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sandra

May 09
3

Irish Continental Group Confident

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

Volumes (Year to date, 3 May 2025)

2025 2024 Change vs 2024
Cars 140,800 151,500 -7.1%
RoRo Freight 259,400 260,900 -0.6%
Container (teu) 132,800 103,300 +28.6%
Terminal Lifts 123,500 112,500 +9.8%

 

Volumes (Since last update, 1 March to 3 May 2025)

2025 2024 Change vs 2024
Cars 91,500 92,100 -0.7%
RoRo Freight 147,200 143,200 +2.8%
Container (teu) 69,000 55,700 +23.9%
Terminal Lifts 66,200 60,400 +9.6%

 

Irish Continental Group (1 January to 30 April 2025)

  • New US tariffs have created uncertainty in some trading flows.
  • Strong business model and balance sheet enable continued expansion.
  • Recent acquisitions include the JAMES JOYCE cruise ferry and an additional container ship.
  • Company capitalises on market weakness to grow on favourable financial terms.
  • Consolidated Group revenue rose by 7.1% to €189.5 million (2024: €177.0 million).

 

Ferries Division Overview (1 January to 30 April 2025)

  • Total revenues: €118.8 million (2024: €119.7 million), slight decline of 0.8% year-on-year
  • Traffic Volumes (year to 3 May 2025):
    • Cars carried: 140,800 (↓ 7.1%)
    • Freight (RoRo units): 259,400 (↓ 0.6%)
  • Early 2025 volumes affected by Holyhead Port closure. Partial reopening in mid-January led to market stabilisation. Full reopening expected on 1 July 2025

Read the trading update here

May 09
3

Finnlines Q1 2025: What Does the new CEO Say?

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

10 key takeaways from Thomas Doepel, President and CEO

  1. Q1 2025 was “quite satisfactory”
    CEO Thomas Doepel reported a solid start to the year, with profitability improved through strategic adjustments made in 2024.
  2. Fleet rationalisation paid off
    By optimising fleet composition and reorganising freight services, Finnlines boosted its profitability despite market challenges.
  3. Falling interest rates supported results
    Alongside operational changes, reduced debt levels and lower interest rates were major contributors to improved financial performance.
  4. Significant growth in earnings
    Revenue rose to EUR 166.0 million (up from EUR 162.2 million), and EBT surged to EUR 7.9 million (from just EUR 0.4 million in Q1 2024).
  5. Solid transport volumes
    In Q1, Finnlines transported:

    • 194,000 cargo units
    • 18,000 cars
    • 297,000 tonnes of non-unitised freight
    • 165,000 passengers
  6. New RoPax ships ordered by parent company
    After the reporting period, the Grimaldi Group announced an order for nine new ro-pax vessels, including three for the Baltic Sea (Helsinki–Travemünde)
  7. Methanol-ready engines for future fleet
    All nine new vessels will be methanol-capable, aligning with Finnlines’ ambition to reach net zero emissions.
  8. Geopolitical tensions remain—but optimism is emerging
    While the situation in Europe remains uncertain, a possible stabilisation in Ukraine could open new growth avenues in Northern Europe.
  9. Germany’s infrastructure push seen as a growth catalyst
    Germany’s EUR 500 billion investment plan is expected to stimulate economic activity—Finnlines aims to capitalise on this as a Baltic Sea leader.
  10. Finnlines well-positioned in the Baltic
    With up to 26 weekly departures between Finland and Germany, and nearly 40 between Sweden and Germany, Finnlines is strategically placed to benefit from any upturn in demand.

Read the Q1 2025 interim report here, by clicking on the cover:

May 09
3

SHIPS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

MSC and GNV Confirm Order for Four Additional LNG-Powered RoPax Ferries

GNV, part of the MSC Group, has officially announced a new order for four additional RoPax vessels to be built by Guangzhou Shipyard International.

Each vessel will:

  • Be powered by LNG
  • Accommodate up to 2,500 people and 3,500 lane metres of cargo
  • Measure 237m in length and 33m in width
  • Have a gross tonnage of 71,300 GT
  • Feature 527 cabins

The first delivery is expected in early 2028, with the remaining ships arriving at six-month intervals. Between 2025 and 2030, GNV’s fleet will be reinforced with a total of eight new-generation vessels.

