Source: Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten (in Dutch)
Three new Motorways of the Seas have been declared eligible for government funding under Italy’s Sea Modal Shift programme (formerly Marebonus).
Sea Modal Shift 3 new routes
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport approved requests submitted by shipping companies for the following routes:
The Sea Modal Shift incentive scheme, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, supports combined road–sea transport.
Key elements include:
The Scottish Government has announced a series of investments in ferry infrastructure, including the acquisition of Ardrossan Harbour and major redevelopment plans for Port Ellen.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop told Parliament that negotiations and legal agreements for the purchase of Ardrossan Harbour have been successfully concluded. The harbour will be formally acquired by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) later this month.
Bringing Ardrossan into public ownership is intended to secure its role as the main mainland port for CalMac services to Arran. According to the government, CMAL is already assessing short-term works to ensure resilient ferry operations while CALEDONIAN ISLES continues to operate from the port. The government also confirmed its commitment to funding a two-port service until major redevelopment works begin.
In addition, the Scottish Government has allocated more than GBP 107 million for the redevelopment of Port Ellen on Islay. The project will include new terminal facilities and an expanded marshalling area, aimed at increasing capacity and improving the passenger experience.
Source: https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/investment-in-ferries-and-ports/
SCA will reorganise its RoRo logistics from 1 October 2026, changing sailing patterns and port usage between Umeå and Piteå. The measures aim to improve efficiency and cut vessel emissions by about 40%.
Key port-related changes
Impact on ports
Traffic patterns on Denmark’s domestic ferry network followed the usual winter trend in February 2026. Cold weather and snow reduced travel demand across most routes. Molslinjen reported slight traffic declines on all routes except the Kattegat crossings.
“The routes across the Kattegat stand out significantly. This time we believe we can thank the winter weather for the good numbers, somewhat unusually,” said Molslinjen’s Commercial Director, Lucas Kragh.
Cold temperatures appear to have boosted ferry demand among electric vehicle (EV) drivers. Low temperatures reduce battery range, encouraging drivers to limit road kilometres.
The share of EVs on MOLSLINJEN ferries rose sharply:
As a result, total traffic across the Kattegat increased 3.9% year-on-year in February.
At the end of January, Molslinjen commissioned eight new superchargers with 16 charging points at the Port of Aarhus. EV drivers can recharge while waiting for departure, reducing range concerns before continuing their journey across Zealand.
Molslinjen plans to install a similar number of charging stations at the Port of Odden. The new facilities are expected to enter service by the end of March 2026.
On 4 March, the European Commission launched its EU Ports Strategy, a 28-page framework outlining the future direction of Europe’s ports.
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomed the document as a good starting point for further dialogue with EU institutions. The strategy recognises the growing complexity of ports, which must combine their role as competitive trade hubs with public service responsibilities supporting Europe’s economic resilience.
ESPO particularly welcomed:
At the same time, ESPO warned against adding extra sector-specific regulatory layers or increasing reporting obligations for ports.
The organisation also called for further dialogue on shipping decarbonisation, the evolution of bunkering markets, and the role ports should play in the energy transition.
Baleària closed 2025 with strong financial results, surpassing €800 million in turnover and significantly improving profitability, driven largely by the expansion of its international routes.
Key Financial Highlights
President Adolfo Utor said the results confirm the robustness of the company’s business model and its ability to grow sustainably in a competitive market.
International Routes Gain Strategic Weight
In revenue terms, North African connections—both domestic and international—now contribute a share comparable to that of the Balearic Islands, traditionally Baleària’s core market.
Traffic figures underline the shift:
Morocco has consolidated its position as Baleària’s main international market. The 15-year concession for the Tarifa–Tangier City route has strengthened passenger flows, while new services to Algeria have further expanded the company’s North African footprint.
Over the past decade, Baleària has doubled its passenger volumes.
Cargo: A Structural Pillar
Cargo remains central to the business model:
Morocco accounts for 29% of total cargo volume, emerging as a strategic logistics hub. The Balearic Islands remain the largest single market, with 59% of cargo volumes.
Operational Efficiency Offsets Regulatory Costs
Fleet expansion and new route launches improved productivity and operational efficiency, allowing Baleària to absorb rising environmental compliance costs without compromising profitability.
The company sailed 1.9 million miles in 2025 (+1.5%), while maintaining tight cost control.
Sustainability And Emissions Reduction
Baleària continues to position sustainability as a competitive lever:
The use of natural gas and biogas, alongside eco-efficiency investments, has enabled measurable progress despite higher activity levels.
Strategic Outlook
With EBITDA growth outpacing turnover and international routes gaining importance, Baleària has reinforced its standing in the European ferry market.
The company combines geographic diversification, cargo resilience, and decarbonisation efforts, positioning itself for further expansion while maintaining financial discipline.
Havila Voyages has published its Q4 2025 figures, confirming a strong second full year with all four ships in operation on the Norwegian coastal route.
Key Financials 2025
The improvement reflects stronger demand, pricing power, and operational stability.
Operational Performance
CEO Bent Martini highlighted the significance of full-year uptime along the demanding Norwegian coast, calling it “an achievement everyone in the company should be proud of.”
Havila Voyages operates under a “power-by-the-hour” agreement with Kongsberg Maritime, ensuring 24/7 monitoring and proactive technical follow-up. This supports high technical reliability and predictable service delivery under the public-service contract.
Costs And Investments
Total operating expenses reached NOK 1.402 billion (2024: NOK 1.310 billion), an increase of around 7%.
Cost drivers included:
The company deliberately increased marketing investments in Q4 to strengthen forward bookings. As a result, short-term profitability softened, but early indicators for 2026 are positive.
More than 63% of total 2026 capacity is already sold.
Outlook
Following refinancing in 2024, management expects further improvement in both revenue and profitability in 2026.
The combination of stable operations, higher yields, and continued emissions reductions positions Havila Voyages for stronger financial performance going forward.
Download the report here
