CLdN introduced VALENTINE and CELANDINE on the Zeebrugge – Santander service, adding almost 40% to the total capacity between these two ports.
This scale-up fits well into the growing demand CLdN has been experiencing on the connection between Belgium and Spain.
In 2016 CLdN started the route with only one roundtrip each week. Today it sails between the two ports no less than three times a week., with departures on both sides on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Moby Announced a Standstill Agreement with Bondholders and Negotiation with the Banks
The Milan-based Moby group announced that it entered into confidentiality agreements and a standstill agreement with a group of bondholders under the €300 million bond, due 2023, issued by Onorato Armatori Spa (company subsequently merged into Moby).
Pursuant to the standstill agreement, the company shall, inter alia, provide certain due diligence information to the group of bond holders with a view to the Moby group and with the objective to negotiate the terms of a potential restructuring transaction. “In change the financial investors shall refrain from taking enforcement or repayment actions against the company. It is contemplated that the Standstill Agreement shall continue until 29 February 2020” the announcement from Moby explains.
The ferry company controlled by Vincenzo Onorato is also engaged in discussions with the banks (Unicredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, Ubi, Banco bpm and Mps) under the €260 million loan regarding a potential restructuring transaction. “In connection with the ongoing discussions with the lenders, the company has made a request for the lenders to standstill during this period” Moby informed.
The Onorato-controlled group concluded specifying that “the company will not make in mid-February the scheduled payments due under the notes and the senior facilities agreement, or the scheduled amortization payment due under the senior facilities agreement”. Moby’s business and operations are expected to continue to operate as normal during the restructuring discussions.
Almost 10% Increase of RoRo Traffic Between Algeciras and Tangier Med in 2019
Ferries in the ‘Strait’ have been doing well last year.
Irish Ferries Choose Hogia Ferry Systems
Irish Ferries have been looking to replace their current passenger and freight reservation systems and have signed an agreement with Hogia Ferry Systems to deliver their standard booking system BOOKIT.
The new system has a fully comprehensive API, which will allow Irish Ferries to integrate any hardware or third-party software.
Irish Ferries currently have two separate systems for their passenger and freight operations, which will now be replaced with one complete solution.
PowerCell has delivered a MS-30 fuel cell system to the Italian ship building company Fincantieri. The MS-30 will be used for tests of electrification of drive and power generating systems using fuel cells.
Cyprus-Greece Passenger Ferry Still a Long Way to Go
The government’s proposal to re-establish a long-defunct car and passenger ferry service to Greece from Cyprus by the summer of 2020 is being implemented step by step, but there is still a long way to go, Phileleftheros reports citing insiders.
Several Russian media report that the basis for a new ferry company has been laid. Baltic Passenger Lines LLC (BPL) was registered with a registered capital of 97 million rubles. The intention is to search for a secondhand vessel, which will be operated while waiting for a newbuilding.
A State subsidy allowed former SNCM to operate two ropax ferries on Marseille – Ajaccio in the high season. This created an unfair competition with Corsica Ferries.
The ‘Collectivité territoriale de Corse (CTC)’ should have reclaimed €220 million from SNCM, which were paid as a subsidy for a service which was not supposed to be subsidised. CTC did not recover this money.
Decision expected in March.
