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sandra

Mar 29
2

Second HSC hybrid fast ferry for Liberty Lines launched at Armon in Spain

By | 2024 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

HSC CRISTINA M, sister ship of the VITTORIO MORACE, has been launched at the Astilleros Armon shipyard in Navia, Spain, for Liberty Lines.

With a length of 39.5 meters and a capacity of 251 passengers, is the second HSC hybrid fast unit under construction.

It is equipped with two MTU-Rolls Royce hybrid engines, allowing it to operate entirely in electric mode within ports before recharging the batteries while sailing at 30 knots in open sea.

It is the second of the 12 innovative fast hybrid ships that will join the fleet by 2026 and 2027.

The delivery of the newly built VITTORIO MORACE and CRISTINA M is expected to take shape in May this year.

Mar 29
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2024 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

“Condor Ferries is promising passengers and companies a better deal as it announces ‘a new era’ in its 60th anniversary year serving the islands,” writes Guernsey Press.

Brittany Ferries has pledged to become more actively involved in Condor’s day-to-day operations. Christophe Mathieu, interim CEO of Condor and CEO of Brittany Ferries, emphasized this shift in approach, stating that they are committed to strengthening the long-term sea links between the island and the UK and France. Mathieu expressed openness to increasing Brittany Ferries’ shareholding in Condor if the majority owner, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, decides to sell. This signals a new era of partnership aimed at lasting indefinitely.

Barfleur (photo) did some berthing trials in Jersey on 26th of March.

Plans to build the Isles of Scilly’s two new ferries in Asia have been described as “an absolute scandal”.

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group awarded the £42m contract to Piriou, a French shipbuilder, which said it would build the ferries in Vietnam.

The workers’ trade union, GMB Union, said that shipbuilders in the UK have been “hugely let down” by the ISSG’s decision.

Harland and Wolff, which owns Appledore shipyard in Devon, was shortlisted but not chosen.

Source: BBC

On March 23, 2024, in Brest, Brittany Ferries marked a significant event with the blessing and christening of the RoPax ferry Santoña. The ceremony was conducted by Christian Bernard, the Episcopal Vicar for the Diocese of Quimper et Léon. Following the blessing, the age-old tradition of christening was observed, with the ferry’s godmother, Mrs. Marie-Hélène Roué, breaking a bottle of Champagne over the vessel’s bow.

Photo: Jess Breheret

Baleària will invest 3.2 million euros in the RoPax Passió per Formentera in order to guarantee greater comfort, reliability and sustainability in the connections made by the company on the public interest line between Ceuta and Algeciras. These works, both propulsion and interior fittings, will be carried out during the ship’s docking at the Guadalquivir shipyard in Seville starting this coming Sunday, March 31, and until the end of April.

Bahama Mama ship will cover the route during her absence.

Source: Baleària (in Spanish)

Marine Atlantic’s Atlantic Vision is preparing to return to Europe after she left the fleet. Owned by a company related to Tallink Grupp, she has been reflagged to Cyprus. A crew from one of the Stena companies is onboard, but, so far, we don’t know her future.

Photo: Marine Atlantic

Since March 24, 2024, Superfast Ferries’ RoPax Ariadne is on short-term charter to Algerie Ferries for service on the long Alger-Marseille line. The Japanese-built vessel will temporarily assist El Djazair II until the return of the larger BADJI MOKHTAR III, which is currently undergoing refitting at Elefsis Shipyards (Greece) until the end of April.

Photo: Attica Group

Mar 22
1

Color Line 2023: Record Year

By | 2024 newsletter week 12 | No Comments

In 2023, Color Line reported the best earnings in its history, powered by high demand, stable production, and increasingly more cost-effective operations. This provides a solid point of departure for further commercial development and the green transition in the coming years.

+EBITDA NOK 1.4 billion (NOK 1.2 billion in 2022)

+EBIT NOK 819 million (NOK 598 million in 2022)

3.5 million pax (3.6)

180k freight units (190k)

In 2023, Color Line sailed with a fleet consisting of five ships of four international routes between Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Germany, after selling RoPax Color Viking and RoRo Color Carrier towards the end of 2022.

Outlook and focus:

  • Green transition, including adapting operations to the phasing in of the EU ETS.
  • Further developing its digital systems and capabilities
  • Increased cyber security through cloud-based solutions
  • Color Line is experiencing good demand in 2024, and expects a high season in line with 2023.

