All Posts By

sandra

May 23
3

Ports and Routes

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Strait of Gibraltar Transit Plan Approved – 4% More Pax Expected

The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has approved the Special Plan for Operación Paso del Estrecho (OPE) 2025, a large-scale logistical operation facilitating the summer transit of Maghreb-origin citizens travelling between Europe and North Africa.

  • Operational period: 15 June – 15 September 2025
  • Expected traffic: Over 3 million passengers and 800,000 vehicles
  • Forecast: +4% passengers, +5% vehicles compared to 2024

Key elements of the plan:

  • Fleet Plan: Defines vessels, capacity, and scheduled crossings to ensure smooth flow
  • Port coordination: Covers 9 Spanish ports – Algeciras, Tarifa, Almería, Málaga, Motril, Alicante, Valencia, Ceuta, and Melilla
  • Multi-agency deployment: Involves 20 national and regional organisations, with over 29,000 personnel, including police, health services, and volunteers

The plan also emphasises:

  • Bilateral coordination with Morocco
  • Advance ticket purchase to minimise port congestion
  • Crisis readiness and safety protocols

Now in its 36th edition, OPE continues to be one of Europe’s largest annual seasonal migration operations by sea.

May 23
4

New Algerian Operator Andalouza to Challenge Algérie Ferries on Spain Routes?

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

A new player is (possibly) entering the Algerian maritime passenger transport market. Andalouza, a brand launched by Madar Maritime Company—a subsidiary of the public conglomerate Madar Holding—is set to commence operations in June 2025, offering services between Algeria and Spain.

Key Details:

  • Operator: Andalouza (Madar Maritime Company)
  • Vessel: ROMANTIKA (not yet confirmed by Tallink Grupp)
  • Routes: Algeria (Oran and Mostaganem) to Alicante and Almería
  • Start Date: June 2025 (remark: how is that possible when the ferry is still in the Baltic?)

The introduction of Andalouza aims to provide a competitive alternative to the state-owned Algérie Ferries, addressing long-standing concerns over service quality, pricing, and capacity constraints during peak travel seasons.

May 23
3

Baleària and Boluda Submit Bids for Naviera Armas

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Spanish ferry operators Baleària and Boluda Corporación Marítima have submitted non-binding bids to acquire Naviera Armas. The sale process is being managed by investment funds including JP Morgan, Barings, Cheyne, Bain, and Tresidor, who took control of Naviera Armas after capitalizing its debt.

Key Details:

  • Baleària, advised by Deloitte, is bidding for two of the three main operational areas of Naviera Armas: the Canary Islands and the Alboran Sea routes. There is also an option to include the Strait of Gibraltar routes.
  • Boluda, advised by KPMG, has partnered with a group of Canarian investors, including Rodolfo Núñez, president of the airline Binter, as well as companies like Satocan and Astican. Their bid focuses on maintaining and strengthening maritime connections within the Canary Islands.
  • Spanish media also write that DFDS is interested in acquiring a smaller portion of Naviera Armas, specifically targeting the Strait of Gibraltar routes. Also Stena and MSC are sometimes mentioned.
  • The shipping company’s valuation in the sale is estimated at around €200 million.

 Trasmediterránea (Balearic routes) was sold to Grimaldi in 2021 and became Grimaldi Trasmed.

May 23
3

Baleària Enhances Tarifa–Tangier Ville Route with Additional Fast Ferry

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

On 23 May 2025, Baleària will introduce the high-speed ferry JAUME I to its Tarifa–Tangier Ville route, increasing daily departures from four to six in each direction. The JAUME I has a capacity for over 600 passengers and 150 vehicles. Baleària plans to further increase frequencies to 8–12 daily sailings in the coming weeks, depending on demand.

This expansion follows Baleària’s launch of the route on 8 May 2025, initially operated with the AVEMAR DOS ferry.

Baleària has secured a 15-year concession to operate this route, committing to invest in two zero-emission electric fast ferries by 2027, aiming to establish the first intercontinental green maritime corridor between Europe and Africa.

May 23
3

Naviera Armas Plans New High-Speed Route Between Gran Canaria and Tenerife

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Naviera Armas is exploring a new high-speed maritime route between Arguineguín (Gran Canaria) and Los Cristianos (Tenerife).

