New designated routes are now in place at Rosslare Europort for HGVs only.
- Blue Route – New entry route to the port
- Green Route – New exit route from the port
These changes aim to improve traffic flow and efficiency.
On Friday 28 March, Brittany Ferries marked a significant milestone with the blessing and official naming of its second hybrid vessel, GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE. The ceremony was led by Monseigneur Dominique Lebrun, Archbishop of Rouen, and the ship was named in line with maritime tradition by British sailor Miranda Merron, who had the honour of serving as godmother.
Powered by a hybrid LNG-electric propulsion system, the French-flagged ship is a cornerstone of Brittany Ferries’ commitment to greener cross-Channel transport.
Since April 2nd, all EU citizens travelling to the United Kingdom will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the country. The new requirement forms part of the UK’s broader border control reforms post-Brexit.
The ETA is mandatory for visa-exempt travellers, including those from the EU, and must be applied for online prior to travel. It grants permission to enter the UK for tourism, business, or transit purposes and is valid for multiple visits over a two-year period.
More than just the beginning of a new ship, the steel-cutting ceremony marks the proud restart of shipbuilding in Flensburg. Following the bankruptcy, the yard is once again beginning construction—this time on a new RoRo vessel.
The contracted RoRo vessel with a length of 210 metres and a width of 29.30 metres is scheduled for delivery to SeaRoad in Q3, 2026.
It will have 3,722 lane metres available for freight units, plus capacity for 101 cars (= 4,227 lane metres in total). A special requirement for the vessel is the capability to transport heavy cargo with a unit weight of up to 100 tonnes.
Source: FSG on Linkedin
Four New RoPax Ships Ordered by MSC from GSI for GNV
Sources familiar with the matter told Ferry Shipping News that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has ordered two new RoPax ferries—plus options for two more—from Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China for its subsidiary GNV.
These four new dual-fuel LNG vessels, set for delivery from 2027 onwards, will be sister ships to GNV VIRGO and GNV AURORA. Each will be 218 metres long and nearly 30 metres wide, with a gross tonnage of 52,300. They will have a maximum speed of 25 knots, over 420 cabins, the capacity to accommodate up to 1,785 passengers, and 2,780 lane metres of RoRo cargo.
Each newbuild is expected to cost more than EUR 150 million. The vessels will be financed by MSC and subsequently transferred to GNV under bareboat charter agreements.
The Aponte-controlled ferry company has already taken delivery of GNV POLARIS from GSI, with GNV ORION, GNV VIRGO, and GNV AURORA due to follow in the coming months
Sea-Cargo announced the purchase and the remodelling of the RoRo vessels MISIDA and MISANA.
The transformation will focus on cutting-edge sustainability initiatives and technological upgrades and will be performed summer 2025.
- 3 new rotorsails from Norsepower.
- New optimised propellers from Kongsberg designed for a 14-knots speed to improve fuel efficiency.
- NOX scrubber by Pureteq.
- Major upgrade to machinery & control systems from Wärtsilä, including advanced energy- saving features and bridge equipment to compensate blind sectors.
- Covered weather deck increasing under-deck capacity.
- Solar panels 1600 m2 solar panels installed on the weather deck cover.
- Battery and frequency converter systems from NES, featuring an energy pack with shore power and peak shaving.
- New power management system from Smart Automation, integrating the rotorsail and battery technology for optimal energy efficiency.
Through the implementation of these measures, Sea-Cargo anticipates a reduction of up to 50% in fossil fuel consumption.
The vessels will be renamed TRANS HAV and TRANS SOL.
LMG Marin has been selected to deliver the basic design for seven new all-electric small ferries ordered by CMAL, following an international tender won by Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland.
The concept design for these vessels was developed by NaValue, with LMG Marin now taking on the role of basic designer on behalf of the shipyard—a setup identical to the one used for the Islay-class vessels currently under construction at Cemre.
Scheduled for delivery from 2027, the ferries will operate on lifeline routes across Scotland’s west coast, including Iona, Raasay, Gigha, and others. The project represents a major step forward in fleet renewal and the shift to zero-emission operations.
LMG Marin, part of the Seatrium Group, brings vast experience in sustainable ship design, with over 100 ferries designed globally and a strong portfolio of battery- and hydrogen-powered vessels.
Incat Tasmania’s new 78-metre hybrid electric ferry, currently under construction, will be available for charter from the first half of 2026. A second, sister vessel is planned and could follow within 12 months of delivery.
Key features:
- Flexible propulsion: fully electric, hybrid or generator-assisted
- Near-zero emissions (ESS up to 12 MWh)
- Charging capacity: up to 10 MW
- Capacity: 600 passengers
- Top speed: 27 knots
- Flexible vehicle deck configurations with optional mezzanine decks
- 2 x 230 kW bow thrusters and bridgewing controls
Designed to replace ageing high-speed craft, the vessel combines lower operating costs with compliance to evolving environmental standards.
It has been announced that the popular Greece–Cyprus route will reopen for the fourth consecutive year on May 31, 2025. Scandro Holding’s RoPax DALEELA will depart from the port of Limassol, with her last sailing from Piraeus scheduled for September 2, 2025. This season, DALEELA will complete 22 round trips.
Since the relaunch of the line in 2022, 22,582 passengers and 7,641 cars have been transported in total. Notably, on August 23, 2024, the Ministerial Council of the Republic of Cyprus decided to extend the agreement with Scandro Holdings Ltd. for another three years (2025, 2026, and 2027), under the same conditions, including the annual government subsidy of €5.5 million.
Photo: Dimitris Mendakis
Seajets has confirmed its summer 2025 plans, with four high-speed craft operating from Piraeus to Crete.
Starting from April 4, 2025, HSC WORLD CHAMPION JET and HSC PAROS JET will sail the route Piraeus–Syros–Mykonos–Paros–Naxos–Santorini–Heraklion. The island of Tinos will be added to the itinerary in June.
In addition, HSC SUPERRUNNER JET will connect Piraeus with the port of Rethymno (Crete) starting June 20, 2025, with departures every Friday and Sunday from both ports.
Photo: Seajets
A public announcement by the local Coast Guard in Livorno has revealed that the 1982-built RoPax ferry MOBY ZAZA has been sold to a Marshall Islands-based company, Atlantis Maritime SA.
The sale price remains undisclosed, as does the vessel’s future deployment. It is also possible that the ship may be heading for demolition in Turkey.
MOBY ZAZA joined the Onorato-controlled fleet in 2015 and has since operated on routes connecting Italy with various Mediterranean islands.
Built by the German shipyard AG Weser Seebeck Werft, the vessel is 153 metres long, 24 metres wide, has a gross tonnage of 22,000 GT, and can carry over 1,500 passengers and approximately 500 cars.
New Cruise and Ferry Terminal Under Construction in Tórshavn – Key Facts
A DKK 70 million (EUR 9.4 million) terminal is being built at the Port of Tórshavn, with completion set for June 2026
- Replaces and expands upon the original terminal from the 1980s, following the port’s large-scale 2022 expansion.
- Designed to serve both cruise passengers and international ferry travellers—marking a shift from past terminal use.
- Total building footprint exceeds 7,000 m², including 2,000 m² of terminal facilities and office space.
- The terminal is being built in a split-ownership with Smyril Line.
- International ferry passengers will access the terminal via gangway; cruise passengers will use shuttle buses from shipside.
- Heating will be powered by ocean thermal energy conversion.
- Immigration and customs facilities will be integrated, addressing deficiencies in the old terminal and preparing for the upcoming EU entry/exit system.
Source: CruiseEurope
