On July 18, Minoan Lines’ HSC SANTORINI PALACE entered service on the long Piraeus-Syros-Tinos Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini-Heraklion line.
She was dry docked at Perama a few days before. She is the third large high-speed catamaran that is activated for the summer season 2020.
When Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea will receive the new 3,300 lane meter Visentini vessel on July 30, it will be introduced on the Cadiz – Canary Islands service. It means a 30% increase in capacity.
Electric, Composite And Dangerous Goods
A nice video of BARMEN, world’s first fully electric car ferry, made from composites, and that can transport dangerous goods.
The ferry was built by the Norwegian Måløy shipyard and delivered to Vidar Hop Skyssbåter in 2019.
Austal Australia has celebrated the company’s success in high-speed trimaran technology and Australian shipbuilding capability following a successful side-by-side ‘sprint’ by the 118m BAJAMAR EXPRESS and 83m QUEEN BEETLE trimaran ferries off the coast of Perth, Western Australia.
As BAJAMAR EXPRESS was departing Australia on her delivery voyage to the Canary Islands, she was joined by QUEEN BEETLE undergoing sea trials, in an historic moment capturing two Austal trimaran ferries.
Sundbusserne Opens A New Route Between Toldboden (Copenhagen) and Helsingør
The new Sundbusserne route, which will have three daily departures from Copenhagen and Helsingør, respectively, starts on 17 July.
The Two Options Considered By Onorato To Save Moby And Tirrenia Cin
Some of the documents presented by Moby to the court of Milan –where the ferry company filed for bankruptcy protection—reveal that the Vincenzo Onorato-controlled group is considering two solutions for the debt restructuring with lenders.
In both the cases big creditors will be asked to renounce large part of the sums asked, and to receive the remaining amount with a specific payment agreement scheduled in the coming (probably five) years.
The first option is based on the sale of the harbour tug division (bound for Rimorchiatori Riuniti Panfido for EUR 73 million) and consequently using the amount received to launch a public offer to purchase all the EUR 300 million Senior Secured Notes due 2023.
Until June 8, Moby’s bonds value was 15% of the original value of emission at the Luxembourg stock exchange. To the banks and to the bond holders non interested in this offer, the ferry company intends to propose a rescheduling and postponement of the payments.
The second option foresees a restructuring procedure under art.160 of the Italian insolvency law based on the business continuity and with a partial payment for those creditors with mortgages on the ships and for no less than the fleet value.
Privileged creditors would be totally refunded instead, while unsecured creditors might receive part of their credits with a five years’ time plan.
Few years ago Unitramp Shipbrokers valued Moby group’s fleet (including Tirrenia Cin’s ferries) roughly EUR 1 billion, but updated estimations just delivered by three other shipbrokers (Enrico Scolaro, Brax and Simsonship) say that all the assets may be worth between EUR 449 million and 249 million depending on the sales condition (normal, forced, at auction, etc.).
Last October, Ferry Shipping News exclusively reported that Tirrenia – Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione sold for EUR 12 million, the 27-year old roro BENIAMINO CARNEVALE to a North European buyer.
German ferry company TT Line and Polish operator Unity Line were the two options considered most likely as counterpart from several sources.
As of today, the vessel is still operating for Tirrenia and the reasons why the deal is not completed yet are written in some of the documents presented by Moby to the court of Milan where filed for protection.
The Vincenzo Onorato-controlled company explains that the banks were late at releasing the needed green light and so the terms for the sale expired. Nonetheless Moby added that is still confident to hand over the 1992-built ship as soon as the approval from the court of Milan will arrive.
BENIAMINO CARNEVALE was built by Van Der Giessen-de Noord shipyard (formerly known as VIA ADRIATICO) and has a capacity for 99 passengers and 1,820 lane meters.
According to reliable sources, STENA NOVA (Stena RoRo) is expected to arrive in Greece by the end of the year, in order to be converted at Perama and then chartered to Corsica Ferries (unconfirmed – the company policy is not to comment on this).
The former YAMATO of the Japanese Hankyu Ferry was purchased on February 2019 and replaced on March 10 by the new SETTSU. Since then, she had remained in an anchorage off the coast of Kure awaiting her departure for Europe. In April 14, 2020, she left Kure and a few days later sailed to Labuan (Philippines), where she remains at a warm laid up condition till today. However, due to the pandemic, the plans about her new career were delayed but not cancelled.
Almost ready is the Attica Group’s ro pax SUPERFAST XI, which is undergoing a scrubber conversion at Keratsini dock since March 29, 2020. Her new funnel has already been in place while the final outcome looks great. The popular “red” ship is expected to return at her Adriatic regular service on July 19.
The new Sundbusserne route, which will have three daily departures from Copenhagen and Elsinore, respectively, starts on 17 July.
The route is intended as an extra experience when tourists choose to experience Copenhagen or Helsingborg during the holiday, but commuters are also welcome.
The route will be operated by the passenger-only LEA ELIZABETH, from Wednesdays to Sundays, during summer.