  • Aims to directly connect the two main tourist hubs of the Canary Islands
  • Designed to ease pressure on the congested ports of Agaete and Las Palmas
  • Would improve inter-island mobility for both passengers and freight

The project is seen as a strategic enhancement of the current transport network in the archipelago.

May 23
3

Finnlines Launches Green Lane – Emissions Cut by Up to 90%

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Finnlines introduces Green Lane, a new sea transportation service designed to reduce emissions through the use of electricity and biofuels.

Key Points:

  • Launch date: 22 May 2025
  • Two Green Lane options:
    • 100% electric-powered shipments (Naantali–Kapellskär)
    • Biofuel-powered shipments on key Baltic routes

Electric Option:

  • Available on Naantali–Kapellskär route using FINNSIRIUS and FINNCANOPUS
  • Ships equipped with 5 MWh batteries, charged at berth with shore power
  • Enables fossil-free transport for selected freight
  • Despite larger capacity, CO₂ emissions per nautical mile down by 22%

Biofuel Option:

Routes: Naantali–Kapellskär, Malmö–Travemünde, Malmö–Świnoujście, Hanko–Gdynia

  • Biofuels from renewable sources
  • Up to 90% GHG reduction well-to-wake
  • Example: 700 kg CO₂ reduction per trailer (Hanko–Gdynia)

For Passengers:

  • Available on all Finnlines’ passenger routes
  • Emissions offset with renewable biofuels equivalent to passenger volume
May 23
3

Merna Shipping Announces New RoRo Line from the Mediterranean to Egypt and the UAE

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

The Spanish shipping company Merna Shipping has announced a new RoRo service called the Mediterranean Express Service (MES), sailing from Spain, France, and Italy to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This new service connects Alicante, Marseille, and Genoa with Alexandria, Jeddah, and Jebel Ali.

“The new MES service is designed to provide a reliable, high-quality, and schedule-adherent transportation solution. Our first sailing is scheduled for the first week of June from Alicante, maintaining the announced rotation,” said Operations Manager Ghannem Abdelwaheb.

Earlier this year, Merna Shipping emerged as the buyer of the RoRo ship EUROCARGO ISTANBUL from the Grimaldi Group.

May 23
3

Fred. Olsen Cargo Express Transports Over 300,000 Lane Metres in First Year

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Fred. Olsen Cargo Express has completed its first year of operations in the Canary Islands. Key highlights:

  • Over 307,000 linear metres of freight transported since May 2024
  • More than 780 clients served
  • Approximately 296,000 tonnes of goods carried, including:
    • 63,000 tonnes of food
    • 17,000 tonnes of parcels
    • 20,000 tonnes of construction materials
    • 30,000 tonnes of hazardous cargo

Fleet developments: soon 3 vessels

  • After BENTAYGA CARGO, BAHÍA CARGO joined the fleet in November 2024
  • BREÑAS CARGO to be added this summer, linking La Palma and Tenerife
May 23
3

DFDS and Volvo Trucks Shift to Night Logistics at Port of Antwerp

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

DFDS and Volvo Trucks have moved container flows between Ghent and the port of Antwerp from day to night. The focus is on emission-free logistics using electric trucks.

Key Facts:

  • Since October 2024, DFDS has transported spare parts containers for Volvo Trucks during the night.
  • The cargo moves between Volvo’s Ghent distribution centre and Antwerp’s deep-sea terminals.
  • DFDS uses heavy electric trucks.
  • Around 150 containers per month are now moved at night.

Why Night Logistics?

  • Less congestion: Fewer delays and more reliable deliveries.
  • Better use of infrastructure: Roads and terminals are less busy at night.
  • Increased truck utilisation: Vehicles run more efficiently.
  • Smoother planning: Admin tasks during the day support night operations.

Read more: Newsroom Port of Antwerp Bruges

May 23
3

Digital

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

DFDS Expands with Nowhere Networks after a Great First Year

After one year of operational use, DFDS has chosen to expand its deployment of Nowhere Networks’ hybrid connectivity solution. The decision follows positive experiences with the initial rollout across seven freight vessels and multiple European ports.

Full article here