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sandra

Jun 26
Love3

UK ETS Adds New Compliance Challenge for Cross-Channel Operators

By 2026 Newsletter week 26

From 1 July 2026, the UK will formally begin extending its Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) to the maritime sector, with the wider framework expected to expand to international voyages from 2028 following consultation.

For ferry operators serving routes across the English Channel and the North Sea, the UK ETS adds another regulatory layer alongside the EU ETS and the forthcoming Entry/Exit System (EES). As the UK develops its own carbon-pricing regime for international shipping, operators on UK–EU routes will increasingly need to manage compliance under both UK and EU emissions trading systems.

Read more here 

Jun 26
Love3

Assarmatori: “Italian Fleet Renewal Impossible in Europe”

By 2026 Newsletter week 26

At its annual meeting in Rome, Italian shipowners’ association Assarmatori, whose members include Moby, GNV and several other short-sea ferry operators, criticised a new regulatory measure requiring ETS funds for fleet renewal to be spent exclusively on newbuildings or vessel retrofits at European shipyards.

Calling the geographical restriction “nonsense”, Assarmatori Chairman Stefano Messina said it was the reason why Italy’s 2021–2022 Fleet Renewal Decree largely failed, with only a small portion of the EUR 500 million budget being used.

According to the association, European shipyards lack the capacity to build most commercial vessels, apart from naval ships, cruise vessels and, to a limited extent, ferries. Assarmatori argues that Italian operators can renew their fleets only if they are free to place orders outside Europe.

Jun 19
Love3

Echandia Wins First Order From Incat

By 2026 Newsletter week 25

Echandia will supply its Echandia Core battery system for a new 78-metre hybrid catamaran under construction at Incat Tasmania, marking the company’s first collaboration with one of the world’s leading builders of high-speed aluminium ferries.

The vessel has been designed for maximum operational flexibility and lower operating costs, helping operators transition away from fossil fuels in a practical and cost-effective manner. It will carry up to 650 passengers and 120 cars, with a top speed of 28 knots.

The ferry will be capable of operating in fully electric, hybrid or generator-only modes, enabling zero-emission operations on short crossings and in emission-control zones while maintaining longer-range capability.

The vessel will be available for bareboat or time charter from January 2027.

Read the full article here

Jun 19
Love3

Godby Shipping Extends Holmen Charter Until 2027

By 2026 Newsletter week 25

Godby Shipping has extended the time charter contract for BALTIC BRIGHT with Holmen Board and Paper for 2027, with an option for 2028. The partnership began in January 2022.

The extension supports Godby Shipping’s long-term fleet development strategy, which includes energy-efficiency upgrades to BALTIC BRIGHT, such as a new engine control system and renewed hull coating.

The company also highlighted its future investments, including two Stream RoRo 1700 newbuildings scheduled for delivery in September 2028 and January 2029.

Jun 19
Love3

Baleària Canarias Introduces Fast Ferry PEPITA CASTELLVÍ and RoRo JOSEFINA DE LA TORRE

By 2026 Newsletter week 25

Baleària Canarias has presented its fast ferry PEPITA CASTELLVÍ in several ports of the Canaries. The 102-metre trimaran will strengthen the triangular route linking Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma.

The vessel, the former CONDOR LIBERATION, can carry 870 passengers and 250 vehicles at speeds of up to 35 knots.

From 26 June, PEPITA CASTELLVÍ will operate alongside VOLCÁN DE TIRAJANA, increasing capacity and reinforcing connectivity between the western Canary Islands during the summer season.

Baleària Canarias will also expand its freight operations between Tenerife and Cádiz with the addition of RoRo JOSEFINA DE LA TORRE, offering more than 4,000 lane metres of cargo capacity. (ex ABU SAMRAH)

Jun 19
Love3

Fjord Shuttle Orders Hybrid Passenger Vessel From Brødrene Aa

By 2026 Newsletter week 25

Norwegian Fjord Shuttle AS has signed a contract with Brødrene Aa Hyen AS for a 292-passenger hybrid vessel, combining battery and diesel propulsion. Worth NOK 135 million, it is the largest investment in Fjord Shuttle’s history, with delivery scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.

