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sandra

Oct 10
Love3

WALLENIUS SOL Takes Key Step With Liquefied Biogas

By 2025 Newsletter week 41

WALLENIUS SOL has started using Liquefied Biogas (LBG) in its BALTIC ENABLER and BOTNIA ENABLER multi-fuel vessels, following a new agreement with energy company Gasum.

  • The deal enables LBG supply through Gasum’s pooling system, supporting the use of renewable fuels at scale in shipping.
  • LBG, produced from organic waste, is chemically identical to LNG and can be used directly in existing dual-fuel engines.
  • The switch allows WALLENIUS SOL’s customers to reduce Scope 3 emissions. The LBG is RED II certified and ISCC traceable.
  • The first bunkerings took place in early October.

Rebecca Tagaeus, Sustainability Officer at WALLENIUS SOL, said the move is proof that the company’s Climate Roadmap is delivering tangible results and supporting customers’ climate goals.

Gasum’s Jacob Granqvist called pooling “a brilliant and easy opportunity” for maritime actors to join forces in reducing emissions.

Oct 10
Love3

GNV Polaris to Return to China for Upgrade

By 2025 Newsletter week 41

The newly delivered GNV POLARIS will soon head back to the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China to increase passenger capacity ahead of next summer.

The first in a planned series of eight RoPax units, POLARIS will gain 132 additional cabins — bringing the total from 239 to 371 — aligning her design with GNV ORION and the upcoming GNV VIRGO, expected before year-end.

A spokesperson confirmed to Ferry Shipping News that the decision stems from a design variation planned for all new vessels. The company prioritised getting POLARIS into service quickly, with the refit scheduled to begin early next year. The ship will return to Italy in time for the 2026 summer season.

Oct 10
Love3

Food Waste Halved on Viking Line’s Turku Vessels

By 2025 Newsletter week 41
  • Viking Line has nearly halved food waste on VIKING GLORY and VIKING GRACE through data, staff engagement and passenger awareness.
  • Waste fell from 137 g to 77 g per passenger in less than a year, far exceeding the target of 100 g.
  • The project began in autumn 2024 with support from Generation Waste, which provided monitoring technology and training.
  • Staff now use ingredients more efficiently — even root ends, tomato stalks and leftover croissants are reused in new dishes.
  • A survey of 2,000 Finns found that 58% value restaurants cutting waste and emissions, and 64% prefer locally sourced food.
  • Remaining food waste from VIKING GRACE, VIKING GLORY and VIKING XPRS is converted into biogas, a carbon-neutral fuel also used on the Turku route.
Oct 10
Love3

CORSICA EXPRESS THREE Sold by BluNavy to Pikessea Shipping Ltd

By 2025 Newsletter week 41

A few months after CORSICA EXPRESS THREE was sold by Corsica Ferries to BluNavy (BN di Navigazione), the fast ferry has changed hands again. Sources familiar with the matter told Ferry Shipping News that the vessel has been acquired by the Cyprus-based company Pikessea Shipping Ltd.

The sale price has not been disclosed, but BluNavy reportedly purchased the vessel for about EUR 3 million earlier this year from Corsica Ferries.

Built in 1996 by Rodriquez Shipyard, the mono-hull fast ferry measures 103 metres in length, 15 metres in width, and reaches a speed of 37 knots. She can accommodate more than 500 passengers and 150 cars, and was recently operating on the Piombino–Portoferraio and Piombino–Bastia routes in Italy.

Oct 10
Love4

SANTA CRUZ (ex MOBY CORSE) to Be Sold at Auction in Italy

By 2025 Newsletter week 41

The RoPax ferry SANTA CRUZ (ex MOBY CORSE), which has been inactive for about a year in the port of Genoa, is to be sold at auction in Italy. The Court of Genoa has appointed surveyor Federico Sommella to value the ship, while Fertonani Shipbrokers (Andrea Fertonani) has been tasked with finding a buyer.

Among the creditors are crew members, the Genoa-based ship repair company Ente Bacini, and several other parties. The sale procedure is expected to be completed within the next two to three months.

SANTA CRUZ is owned by Ferry Med Srl, controlled by Stergulc Rihard, former Managing Director of Trans Europe Shipping Lines. The vessel had been expected to be chartered to the new company L’Aures for routes to and from Algeria.

Built in 1978 by Aalborg Værft A/S in Denmark, the ferry has a gross tonnage of 19,593 tons and can carry 1,200 passengers and 450 cars, with 810 lane metres of garage capacity.

