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sandra

May 08
Love3

Hibernia Line Opens Bookings For New Cork–Boulogne Ferry Route

By 2026 Newsletter week 19

It is now official: Hibernia Line has opened bookings for its new year-round ferry service between Ringaskiddy, Cork, and Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The route will start in mid-June 2026, with six sailings per week in each direction.

Two vessels, ST PATRICK (SUPERFAST IX) and AKKA, will operate the service.

Key points:

  • Evening departures from both ports.
  • Cork departures at 21:00.
  • Boulogne-sur-Mer departures at 22:00 CET.
  • Passenger arrival the following evening.
  • Expected annual passenger volume: more than 250,000.
  • Up to 250 immediate jobs in Ireland and France.
  • Around 200 crew positions.
  • ST PATRICK offers 2,200 lane metres of freight capacity.
  • AKKA can carry 2,500 lane metres of freight and passenger vehicles.
  • Hibernia Line is headquartered in Cork and is supported by Goodman Group.

The company says the new route will offer a consistent option for both freight and passengers travelling between Ireland and mainland Europe.

Carus has been selected to provide a comprehensive IT suite for Hibernia Line. Carus will deploy its full portfolio including web booking, mobile applications, onboard point-of-sale, and integrated payment solutions.

May 08
Love3

Port of Piraeus Reports Record 2025 Revenue And EBITDA

By 2026 Newsletter week 19

PPA S.A. (Port of Piraeus) presented its 2025 financial results to the Hellenic Fund and Asset Management Association at Euronext Athens.

Key figures:

  • Revenue reached €250.8 million, up 8.6%.
  • EBITDA reached €132.3 million, up 2.2%.
  • Profit after tax was €86.2 million, down 1.5%.
  • Proposed dividend: €1.896 per share, equal to 55% of net profit.

The cruise sector reached a new record with 1.86 million passengers.

Pier I also achieved a record, handling 664,581 TEU.

Ferry shipping revenue fell by 28.4%. This followed a reduction in port fees from May 2025, requested by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy to help maintain ferry ticket prices.

PPA said the results confirm the port’s resilience and its continued contribution to shareholders and the Greek economy.

Source: PPA S.A.

Apr 30
Love3

Stena AB Shows Resilience as Ferry and RoRo Businesses Drive Momentum

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

Stena AB reported 2025 revenues of SEK 51.9 billion, with EBITDA (excluding asset sales) of SEK 11.1 billion and profit before tax of SEK 2.15 billion. Available liquidity stood at SEK 20 billion, underlining the Group’s financial strength.

The diversified structure again proved valuable. Management highlighted stable ferry operations, a record year for Stena RoRo, continued resilience in property, and an improved tanker market in the second half.

Stena Line generated total income of SEK 19.4 billion. The company continued to invest despite softer markets, adding capacity with the hybrid newbuildings STENA CONNECTA and STENA FUTURA on the Irish Sea. Port agreements were extended, securing long-term positions in key hubs.

Stena RoRo delivered one of the strongest performances in the Group, with total income rising to SEK 2.36 billion. High charter utilisation and vessel disposals supported results. The company also signed an LOI for two new C-Flexer vessels, with options for four more.

Outlook for the ferry and RoRo segment appears positive. Demand for freight capacity, intermodal trailer flows, fleet renewal, and efficient medium-sized tonnage continues to grow. With modern assets and strong market positions, Stena is well placed for 2026.

Source: click on cover to access the annual report

Apr 30
Love3

Havila Voyages Reports Strong Ferry Growth in Cargo and Local Traffic

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

Havila Voyages has reported strong growth on Norway’s Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route, underlining the continued importance of the service as a ferry link for coastal communities.

From 2024 to 2025, the number of local passengers using the route as everyday transport increased by 14%, while cargo volumes rose by 11%. Havila operates four vessels on the state-contracted route alongside fellow operator Hurtigruten.

CEO Bent Martini said the figures reflect more stable operations now that all four ships are fully deployed. Earlier start-up delays and the post-pandemic downturn had affected volumes at the beginning of the contract period.

The company has also submitted proposals to Norway’s Ministry of Transport to improve the service further. These include longer port calls, especially north of Bodø, to improve freight handling and better serve local passengers.

A significantly longer stay in Kirkenes is also proposed, allowing stronger coordination with air services.