Designed for sustainable tourism in Western Norway, the vessel will be able to operate on battery power alone for more than three hours and will be chartered to Fjord Guiding AS for services in Nordfjord, Geiranger and Sunnmøre.

The order also secures activity at the Brødrene Aa shipyard until summer 2027 and supports local employment following the yard’s 2025 bankruptcy.

Jun 19
Love3

AERO 4 HIGHSPEED Almost Ready To Join Coastal Services

By 2026 Newsletter week 25

AERO 4 HIGHSPEED is the new name of MEI ZHU HU, which Attica Group acquired from China last March.

The vessel is currently at the Perama repair zone and is expected to enter service on the Piraeus–Saronic route alongside her sister ship AERO 5 HIGHSPEED (ex-YU ZHU HU). Both vessels will replace FLYING CAT 3, FLYING CAT 4, FLYING CAT 5 and FLYING CAT 6.

Built by Brødrene Aa in Norway in 2017, the vessel can carry 270 passengers and operate at speeds of up to 35 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Jun 19
Love3

LEVANTE FERRIES Joins EU Retrofit Project FIT-HORIZONS

By 2026 Newsletter week 25

LEVANTE FERRIES has become the only Greek ferry operator participating in FIT-HORIZONS (Flexible Tool Environment for Holistic Retrofits and Decarbonization of Ships), a new Horizon Europe project designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of Europe’s existing fleet. The initiative brings together 19 organisations from 12 countries, including shipowners, research institutes, universities and technology providers.

The project will develop an AI-based digital platform to help shipowners identify the most effective and economically viable retrofit combinations. Solutions under evaluation include alternative fuels, electrification, hydrodynamic improvements, Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) and air lubrication systems.

LEVANTE FERRIES will contribute operational data and practical expertise from its vessels. The company says the project will support the planning of its own green transition while contributing to wider European decarbonisation efforts.

The operator has previous experience with European innovation projects, including ELEMED, through which FIOR DI LEVANTE became the first vessel in the Eastern Mediterranean connected to shore power, and e-SHyIPS, which focused on future hydrogen regulations for passenger shipping.

FIT-HORIZONS is coordinated by SINTEF Ocean (Norway) and supported under Horizon Europe Grant Agreement No. 101270016. The project is intended to help shipowners comply with FuelEU Maritime, the EU ETS and future IMO greenhouse gas requirements.

Jun 19
Love3

Stena Line Secures Rail Ferry Operations Until 2031

By 2026 Newsletter week 25

Stena Line has signed a historic agreement with the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) to secure the continuation of rail ferry services between Trelleborg and Rostock until 31 December 2031.

The agreement guarantees the future of Sweden’s only regular rail ferry service, operated by SKÅNE and MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN, and recognises its strategic importance for trade, transport resilience and national defence.

Beyond supporting freight flows between Sweden and Germany, the route also strengthens military mobility for Sweden and NATO, while providing a vital alternative should disruptions affect the Öresund connection.

Read the full article here

Jun 19
Love3

Långnäs Prepares for STENA NAUTICA Arrival

By 2026 Newsletter week 25

A former Halmstad linkspan is on its way to Åland to support the deployment of STENA NAUTICA on Eckerö Link’s future Långnäs–Naantali service.

The upper-deck loading ramp, transported in several sections by cargo vessel AURA, is expected to arrive in Långnäs during the Midsummer period. Installation will take several months, as building permits, foundations and infrastructure works still need to be completed.

Eckerö Link will take over STENA NAUTICA in mid-August. Initially, the vessel will operate using only the main deck.

Additional port works are also planned, including dredging and renewal of the lower loading ramp. The new service is currently expected to start no earlier than mid-September.