All Posts By

sandra

Mar 30
3

DIGITAL

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Crew Shortages & Retention: Why Ferry Operators Must Embrace Digitalization Now

Crew shortages, administrative overload, disengaged seafarers—sound familiar? With rising competition for skilled maritime talent, ferry operators must rethink how they manage and retain their crew. Digitalization isn’t just a convenience anymore—it’s a competitive advantage.

Industry reports keep warning that seafarer shortages could worsen over the next decade. With digital-native crew members joining the workforce, expectations have shifted. Seafarers now demand seamless digital access to their work essentials—just like they do in their personal lives.

That’s where the Seafarer Mobile App by MariApps comes in. This one-stop digital platform empowers ferry operators and crew with:

✔ Instant access to appraisals, payslips, training, and upcoming assignments.

✔ Alerts for expiring certifications and pre-joining documents—ensuring smooth onboarding.

✔ A direct communication channel with crewing officers, cutting back-and-forth admin work.

✔ Engagement beyond contract periods, with company updates, open positions, and training offers.

“Seafarers expect the same seamless digital experience at work as they do in their daily lives. Having everything in one place simplifies their jobs—and we see companies using the app to strengthen crew engagement and streamline operations,” says Stefan Kruellmann, Senior Business Development Manager at MariApps.

For the ferry industry, MariApps’ flagship solution, ferryPAL, extends digitalization beyond crew management—enhancing overall operations with smart, integrated tools.

Get a demo or explore more at MariApps.com/ferryPAL.

Photo Caption: The Seafarer App by MariApps

Photo Credit: MariApps Marine Solutions

Webpage: https://www.mariapps.com/ferrypal/

Mar 30
3

Stena Line Enhances Partnership with Nowhere Networks

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Stena Line has been using Nowhere Networks’ land-based network on 32 ships since 2021. It has now chosen Nowhere Networks as its sole connectivity provider, managing all internet communication for its entire fleet. The solution includes high-speed internet with full coverage, SD-WAN, traffic control and optimization, a portal, payment solution, single point of contact, and 24/7/365 NOC.

Source: Nowhere Networks

Mar 30
3

PEOPLE

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Ferguson Marine Appoints New CEO Following Calmac Contract Loss

Scotland’s nationalised shipyard Ferguson Marine has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive, just days after missing out on the contract to build seven new ferries for CalMac.

Graeme Thomson, currently an executive at Babcock, will step into the role on 1 May, succeeding interim CEO John Petticrew, who stepped down earlier this month for “personal reasons.”

Mr Thomson’s appointment comes at a crucial juncture for the Port Glasgow shipyard, as it seeks to secure its future and rebuild confidence following recent setbacks.

Mar 30
3

ORGANISATIONS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Assarmatori Calls for EU Policy Shift During High-Level Visit to Brussels

 A senior delegation from Assarmatori, the Italian shipowners’ association, concluded a two-day visit to Brussels with a strong message: maritime transport is essential to Europe’s security, cohesion, and environmental goals, but current EU policies risk undermining its strategic value.

Chairman Stefano Messina warned that elements of the EU Green Deal—particularly the Emissions Trading System (ETS)—are distorting competition and threatening critical maritime infrastructure. “We must overcome the excesses of the Green Deal to unleash new momentum,” he said, highlighting the ferry sector’s crucial role in connecting islands and supporting modal shift through the Motorways of the Sea.

The delegation met with European Commission leaders, MEPs, and Italian representatives in Brussels, advocating for a more balanced approach that supports fleet renewal and the deployment of sustainable marine fuels without destabilising vital shipping routes and hubs.

Mar 30
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

CLdN has taken delivery of CHAUMINE, the first of two next-generation RoRo vessels built by HD Hyundai Mipo Co., Ltd.

At 234 metres long and boasting a capacity of 8,000 lane metres, CHAUMINE features an IMO Tier III-compliant hybrid propulsion system. With 11MW main engines and 6MW shaft generators, the vessel can optimise propulsion or power onboard systems as needed – a step forward in operational flexibility and energy efficiency.

Sister ship LEONINE is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2025. Both vessels are set to operate on CLdN’s Northwest Europe routes, responding to growing freight demand between the continent and the UK, particularly Scotland and North East England.

Built with the future in mind, the vessels can be modified to run on alternative low-emission fuels, fuel cells, or batteries.

Photo CLdN

P&O Ferries NORBANK left Zeebrugge on March 25th, bound for a new career in the Gulf within DP World.

Photo: Tibo Deprest

Mar 21
3

FINANCE

By | 2025 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

Brittany Ferries: A Stabilised Return to Growth in 2024

Brittany Ferries has reported strong operational results for 2024, confirming its stabilised return to growth. The company’s consolidated revenue (excluding Condor Ferries) reached €516 million, marking a 6.5% increase from 2023.

The passenger sector continues its steady recovery, with nearly 2 million passengers transported, a 6.5% rise compared to the previous year. Growth was particularly strong on the Channel routes, where Brittany Ferries outperformed its competitors. Freight volumes also increased by 4%, with the Spanish and Irish routes leading the way at +8.3%.

