The European Commission has confirmed that it will delay the roll out of the EU new Entry/Exit System (EES) from April 2026 until September due to the growing concerns of summer travel chaos.
Ports of Stockholm is closing 2025 with stable cargo volumes and rising passenger numbers across both ferry and cruise operations.
Key points:
- Total cargo throughput reached nearly 5 million tonnes, showing a marginal increase year-on-year.
- Ferry passenger traffic grew by around 2% compared with 2024.
- Almost 7 million passengers travelled on Baltic Sea ferry services.
- Cruise activity remained strong, confirming Stockholm’s position as the Baltic Sea’s leading cruise destination.
- In 2025, 136 cruise vessels called at Stockholm and Nynäshamn.
- Cruise passenger numbers rose to 256,000, up 30% compared with 2024.
- Winter cruising continued to develop, with monthly calls from November to March, supporting Stockholm’s ambition as a year-round destination.
Ports of Stockholm underlined the importance of stable freight flows for regional supply, particularly for the construction sector in the Mälaren region.
Photo: Ports of Stockholm/Per-Erik Adamsson
IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) has finalised a workplan to develop a safety regulatory framework for ships using new technologies and alternative fuels to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Key points:
- The draft workplan will be submitted to MSC 111 for approval in May 2026.
- Regulatory work will cover safety rules linked to:
- Nuclear power
- Wind propulsion and wind-assisted power
- Lithium-ion batteries and swappable battery containers
Link: https://www.imo.org
Port of Ystad has appointed Veronika Leo as its new Managing Director. She succeeds Björn Boström, who is stepping down after 17 years in the role.
Leo has been the port’s Financial Manager for the past five years. The Supervisory Board highlighted her strong industry insight and leadership skills as key reasons for the internal appointment.
The transition began at the turn of the year, with Boström taking on a Senior Advisor role until March.
The Port of Ystad continues to expand its strategic role in Swedish and regional ferry logistics:
- Sweden’s second largest railway ferry port
- Third largest ferry passenger port
- Key hub for RoRo and freight flows
- Only direct daily rail ferry connection between Sweden and Poland
Molslinjen has started the process of recruiting a new CEO.
Kristian Durhuus will step down after nearly three years in the role.
- Durhuus became CEO in March 2023 following Molslinjen’s acquisition of ForSea, now Øresundslinjen.
- Owners Nordic Ferry Infrastructure (NFI) say the next development phase requires a different leadership profile.
- Major strategic projects are completed or well underway, including:
- Full integration of Øresundslinjen
- New electric ferries in operation on Alslinjen and Samsølinjen
- Construction of three battery-powered catamarans in Australia
- Electrification of Kattegat services is now in progress.
- Carsten Jensen, CEO of NFI, will serve as interim CEO until a successor is appointed.
Durhuus said he is proud to have contributed to what he described as the world’s largest electrification project at sea.
Stena RoRo has placed an order for 2 next-generation C-FLEXER RoRo vessels (+4 options)
The vessels are designed to meet future regulatory and fuel requirements.
Key points:
- Yard: China Merchants Industry Weihai
- Developed by Stena RoRo in close cooperation with NAOS Ship and Boat Design
- Multi-fuel engines prepared for low-carbon fuels
- Battery-hybrid readiness included in the design
- Focus on efficiency and operational flexibility
- Delivery in March and June 2029 respectively. The optional vessels will be delivered at three-month intervals thereafter.
- Length: 200m | Beam: 31m | Dwt: about 15,000 ton | Draft: 7,5 m |Speed: 21 knots
- Capacity depends on configuration 3-deck version: 3,400 lane metres or 4-deck version: 4,750 lane metres
Source: Stena RoRo Illustration Peter Mild
An agreement was officially signed on 27 January at the headquarters of Polska Żegluga Morska P.P., confirming the acquisition of shares in POLSCA S.A.
The signing marks an important milestone for ferry transport cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, reflecting a shared strategy for future market development.
The shareholders of POLSCA S.A. are:
- Polska Żegluga Morska Group (shipowner Unity Line)
- Hass Holding (shipowner EuroAfrica)
- Polska Żegluga Bałtycka S.A. (shipowner Polferries)
The partners emphasised that the cooperation represents a long-term commitment to modern ferry shipping and the strengthening of connections between people, markets, and ports across the Baltic.
Source: LinkedIn statement, 27 January 2026.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IOMSPC) has launched an online public consultation as planning progresses for the next vessel to join its fleet, due to enter service in 2030.
The ship will replace HSC MANANNAN, which has operated with the company since 2009.
IOMSPC stressed that the newbuild will not be a like-for-like replacement, reflecting changes in technology, regulations, and evolving customer expectations.
The consultation is being carried out via an online survey, with further project details to be released at a later stage.
New Vessel Public Consultation Survey
Photo: Philpos, Wikipedia
The new RoRo vessel currently under construction at CANTIERE NAVALE VISENTINI in Italy will be named GRENDI HORIZON. Delivery is expected before next summer.
The Musso family-controlled shipping line will take delivery of its fifth ship in June, under a five-year time charter.
The newbuild will offer 3,000 lane metres of capacity. It will strengthen Grendi’s RoRo services on national and international routes.
GRENDI HORIZON will be:
- Equipped with a scrubber
- Methanol-ready
- Cold ironing-ready
- Operated under a European flag with a European crew
The ship’s name was chosen through an online vote involving employees, partners, and customers.
At Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China, GNV, a subsidiary of the MSC Group, has taken delivery of GNV AURORA.
As the second LNG-powered unit in the fleet, and the final vessel of GNV’s first fleet renewal phase, GNV AURORA is scheduled to enter active service at the beginning of April 2026.
The ship will be deployed on the vital Genoa–Palermo route, a move GNV says will “strengthen the national network and support more efficient management of traffic flows”.
Technical Details
- Gross tonnage: 52,300 GT
- Length / beam: 218 m / 29.6 m
- Max speed: 25 knots
- Passenger capacity: 1,785 (420+ cabins)
- Cargo capacity: 2,770 lane metres
- Propulsion: LNG dual-fuel
While the delivery of GNV AURORA closes the first chapter of fleet renewal, GNV’s modernisation is far from over. The company has already confirmed a second phase involving four additional LNG-powered vessels, with deliveries starting in late 2027.
These next-generation ships will be even larger, with a projected:
- Increased size: 71,300 GT (up from 52,300 GT)
- Enhanced capacity: 2,500 passengers and 3,500 lane metres of garage space
- Strategic goal: reaching a total of eight new LNG-ready units by 2030, to modernise the “Motorways of the Sea” infrastructure