The Port of Tilbury has announced the approval of an expansion plan for the development of Tilbury3.
The site totals 143 acres and will support the long-term growth of trade within the Port of London.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has completed the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour on behalf of the Scottish Government on 18 March 2026.
The acquisition from Peel Ports Group includes the full harbour area, the Arran and Irish berths, linkspans, car park and marshalling area, part of the land currently used by the boatyard, and the approach road.
Scotia Prince Cruises has unveiled plans to revive the Portsmouth–Nova Scotia ferry with a focus on affordable, overnight passenger and freight services. The proposed operation will feature enhanced onboard amenities and seasonal deployment, while addressing past operational challenges. The company intends to bid for the upcoming Nova Scotia RFP, positioning the project as a boost for regional connectivity, tourism, and trade.
The route connects:
- Portsmouth, New Hampshire – United States
- Yarmouth, Nova Scotia – Canada
Website Scotia Prince Cruises
The European Commission adopted the 15th edition of the European List of Ship Recycling Facilities on 27 February.
- A first German yard has been added, located in Emden.
- Four EU yards have been re-approved in Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, and Spain.
- One yard in Türkiye also had its authorisation renewed.
Three shipyards were removed from the list:
- A Finnish yard opted not to renew its authorisation.
- A yard in Northern Ireland failed to provide the required renewal information.
- Another yard in Türkiye was found non-compliant with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, notably on shoreline protection.
The updated European List now contains 41 ship recycling facilities: 30 in Europe (EU, Norway and the UK), 10 in Türkiye and 1 in the United States. Several of these shipyards can recycle large vessels.
Source: European Commission (includes link to list)
- Stena Line research at Crufts 2026 shows 94% of respondents want to travel with pets
- 67% have already travelled with pets; over 72,000 pets carried on the Irish Sea in 2025
- Concerns remain: 27%+ cite pet comfort and welfare as barriers
- 97% gain confidence from Stena Line working with experts via its Happy Pet Panel
- Tripadvisor reports +260% YoY growth in demand for dog-friendly activities for 2026
Pet travel is moving firmly into the mainstream, with owners increasingly unwilling to leave animals behind. Ferry travel ranks as the second most popular option (22%), after car travel.
To address concerns, Stena Line has launched its Happy Pet Panel, bringing together experts, travellers, and staff to improve onboard pet facilities.
Pet-friendly cabins—available on key Irish Sea routes—are seen as the most attractive option, supporting the shift towards more comfortable and accessible pet travel.
Gotlandsbolaget reported higher revenue in 2025 but a sharp drop in earnings, reflecting the integration of new businesses, especially Go Nordic Cruiseline.
Full Year 2025
- Revenue: SEK 3,744.6 million (2024: SEK 2,622.0 million)
- Costs: SEK -3,696.4 million (2024: SEK -2,367.8 million)
- Adjusted operating profit: SEK 35.3 million (2024: SEK 218.2 million)
- Net result after tax: SEK -87.3 million (2024: SEK 375.9 million)
The decline mainly reflects high start-up costs and lower-than-expected revenues at Go Nordic Cruiseline, which took over the Oslo–Copenhagen route on 31 October 2024.
Dockings and upgrades of NORDIC PEARL and NORDIC CROWN during Q1 also reduced capacity.
Fourth Quarter 2025
- Revenue: SEK 759.3 million (2024: SEK 630.3 million)
- Adjusted operating result: SEK -122.2 million (2024: SEK -60.6 million)
- Net result after tax: SEK -120.2 million (2024: SEK 53.1 million)
The quarter was negatively affected by the performance of Go Nordic Cruiseline.
Business Unit Highlights
Go Nordic Cruiseline
- 711,700 passengers in 2025
- Revenue performance below expectations, especially onboard sales
- Both ships refurbished and cabins rebuilt early in the year
- New commercial platform implemented in January 2026
Gotland Alandia Cruises (BIRKA GOTLAND)
- 570,500 passengers in 2025
- Improved results compared with the 2024 start-up year
- Performance still below expectations
Destination Gotland
- Passenger volumes up 1.6% to 1,758,500 single journeys
- Travel by Gotland residents increased 4.4%
Financial Position
Financial income fell to SEK -73.0 million (2024: SEK 289.4 million).
