DNV GL: Batteries Gain Momentum in the Maritime Sector
The shipping industry and, in particular, the ferry segment have adopted battery and hybrid technology at a fast pace, with over 360 vessels now in operation or under construction. Narve Mjøs looks at the drivers of this development and future prospects.
Med States Meeting Agrees Roadmap to Regional SECA
A meeting in Naples of all the states bordering the Mediterranean Sea, except Syria, has agreed a road map that could see the creation of a Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area (Med SECA) by 2024.
Italian antitrust watchdog AGCM has launched a preliminary investigation into the unsolicited activation of maritime roaming services by Telecom Italia (TIM), Wind Tre and Vodafone Italia for customers travelling on cruise ships and ferries.
Cacica Isabel, one of the ferries of the former Conferry sank in Puerto Cabello.
Fjord Line: Christmas Eve for Singles and Families with Children on Bergensfjord
Robin Hood House, Church City Mission and Fjord Line want to make the Christmas holiday a little more enjoyable for all those who are lonely or are struggling financially. A cosy gathering with Christmas food will be organised on Christmas Eve, when Bergensfjord is docked in Bergen. Santa Claus will pay a visit!
From the Archive
This picture from 1988 shows Stena’s Scandinavica laid up in Dunkerque. As you could read in the news, she’s now going to sail as Prince in the Adriatic. Not bad for a 45-year old veteran.
As Smyril Line expands its fleet and sailing routes, the Faroese company has approached Bore to acquire Bore Bank. The roro will be renamed Akranes.
She will be used to establish a new freight route between Þorlákshöfn in the western part of Iceland, Hirtshals (Denmark) and Tórshavn (Faroe Islands).
Smyril Line will register the vessel in FAS (Faroe Islands National & International ship register) and hire Faroese crew.
Smyril Line’s fleet consist of four (soon five) vessels, with weekly sailings between Iceland, Faroe Islands, Denmark, St. Petersburg and the Netherlands. The fifth ship will allow the roro container vessels to open a route to the UK.
Fleet:
As part of the fleet renewal process, Bore has placed an order for three newbuildings at the Wuhu Shipyard Ltd in China, due for delivery in year 2021.
Stena Line’s newest ferry Stena Estrid has departed the AVIC Weihai Shipyard, bound for its new home on the Irish Sea.
Stena Estrid is the first of five next generation Stena Line ropax vessels to be completed.
Manned by a much-reduced crew of 27, with no passengers on board, the ship will travel on a journey of well over 10,000 miles.
The first stage of the voyage is a week-long 2,657 nautical miles trip across the South China and then East China Sea to Singapore, travelling at an economical speed of 17 knots which, uniquely to Estrid and her sister ships, can be achieved by running just one of its 12600kW main engines, thus minimising fuel consumption.
Estrid will then proceed through the Malacca Straits to Sri Lanka, before crossing the Indian Ocean and making its way to the Suez Canal.
Once through the Suez Canal, the ship will head west across the Mediterranean Sea, continuing at 15 knots until it reaches Gibraltar where it will stop for more fuel and provisions, and to welcome more crew members who will undertake familiarisation and training during the final leg of the journey.
Once in Holyhead, final preparations will begin to get Estrid ready to start service on the route in mid-January.