Despite the introduction of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which added an €8 million cost in 2024, Brittany Ferries maintains solid operational profitability. The company has also significantly reduced its Covid-related debt, fulfilling commitments to repay regional loans and progressing towards a 50% reduction in its state-guaranteed loan by the end of 2025.

Strategic decisions taken over the past decade, particularly the development of long-haul routes to Spain and Ireland, now contribute nearly half of Brittany Ferries’ total revenue. These results reinforce the company’s leadership in sustainable maritime transport, as it continues investing in fleet decarbonisation and innovation.

Brittany Ferries’ resilience is further reflected in the confidence of new private investors and the unwavering support of its historical shareholders. With the introduction of Europe’s two largest hybrid ferries in 2024, the company remains at the forefront of innovation in the maritime sector.

Mar 21
3

Gotlandsbolaget: A Year of Growth and Strategic Expansion in 2024

By | 2025 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

Gotlandsbolaget has reported strong results for 2024, marking a year of strategic expansion and financial stability. Total revenue reached SEK 2.62 billion, up from SEK 2.37 billion in 2023, reflecting the company’s continued growth. The adjusted operating profit increased to SEK 218 million, driven by a solid performance in Gotland traffic.

A major milestone was the acquisition of the Oslo-Copenhagen route from DFDS, which expanded Gotlandsbolaget’s footprint in the passenger shipping sector. The transition included the integration of around 800 employees and the addition of the cruise ferries NORDIC PEARL and NORDIC CROWN (ex PEARL SEAWAYS and CROWN SEAWAYS). The rebranding of the route to Go Nordic Cruiseline is set for 2025.

Sustainability remains at the core of Gotlandsbolaget’s strategy. In 2024, the company announced an investment in a biogas plant, securing volumes of fossil-free fuel for the Gotland traffic. Additionally, Gotlandsbolaget ordered the Gotland Horizon X, a next-generation high-speed catamaran designed for future carbon-neutral operations.

While the transition of the Oslo-Copenhagen route incurred start-up costs, the company remains financially solid, with an equity ratio of 82%. Investments in fleet modernisation and environmental sustainability will position Gotlandsbolaget for continued success in the coming years.

Source: Gotlandsbolaget

Mar 21
3

Malta Can Seek EU Funding for Fourth Gozo Ferry, Says MEP Peter Agius

By | 2025 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

Nationalist Party MEP Peter Agius has urged the Maltese government to apply for EU funding to secure a fourth ferry for Gozo Channel. Speaking at a conference titled “New Ferries for Gozo: What Can Europe Do? What Must We Do?”, Agius stressed that Malta has the opportunity to include this project under the European Climate Fund, which must be submitted this year. He also called for inter-island connectivity to be a priority in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of the EU.

Currently, Gozo Channel operates three ferries—TA’ PINU, GAUDOS, and MALITA, built between 2000 and 2002. To meet rising demand, the company has been leasing the Greek vessel NIKOLAOS, built in 1987, since 2019. However, the cost of this lease remains undisclosed, and the government has been criticised for relying on an ageing vessel.

Both the Nationalist Party (PN) and Prime Minister Robert Abela have pledged to introduce a fourth ferry, though details on the government’s plans remain limited. PN leader Bernard Grech reiterated his party’s commitment to adding a fifth ferry and improving port infrastructure.

The conference also featured Cecile Larsen, project manager at Danish ferry operator Ærøfærgerne, who highlighted the success of the EU-funded electric ferry ELLEN, serving the Danish island of Ærø since 2019. She suggested that Gozo could follow a similar path towards greener ferry solutions with EU support.

Source: Newsbook

Mar 21
3

SHIPS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

CMAL Selects Remontowa for its Seven New Loch-Class Electric Ferries

aledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has identified Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdansk, Poland, as the lead bidder for a contract to build seven new loch-class fully electric ferries.

  • The contract is expected to be awarded following a 10-day standstill period.
  • Seven vessels in its first phase, with an additional three to follow in phase two through a separate procurement process later this year.
  • The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
  • These electric ferries will strengthen the resilience of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network, enhancing service reliability and reducing carbon emissions.
  • The procurement process involved a thorough evaluation, with bids assessed based on technical (65%) and financial (35%) criteria by marine experts and CMAL specialists. Remontowa emerged as the top-scoring bidder.
Mar 21
3

Stena Line and Norsepower Join Forces for a Cleaner Future

By | 2025 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

Stena Line and Norsepower have signed an agreement for the installation of two Norsepower Rotor Sails™ on STENA CONNECTA, Stena Line’s brand-new methanol-hybrid RoRo ferry.

  • This partnership marks another step in Stena Line’s ambition to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030.
  • Two 28×4 metre Norsepower Rotor Sails™ (NPRS).
  • Up to 9% fuel savings on the vessel’s planned route. T
  • Ferry is scheduled for delivery from Stena RoRo in Q4 2025
  • Irish Sea, Belfast-Heysham, where wind conditions are highly favourable for wind-assisted propulsion.