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sandra

Oct 25
2

Brittany Ferries Unveils Hybrid-Powered SAINT-MALO Ahead of 2025 Launch

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Brittany Ferries has taken delivery of its first hybrid-powered ferry, running on LNG and electricity. Chartered by Somabret, a consortium uniting the Brittany Region and its four departments, this vessel is set to enter service in February 2025 on the daily route between Saint-Malo and Portsmouth.

The ferry, built for owner Stena RoRo, now bears the Brittany Ferries logo and is awaiting final administrative steps before flying the French flag.

A significant green revolution is underway for Brittany’s ports. By using LNG instead of marine gas oil, the ferry will significantly cut local emissions. Additionally, CO2 emissions are expected to drop by 20-25%. The optimised hybrid system, coupled with the electrification of the ports, will further decrease overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, allowing the ferry to operate emission-free while entering and leaving Saint-Malo.

Looking ahead, Brittany Ferries has also trialled the use of bio-LNG on two ships in Santander, Spain. This renewable energy source, derived from organic waste, can reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 100% compared to conventional LNG. The switch to bio-LNG requires no modifications to the ships’ engines and does not compromise their performance, making it a promising solution for the future of green maritime transport.

Before the Saint-Malo ferry begins service on 12 February 2025, several tasks remain. These include port tests, the validation of LNG refuelling procedures, and the installation of IT and commercial systems. Crews will also undergo mandatory training. Additionally, as is tradition with Brittany Ferries, contemporary artists have been commissioned to create approximately 400 artworks that will be displayed throughout the ship.

Oct 25
2

Six Shipyards for Seven New Ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Network

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

The procurement of seven new electric ferries to help support Scottish island communities and improve the resilience of the Clyde and Hebrides network is progressing to Invite to Tender.

The first stage of the competitive tender process assessed shipyards interested in bidding for the contract against specific criteria including facilities, capacities and capabilities to take on the project. The following six yards have been selected to progress to Invite to Tender stage:

  • Asenav S.A. (Chile)
  • Cammell Laird (UK)
  • Cemre Marin Endustri A.S (Türkiye)
  • Damen Offshore & Specialised Vessels. (Multinational)
  • Ferguson Marine (Commercial) Ltd (UK)
  • Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. (Poland)

Estimated costs for Phase 1 of the Small Vessels Replacement Programme are around £175 million, which includes allowances for the seven vessels as well as port improvements and shore power upgrades.

The tender returns are expected by January 2025, with a view to awarding the contract in March 2025.

Source: Transport Scotland

Oct 25
2

Green Corridor between Port Of Holyhead and Dublin Port Moves One Step Closer Following Funding Boost

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

The Green Corridor initiative, a collaboration between the ports of Holyhead and Dublin with ferry operators, Stena Line and Irish Ferries, and supported by the environmental consultancy Ricardo, Maynooth University and EDF, has received £122,303 in grant funding from the International Green Corridor Fund, towards the total project investment.

Source: Stena Line UK

Oct 25
2

Building Permit Granted for Ferry Terminal

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

The new passenger terminal and associated passenger bridges of the Ferry Terminal Turku project have been granted a building permit, marking a significant milestone for the project. The permit was issued by the Turku City Building and Permit Committee at their meeting on Thursday, October 10th.

Construction of the terminal is set to begin at the start of 2025, with an estimated completion date in 2027. Tallink Silja will start using the terminal as soon as it is completed, and Viking Line will follow once the work on the second pier is finished in 2027.

Source: Port of Turku

Oct 25
2

Port of Antwerp Bruges: Unaccompanied RoRo on the Rise

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Port of Antwerp Bruges published its results for the first nine months, and what we are particularly interested in are the ferry statistics.

The RoRo ferries operating from Zeebrugge saw an increase of 2.8% in unaccompanied cargo throughput (excluding containers). The 4.1% decline in traffic to and from the UK was offset by substantial growth in throughput to Spain and Portugal (+35.7%), Scandinavia (+16.7%), and Ireland (+2.2%).

Overall RoRo (including the massive amount of PCTC’s) traffic dropped by 5.5%, primarily due to reduced imports rather than increased customer demand, which eased pressure on car terminals.

Transport equipment throughput declined by 13.3%, high & heavy vehicles by 23.5%, trucks by 10.3%, and used cars by 42.6%.