Oct 03
Love3

Attica Group H1 2025 Financial Results

By 2025 Newsletter week 40
  • Revenue: €326.6m (+3% vs H1 2024).
  • EBITDA: €4.1m (down from €19.5m).
  • Net Results: Loss of €52.3m (incl. €17.3m non-recurring costs) vs loss of €23.8m in H1 2024.
  • Operating Costs: €321.0m (+14%), mainly due to emission allowances, regulatory compliance, inflation, and payroll.
  • Cash: €78.6m (31.06.2025).
  • Investments: €46.5m in fleet energy upgrades and hotel renovations.

Traffic Volumes

  • 7m passengers (-3.6%).
  • 456k private vehicles (-1.3%).
  • 276k freight units (+3.8%).
  • 8,272 sailings (-1.6%).

Fleet & Strategy

  • 37 vessels: 25 RoPax, 10 highspeed, 2 RoRo.
  • New E-Flexer vessels on order with hybrid propulsion.
  • Sale and recycling of older vessels, reducing average fleet age to 24.9 years.
  • Ongoing hotel investments in Tinos and Naxos.
  • Digitalisation (Seanthesis project) to enhance passenger services.

Outlook

  • Inflation and geopolitical uncertainty impacting traffic.
  • Despite higher environmental costs, ticket prices largely unchanged to stimulate demand.
  • Management focused on cost optimisation, revenue growth, and sustainable development.

Source: Attica Group

Oct 03
Love3

Red Funnel Ferries Acquired by Njord Partners

By 2025 Newsletter week 40

Red Funnel Ferries Limited, the historic operator linking Southampton and the Isle of Wight for 164 years, has been acquired by Njord Partners, a London-based special situations investment firm [according to their website]. The ferry company recently experienced headwinds.

Njord Partners sees the acquisition as a compelling opportunity to unlock value through targeted capital deployment and operational improvements. The investment aligns with their wider strategy of revitalising core UK infrastructure assets while delivering sustainable returns for stakeholders.

Njord Partners also have Ambassador Cruise Line and Geoquip Marine in their portfolio.

Red Funnel CEO Fran Collins welcomed the deal, noting it marks the beginning of a new chapter in which Red Funnel can strengthen its services with the support of Njord Partners.

Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson calls it “a bad day for the island” [Facebook]. He, and others, are worried about ticket prices. “The Government must step in,” he says.

Vectis Ferries, a consortium with local maritime experts and former Red Funnel executives, had earlier submitted a £100 million bid to take over Red Funnel. It was rejected.

Oct 03
Love3

Tallink Grupp’s traffic volumes report for September and Q3 2025 September 2025

By 2025 Newsletter week 40

September 2025

  • Passengers: 387,482 (↓ 4.1% vs Sept 2024)
  • Cargo units: 21,269 (↓ 8.2%)
  • Passenger vehicles: 55,973 (↓ 5.9%)

Q3 2025 (July–September)

  • Passengers: 1,766,335 (↑ 3.0% vs Q3 2024)
  • Cargo units: 60,306 (↓ 9.8%)
  • Passenger vehicles: 251,751 (↑ 0.4%)

By Route (Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024):

  • Finland–Sweden:
    • Passengers: ↓ 1.4% (435,770)
    • Cargo: ↓ 17.6% (7,891)
    • Vehicles: ↑ 2.5% (30,107)
  • Estonia–Finland:
    • Passengers: ↑ 10.1% (1,166,278)
    • Cargo: ↓ 8.2% (44,388)
    • Vehicles: ↑ 0.2% (208,228)
  • Estonia–Sweden:
    • Passengers: ↓ 23.5% (164,287)
    • Cargo: ↓ 10.0% (8,027)
    • Vehicles: ↓ 1.0% (13,416)

Operational Notes:

  • Finland–Sweden: Operated by SILJA SERENADE, SILJA SYMPHONY, BALTIC PRINCESS.
  • Estonia–Finland: Operated by MYSTAR, MEGASTAR (2 days off in Sept for maintenance), VICTORIA I.
  • Estonia–Sweden: Operated by BALTIC QUEEN (Tallinn–Stockholm) and SUPERFAST IX (Paldiski–Kapellskär). Previous year had additional vessels on this route.

Other Events:

  • Charter of GALAXY I extended until October 2026, with an additional 12-month extension option.

Source PDF Tallink Grupp