“Every moment of the journey counts”

GNV has launched a new brand campaign, coinciding with the announcement of eight new vessels joining the fleet by 2030. The campaign reflects a renewed focus on service quality, comfort, and safety—across the entire customer journey.

Developed by Dentsu Creative, the campaign went live on 7 May, the day of the announcement.

May 09
4

Six Shipyards Shortlisted for Cook Strait Ferry Project

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

Six shipbuilders have been shortlisted to deliver the highly anticipated new Cook Strait ferries. The process is being led by Ferry Holdings Limited, a government-established entity tasked with managing contractual negotiations with shipyards and port stakeholders.

Chair Chris Mackenzie confirmed that the company’s management team has invited the selected yards to submit formal bids, with contracts expected to be awarded later this year.

In addition, Ferry Holdings has appointed key advisors to support the procurement process. Naval architecture firm Knud E. Hansen will oversee technical design, while OSK Design will handle the vessel interiors. Legal counsel will be provided by maritime law specialists Holman Fenwick Willan, and BRS Shipbrokers will act as the appointed shipbroker.

May 09
3

Fred. Olsen Express Boosts Freight Capacity with Third RoRo Ship

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

Fred. Olsen Express is set to enhance its cargo operations with the addition of the RoRo BREÑAS CARGO, which will begin service this summer, connecting La Palma with the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote.

With the arrival of BREÑAS CARGO—formerly AKRANES of Smyril Line—the company will operate three RoRo vessels dedicated exclusively to freight transport. These services are managed through Fred. Olsen’s freight division.

May 09
3

CLdN’s DELPHINE Back in Service after the Fire

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

CLdN’s RoRo DELPHINE has completed her first sailing since the onboard fire incident on 16th April. She undertook the overnight voyage between Zeebrugge and Killingholme after being authorised to operate at a reduced capacity (6,000 lane metres vs 8,000 lane metres).

While the official investigation into the cause of the fire remains to be concluded, CLdN can confirm the incident originated from a car unit loaded onboard the ship.

Based on the information gathered so far, CLdN has ruled out a fully electric vehicle (BEV) as the cause of the incident.

May 09
3

Power Update: The Battery Giants (and a Pioneer)

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

Last week, we published the “Battery MWh Top 5”, but we mistakenly omitted HINNØY, the latest ferry from Torghatten Nord. We have now also included CHINA ZORRILLA, which is scheduled for delivery later this year.

Just look at AMPÈRE, the first electric ferry, equipped with only 1 MWh of batteries!

  1. CHINA ZORILLA – 42MWh (Buquebus)
  2. AURORA BOTNIA – 12.6 MWh (Wasaline)
  3. GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE / SAINT-MALO – Stena E-Flexer – 12.0 MWh (Brittany Ferries)
  4. FUTURA – 10 MWh (Scandlines)
  5. HINNØY – 9.6 MWh (Torghatten Nord)
  6. HAVILA CAPELLA / CASTOR – 6.1 MWh (Havila Voyages)
  7. COLOR HYBRID – 4.7 MWh (Color Line)
  8. AMPERE – 1 MWh (Norled)
May 09
3

Scandlines Extends Environmental Partnership with NABU

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

Scandlines has renewed its long-standing cooperation with NABU for another three years, further strengthening its commitment to sustainable ferry operations. Key initiatives include:

  • Supporting the shift to battery-hybrid and fully electric ferries.
  • Reducing underwater noise through advanced thruster technology.
  • Promoting biodiversity at the port of Puttgarden with rewilding and nesting initiatives.
May 09
3

MONTE D’ORO and MÉDITERRANÉE Upgraded for Cleaner Operations

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

In anticipation of the new “ECAMED” (see under “organisations”, MONTE D’ORO and MÉDITERRANÉE have completed scheduled refurbishment works to meet the new requirements.

Corsica Linea has been preparing for this shift for over five years, with a clear focus on reducing the environmental footprint of its fleet while maintaining operational reliability. Measures already in place include:

  • Five vessels equipped with scrubbers
  • Three ships converted to low-sulphur MDO
  • LNG-fuelled newbuilds, with A GALEOTTA delivered in 2023 and a second vessel due in 2026.