The challenge of building effective storage and delivery infrastructure may have dampened the industry’s enthusiasm for fuel cells, but the technology may yet help achieve the GHG mandate
Almost 400 passengers have been evacuated from fast ferry PINAR DEL RIO after the vessel ran aground near the Port of Denia in the late evening hours of August 16.
- DFDS’ third mega ro-ro is undergoing sea trials in the East China Sea. AIS is showing her name as HOLLANDIA SEAWAYS.
- Åland’s provincial government has accepted a tender from a consortium consisting of Ansgar Ab and Finlands Färjetrafik Ab, for the ferry route to Föglö. A new electric ferry will be built. The contract period is 15 years.
Matt Davies photographed SeaJets’ AQUA BLUE. She’s operating on the island route out of Rafina, which includes Andros, Tinos, Mykonos
According to the latest XRTC survey about the Hellenic Coastal Lines, the “transformation” of the Greek Ferry Scene is still in progress, since the period when the country entered the economic recession.
The 18th annual survey of the XRTC summarizes the overall picture of the Greek Ferry Scene in 21 points.
Scandlines Installs Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution On Hybrid Ferry
Scandlines has signed an agreement to install Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution on board the COPENHAGEN, a hybrid ro-pax sailing between Gedser and Rostock.
Since 2013, Scandlines has invested more than EUR 300 million in building and retrofitting ferries from conventional diesel-driven to hybrid ferries. With the addition of Norsepower’s technology, the vessel will further reduce its emissions.
The route between Gedser to the north and Rostock to the south is almost perpendicular to the prevailing wind from west giving Scandlines favourable conditions for using Rotor Sails on the ferry crossing.
Preparations for the retrofit will take place in November 2019 with the installation scheduled for Q2 2020. The ferry is set to be retrofitted with one large-sized Norsepower Rotor Sail unit that is 30m in height and 5m in diameter.
NABU, the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union, is pleased with Scandlines’ decision to further reduce CO2 emission:
The “adventure” of the Sea Speed Ferries’s ro-pax OLYMPUS eventually came to an end on 14 August.
The damaged ferry has been removed from the port of Santorini by the Spanopoulos Group’s tug CHRISTOS XXVIII, which transferred her at Neorion (Syros).
The ship will be thoroughly inspected and repaired but still her future is unknown within the Greek Ferry Scene.
Photo: George Makris
AZORES EXPRESS (7.657gt/1975) mission to Alexandroupolis eventually turned into a fiasco. The Italian-built ferry was send there –on 11 August– in order to replace SAOS II (2.149gt/2001) and SAONISSOS (1.142gt/1994) of the SAOS FERRIES which suffered serious engine problems. And because SAOS FERRIES abandoned the line.
However, she failed to enter the port and returned back to Alexandroupolis on one engine, causing a massive reaction from the public. Samothrace still has no connection with Alexandroupolis, something that suggests poor planning and decision-making.
On the other hand, the Hellenic Med Lines simply issued an announcement confirming the cancellation of the ship’s trips until 31 August. So, the next candidate for this summer’s “Odyssey” line is Seajets’ HSC ANDROS JET (2.695gt/1997) and the double ended ANAX (2.600gt/2018).. and we’ll see..
Photo: Evros-TV
BC Ferries will be building at least four new ferries to replace four existing vessels (see also in financial news). The company started a ‘conversation’ with the customers, with more than 9,600 people who responded online and 1,700 taking part in sessions on board the ships and in community workshops.
The first phase of engagement focused on nine topic areas, including: accessibility, pedestrians and cyclists, pet spaces, outdoor spaces, food and beverage, family spaces, new amenities, technology, and additional thoughts and key considerations like sustainability and future flexibility to meet changing needs.
Feedback included, for example, requests for more space and amenities for pet owners, more diversity in fresh food choices, improved areas for bicycle storage and quiet areas away from technology and noise, among other topics.
BC Ferries released its Q1 results for the three months ended June 30.
Passenger and vehicle traffic levels are the highest the company has ever experienced in a Q1.
Net earnings for Q1, 2020 were CAD 12.2 million (6.0 million)
In this quarter, BC Ferries invested CAD 26 million as part of its 3.9 billion 12-Year Capital Plan that is focused on replacing ships and upgrading terminals. “We need to replace half of our fleet over the next 15 years as we incorporate clean technology and increase capacity,” said Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President and CEO.