The change mainly reflects unrealised currency losses on USD holdings related to the construction of HORIZON X. The weaker USD also reduces the vessel’s acquisition cost in SEK.
Strategic Developments
Key initiatives include:
- Investment in Brommaflyg to secure air links between Gotland and mainland Sweden
- Construction progressing on GOTLAND HORIZON X, with hull construction starting in February 2026
- Investment in biogas production near Eskilstuna, expected to start operations in Q3 2026
- Destination Gotland preparing for the new concession period 2027–2035, which will bring SEK 220 million less annual compensation
To increase car capacity, VISBY is currently being fitted with hanging decks, adding about 20% vehicle capacity.
Outlook
CEO Björn Nilsson describes 2025 as a year of integration and preparation.
With systems integration completed and new commercial platforms in place, the company expects higher volumes and improved profitability from 2026 onwards. The group also signals continued interest in acquisitions and investments in sustainable shipping.
The year-end report is here (in Swedish)
Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö has revised its outlook for 2026.
- In the Year-end Report (26 February 2026), the company said it expected a continued stable result in 2026, despite geopolitical uncertainty.
- However, in the financial statements signed on 12 March 2026, the wording changed.
- The Board now states that geopolitical uncertainty combined with expected lower capital gains is estimated to result in a lower result in 2026.
The adjustment suggests a more cautious view compared with the guidance given only two weeks earlier.
Source: Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö, press release 12 March 2026.
Brittany Ferries has taken ownership of two hybrid ferries it had previously chartered from Stena RoRo, reinforcing its fleet renewal strategy and long-term industrial transformation.
The acquisition of SAINT-MALO and GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE was carried out through Somabret and Somanor, two Brittany Ferries subsidiaries jointly owned with the regional authorities of Brittany and Normandy.
The acquisition was supported by Caisse des Dépôts / Banque des Territoires and arranged by Crédit Agricole CIB and Crédit Agricole du Finistère. The financial structure was developed over several months with all partners and balances industrial ambition, financial discipline and sustainability. Legal support was provided by Watson Farley & Williams, Holman Fenwick Willan and Norton Rose Fulbright.
Wasaline reported its best February since the company began operations in 2013, carrying 18,191 passengers, an 11% increase year-on-year.
A key driver behind the growth is the popularity of “ice cruises”, attracting groups from across Europe eager to experience the winter scenery of the Kvarken region. The company notes a particularly strong interest from German travel groups, reflecting several years of targeted marketing in European markets.
Wasaline says international guests have responded positively to both the onboard service and the winter travel experience.
Due to rising energy prices, the company will introduce minor timetable adjustments in April. The ferry AURORA BOTNIA will continue operating the Tuesday schedule, while Monday departures from Umeå will take place 30 minutes earlier, allowing the vessel to sail slightly slower and reduce energy consumption.
DFDS reported solid freight performance in February 2026, while passenger numbers fell due to weather disruptions and fewer sailings.
Freight
- Total freight volumes reached 3.5m lane metres, +3.0% vs February 2025 (+1.6% adjusted for route changes).
- North Sea: Volumes above 2025, driven by stronger flows between the Continent and the UK.
- Mediterranean: Volumes higher on most routes despite capacity reductions on one route.
- Channel: Volumes above 2025 thanks to new Jersey services; Dover Strait remained almost level year-on-year.
- Baltic Sea and Strait of Gibraltar: Both reported higher volumes, despite weather-related sailing cancellations in the Strait.
For the last twelve months, transported freight reached 41.6m lane metres, +0.6% year-on-year (–1.3% adjusted for route changes).
Passengers
- Passenger numbers in February 2026 fell 23.3% to 181,000 (adjusted for route changes).
- The decline reflects unfavourable weather across northern and southern Europe and fewer departures on some routes.
For the last twelve months, passenger numbers decreased to 5.1m from 6.6m in 2025–24 (–5.8% adjusted for route changes).