Havila says route optimisation, combined with lower speeds on selected legs and separate summer/winter timetables, would improve connectivity while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Photo ML

Apr 30
Love3

First Splash in the Adriatic Sea for GRENDI HORIZON

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

The new RoRo ship GRENDI HORIZON, built by Cantiere Navale Visentini in Italy, has reached the Adriatic Sea for the first time after leaving the shipyard.

Following several days of sea trials, the vessel will enter dry dock in Trieste ahead of delivery, scheduled before the end of June.

The Musso family-controlled shipping company Grendi Trasporti Marittimi will operate GRENDI HORIZON under a five-year time charter. The ship will serve routes linking mainland Italy, via Marina di Carrara in Tuscany, with Cagliari and Olbia in Sardinia, as well as North Africa.

The newbuild offers 3,000 lane metres of capacity and will be:

  • Equipped with a scrubber
  • Methanol-ready
  • Cold ironing-ready
  • Operated under a European flag with a European crew
Apr 30
Love3

A NEPITA Dry Docked in Greece

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

On 28 April 2026, RoPax A NEPITA (ex SUPERFAST X) of Corsica Linea entered dry dock at the Perama repair zone.

The ship arrived in Greece in February 2026 for modifications (ramps and visor) following a five-year charter to Canadian operator Marine Atlantic for the North Sydney–Port aux Basques route.

She will be renamed ÎLE ROUGE and is expected to be ready at the end of May.

Built in Germany (HDW) in 2002, she carries 1,200 passengers and offers 1,920 lane metres. Service speed is 27 knots.

Photo: Ben Ayre

Apr 30
Love3

SUPERSTAR II Launched on Sporades Route

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

On 29 April 2026, Seajets’ SUPERSTAR II (ex COLOR VIKING) entered service on the Volos–Sporades (Skiathos–Skopelos–Alonissos) route, replacing her older fleet mate SUPERSTAR (1974).

According to Seajets, the ship is a significant upgrade for the line and the largest vessel ever deployed to the Sporades islands. She was purchased from Color Line in November 2022.

Built in Denmark in 1985, she carries 1,400 passengers and 300 cars (500 lane metres) and sails at 17 knots.

Photo: Seajets

Apr 30
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Liberty Lines Completes Nine-Unit HSC Series with ETTORE MORACE

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

Liberty Lines, the Trapani-based ferry operator owned by the Morace family, has taken delivery of the ninth and final hybrid high-speed craft in a series built by Astilleros Armon (Vigo, Spain).

Named ETTORE MORACE, the vessel is part of an order placed in 2022 for nine units and has already arrived in Trapani, Sicily.

The new high-speed ferries feature an integrated propulsion system with MTU Series 4000 engines from Rolls-Royce. The hybrid configuration enables zero-emission operations in port, with up to 8 knots in full-electric mode and 30 knots in cruise.

The propulsion system combines conventional and electric power and results from collaboration between Liberty Lines, Astilleros Armon, Rolls-Royce, RINA, and Incat Crowther.

Apr 30
Love3

TT-Line Promotes Helsinki Rail-Sea Option via Stockholm

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

Ravestein B.V. has secured a major contract from Dragados SA for marine works linked to the new Immingham Eastern RoRo Terminal in the UK. Dragados is acting as main contractor on behalf of Associated British Ports.

The project will support Stena Line’s new terminal at the Port of Immingham, strengthening freight and passenger links across the North Sea. Planned facilities include unaccompanied trailer handling, HGV marshalling, passenger vehicles and container storage.

The new berths will be built in the Humber Estuary, on the eastern side of the Port of Immingham. Ravestein’s works are scheduled for completion in July 2027.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/press-release-ravestein-awarded-major-marine-infrastructure-dp9ge/

Apr 30
Love3

Ravestein Wins Major Immingham RoRo Terminal Contract

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

Ravestein B.V. has secured a major contract from Dragados SA for marine works linked to the new Immingham Eastern RoRo Terminal in the UK. Dragados is acting as main contractor on behalf of Associated British Ports.

The project will support Stena Line’s new terminal at the Port of Immingham, strengthening freight and passenger links across the North Sea. Planned facilities include unaccompanied trailer handling, HGV marshalling, passenger vehicles and container storage.

The new berths will be built in the Humber Estuary, on the eastern side of the Port of Immingham. Ravestein’s works are scheduled for completion in July 2027.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/press-release-ravestein-awarded-major-marine-infrastructure-dp9ge/