New car shipments, which had surged in 2022 and 2023, decreased by 11.4% in the first three quarters of this year.

Source: Newsroom Port of Antwerp Bruges

Oct 25
2

Tallink Grupp Signs Agreement To Extend Charter Of Vessel Galaxy I To The Netherlands

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Tallink Grupp has announced signing an agreement with Dutch company Slaapschepen Public BV for the extension of the charter contract for its vessel Galaxy I. The vessel has been chartered to the Netherlands since September 2022, and currently provides temporary accommodation for asylum seekers in Amsterdam. According to the new agreement, the charter of the vessel has been extended by another year from October 2024, with the possibility to extend the agreement by a further 6+6 months after that.

In addition to Galaxy I, the company’s vessel Silja Europa is currently also chartered to the Netherlands until the end of 2024, also providing accommodation for asylum seekers in the City of Rotterdam.

Photo Marko Stampehl.

Oct 25
2

RoPax LAMPEDUSA Sold by Siremar (Caronte & Tourist)

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

The Sicilian ferry company Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori has just sold the 51-year-old ferry LAMPEDUSA, as confirmed by CEO Lorenzo Matacena to Ferry Shipping News. The ship had already been replaced on the routes operated by Siremar with the ferry Las Palmas, purchased last spring from Trasmediterranea.

LAMPEDUSA has been acquired by a Turkish operator and will continue in service, thus avoiding a dismantling yard.

Built in Italy by Cantiere Navale Orlando, the ferry has a gross tonnage of over 9,000 tonnes, a length of 125 metres, a width of 18 metres, a speed of 15 knots, and a cargo capacity of around 200 cars and 800 passengers. In April 2015, LAMPEDUSA was sold to Traghetti delle Isole, which was taken over by Caronte & Tourist in 2020.

Oct 25
2

ARIES to Leave GNV’s Fleet and Bound for Scrap in Turkey

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed to Ferry Shipping News that GNV ARIES is now en route to the port of Piraeus and will subsequently reach a dismantling yard in Turkey, after being sold for scrap by Grandi Navi Veloci.

The Genoa-based, MSC-controlled company has recently taken delivery of the newly built GNV Polaris and, on that occasion, confirmed that it will progressively retire older and underperforming vessels.

GNV Aries was built in 1987 and was purchased by MSC Group as Pride of York from P&O Ferries in 2021. It could accommodate up to 850 passengers and had 2,250 lane metres of space for rolling cargo and cars in its garage. The sale price has not been disclosed.

Oct 25
2

In the Media

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

“The Transport Network Must Be Developed Across Europe”

Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), expressed concern over the EU Commission’s potential restructuring of its budget framework, which could shift EU funding control to individual member states. She fears this could undermine a European approach to transport policy, as countries might prioritise local projects, like roads, over critical cross-border infrastructure, such as ports or rail connections.

Despite the EU’s existing guidelines for the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), Ryckbost stresses that coordinated European investment is essential for an integrated transport network, ensuring optimal connections that serve the entire EU, not just individual countries.

While she acknowledges the need to streamline EU programmes, she highlights the importance of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which funds key infrastructure projects. Ryckbost believes this targeted approach must continue to ensure the development of essential transport links, like hinterland connections for major ports, which benefit all of Europe.

Source: DVZ

Oct 25
2

ESPO’s Environmental Report 2024: Climate change more than ever a priority for Europe’s ports

By | 2024 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

One of the main features of this report remains the Top 10 of environmental priorities, a list which sheds light on the environmental challenges faced by European ports. This ranking provides both ESPO and European policymakers with the critical insights needed to make well-informed decisions. For the third consecutive year, climate change maintains its position as the foremost environmental concern for European ports.

Apart from climate change, other key priorities in the sector shifted, with energy efficiency taking the second position and air quality moving to third, compared to the 2023 report.

Together, these three form a trio of critical environmental concerns for ports in the region.

Climate change adaptation is increasingly important, with 64% of ports reporting climate-related operational challenges, an increase from 47% last year. Additionally, 73% of ports are working to enhance the resilience of existing infrastructure, while 86% are integrating climate adaptation into new projects.

Notably, water-related port development has maintained its position from last year’s report, continuing to rank among the Top 10 priorities for the second consecutive year.

Click here to see the report