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sandra

May 17
3

First Ever Car Train Arrives in Port of Ostend

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

On 15 May 2025, the Port of Ostend welcomed its first ever car train, marking a historic moment in the port’s development. This event also signalled the reactivation of rail freight traffic in the port after more than 15 years, made possible through close collaboration with Infrabel.

The new rail link forms part of Ostend’s strategy to develop a sustainable, intermodal logistics platform, complementing its existing short sea shipping services. The trains will serve Ostend’s Tilbury terminal, connecting directly to various European destinations.

This development underscores Ostend’s ambition to become a major logistics hub, offering efficient and greener alternatives to road transport, and reinforcing its role in the modal shift toward rail and maritime freight.

Photo © Port Ostend

May 17
3

DIGITAL

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

Brittany Ferries and Visit Group Join Forces to Drive Digital Transformation

“Our goal is to increase holiday passenger volumes by 15% over the next five years”

Maria Mathieu, Head of Digital Products at Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries has partnered with Visit Group to modernize its digital booking systems. This collaboration aims to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency by adopting Visit Group’s modular platform. The new system will offer real-time availability and pricing, streamline internal processes, and support Brittany Ferries’ goal of increasing holiday passenger numbers by 15% over the next five years.

Visit Group provides smart software and technology for the experience and hospitality industry- enabling seamless operations, effortless room and ticket sales, tailored packaging of stays with experiences, and consistent revenue growth across channels.

Read more: https://www.visitgroup.com/visit-group-welcomes-brittany-ferries-new-partner-digital-transformation-journey

May 17
3

Flying Fish Welcomes CPAC Systems as Strategic Investor and Partner

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

Flying Fish Maritime Innovations B.V., a Dutch pioneer in digital maritime technology and advice, announced a minority investment from CPAC Systems AB, a subsidiary of the Volvo Group, on May 7th, 2025. CPAC Systems (Sweden) is specialized in developing advanced control and automation systems for marine, construction and commercial vehicle industries. For the Flying Fish team, this step marks the beginning of a broader strategic partnership aimed at accelerating sales growth, product innovation, industrialization, and team development.

Read more: https://www.flying-fish.tech/news

May 17
3

SALES AND MARKETING

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

Eurovision Act KAJ Sells Out Cruise in Record Time
Viking Line’s Dialect Cruise on 18 September with Eurovision act KAJ sold out immediately, prompting a second concert on 19 September aboard VIKING GRACE. With nearly 70 music-themed cruises planned this year, music continues to drive strong demand and premium spending onboard.

Read more: https://news.cision.com/viking-line-abp/r/kaj-fever-on-the-baltic-sea—an-extra-concert-on-viking-grace-september-19-can-now-be-booked,c4148965

May 17
3

IN THE MEDIA

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

InfoPuertos [in Spanish]

Baleària Wants To Acquire Armas To Be a National Shipping Company Serving the Entire Country

The dispute over Armas Trasmediterránea has become a key issue for Spain’s maritime future, particularly for the Canary Islands, where the company symbolises vital regional connectivity. On one side, Baleària, led by Adolfo Utor, is aiming for national dominance by acquiring Armas, while on the other, a Canarian coalition supported by Vicente Boluda is fighting to keep control local—making this more than a business deal, but a turning point for territorial logistics and cohesion.

News.err.ee [link]

Tallink CEO: Finnish tourists haven’t disappeared but fewer trips made to Estonia

In March, Estonian accommodation establishments hosted 19 percent fewer tourists than during the same month last year.

Tallink Group CEO Paavo Nõgene said that Estonia has become an increasingly expensive destination and fewer Finns than before are visiting.

The number of people traveling from Estonia to Finland has also declined, mainly due to a sharp drop in the number of workers commuting to jobs in Finland.

Despite the challenges, Tallink is approaching the summer with optimism.

BBC [link]

Shipyard confirms new delay and cost rise for CalMac ferry

The delivery date for GLEN ROSA, the second of two dual-fuel CalMac ferries being built by the nationalised Ferguson shipyard, has been put back by up to nine months. Delivery April-June 2026 (instead of planned 2018).

May 17
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

The contract for two new vessels for Western Ferries’ Gourock to Dunoon route was formally signed at a ceremony at APCL Cammell Laird’s facility in Birkenhead between Western Ferries’ MD Gordon Ross and APCL Group Chief Technology Officer Linton Roberts on 6th May 2025.

They were joined by Graeme Fletcher, Technical Director, Alistair McLundie, Operations Director, Samantha Proctor, Finance Director and James Harris from Western Ferries and APCL Group CEO David McGinley along with Mike Hill, Managing Director of APCL Cammell Laird.

Facebook Group Irish Ferries Enthusiasts (George Holland)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/568009444784794/

May 09
3

FINANCE FACTS FIGURES

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

DFDS Q1 2025: 10 Key Takeaways from the CEO’s Comments

  1. 2025 is a transitional year
    DFDS is laying the groundwork to improve financial performance after a challenging 2024.
  2. Most business units on track
    The majority of business units are maintaining or improving performance as expected.
  3. Three focus areas are being addressed
    Efforts are underway to:

    • Adapt Mediterranean ferry operations to increased competition
    • Turn around Logistics in Türkiye & Europe South by year-end
    • Delivering on the Logistics turnaround projects initiated in 2024.
  4. Continued negative impact from focus areas
    The earnings drag from the three problem areas persisted into Q1, as anticipated.
  5. Earnings trend improving from March
    Initial signs of improvement emerged in March, thanks to turnaround actions.
  6. Turnaround actions implemented
    DFDS has:

    • Raised prices
    • Adjusted capacity
    • Reduced headcount
    • Shut down unprofitable activities
    • Merged or closed offices.
  7. More improvements expected in Q2 and beyond
    The CEO expects a more visible earnings recovery from Q2 2025 onwards.
  8. Geopolitical tailwinds validate network strategy
    Expansion into nearshoring markets like Türkiye and Morocco is being reinforced by current geopolitical shifts and Europe’s drive for self-reliance.
  9. No short-term economic boost expected
    Muted European growth is anticipated for 2025, with potential risks from shifting US policies. Germany’s stepped-up investment in defence and infrastructure is projected to support European growth, with tangible effects anticipated in 2026.
  10. Stronger financials expected in H2
    Cash flow is improving due to working capital and capex discipline. DFDS expects stronger financial solidity in the second half of the year as earnings rise and debt falls.

Q1 2025

  • Revenue up 8% to DKK 7.5bn. Organic growth was -1%
  • EBIT reduced DKK 317m to DKK -117m
  • Adjusted free cash flow increased DKK 573m to DKK 246m
  • CO2 ferry emission intensity from own fleet lowered 5.9%

Read the Q1 2025 interim report here:

https://www.dfds.com/en/about/investors/reports-and-presentations/q1-report-2025

May 09
3

April Brings Passenger Growth for Tallink

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

In April 2025 AS Tallink Grupp transported:

  • +4.5% passengers = 416,468
  • +9.9% passenger vehicles = 59,770
  • -34.1% cargo units = 21,889

compared to the same period a year ago.

It’s very possible that the improved passenger and passenger vehicle figures for April 2025 are at least partly influenced by the timing of Easter.

Easter is a major holiday period for travel, especially in regions like the Baltics and Nordics.

In 2025, Easter Sunday fell on 20 April, whereas in 2024, it was on 31 March. That means the entire Easter holiday travel period was in April 2025, while in 2024 it mostly fell in March.