“In the coming years, the maritime sector will go through both the green shift and the digital transformation. However, Norwegian shipping is experiencing a gradual weakening of its framework conditions, which challenges the industry’s ability to adapt,” says CEO Trond Kleivdal.

Click on image below for report

Mar 22
1

Gotlandsbolaget: 2023 marked by economic recovery

By | 2024 newsletter week 12 | No Comments
  • Entered 2023 with historic loss but made necessary decisions in 2022.
  • Economic recovery in 2023 due to stabilized fuel costs, streamlining, and adjusted ticket prices.
  • Achieved adjusted operating profit of 161.7 MSEK, turning loss into profit.

Financial performance:

  • Revenues at 2,366.4 MSEK, lower than previous year.
  • Costs at -2,187.6 MSEK, lower due to discontinuation of Rostock line and vessel divestment.

Transition in fuel:

  • Shifted from LNG to MGO in 2022 to mitigate fuel cost increases and avoid Russian gas.
  • Negative impact on emissions.
  • Started gradual return to LNG due to stabilized fuel prices.

Long-term goal of climate-neutral travel by 2045 remains despite challenges.

  • Challenges include low requirements in ongoing tender by Trafikverket for new technology investments.

Gotlandstrafiken’s role:

  • Submitted bids for 2027-2035 concession period.
  • Confidence in ability to adapt regardless of concession outcome.
  • Opportunity to operate during peak demand even without main concession.

Focus on development and expansion:

  • Strong liquidity supports investment in ships, properties, and new ventures.
  • Acquisition of Birka Gotland and partnership with Viking Line for Baltic cruises signals focus on passenger shipping.
  • Investing in biogas production on Gotland and exploring further investments in fossil-free fuels.
  • Exciting prospects and significant investments in local hotel and property operations on Gotland.

Read the annual report (in Swedish) here.

Remark

EQT-owned Molslinjen demands that the tender for the ferry service to Gotland be redone. In a letter to the Minister of Infrastructure and to the Swedish Transport Administration, it is claimed that the tender requirements are bad for the environment and cost the state SEK 5 billion in unnecessary expenses.

Source: Dagens industri (in Swedish, and paywalled)

Mar 22
1

Adria Ferries studying a new Italy – Montenegro ferry link

By | 2024 newsletter week 12 | No Comments

The Ancona-based ferry company Adria Ferries is considering launching a new maritime link between Italy and Montenegro.

News agency ANSA reported that, during a meeting between Alberto Rossi (owner of Adria Ferries) and Milojko Spajic (Montenegro’s prime minister) held in Podgorica, the possibility of opening a new RoPax link between the ports of Bar and Ancona emerged.

However, Alberto Rossi told FERRY SHIPPING NEWS that “a preliminary study is underway for a regular link between Bari and Bar since the same route had been operated in the past through the company Adriatica di Navigazione”. Rossi also underlined that “the possibility to open up a new service depends also on the availability of our ships which are currently all employed”.

Adria Ferries controls a fleet of three ro-pax ships: two deployed on the Italy – Albania routes and a third chartered out to DFDS.

Mar 22
1

Sfakia Pioneer sold to Albania

By | 2024 newsletter week 12 | No Comments

It is reported that Anendyk Seaways’ Sfakia Pioneer (formerly Oniyouzu) was sold to Finikas Lines of Albania.

She was purchased by the Cretan-based Anendyk in February 2019 to serve on the Sfakia-Gavdos line. She remained at Souda port awaiting her conversion since June 2019.

In March 2024, she was eventually sold to serve on the Corfu – Agioi Saranta (Albania) line.

The ship arrived at the port of Corfu on March 16 under tow. Built in Japan in 1998 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, she has a carrying capacity for 200 passengers and can travel at 23 knots (with a maximum speed of 26.5 knots).

Photo: Anendyk Seaways

Mar 22
2

Minoan Lines’ HSC Santorini Palace was renamed Santorini Jet

By | 2024 newsletter week 12 | No Comments

HSC Santorini Jet is the new name of HSC Santorini Palace following her bare boat chartering by Seajets. The ship is currently at the Spanopoulos Group facilities changing her livery and undergoing a refit.

Seajets has already announced its intention to introduce her on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Evdilos (Ikaria) – Karlovasi (Samos) run from June 1st until September 30, 2024.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Mar 22
1

Traffic of Passengers, goods, and cars in Greek ports: Q3, 2023

By | 2024 newsletter week 12 | No Comments
  • According to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) the traffic of passengers, goods and mobile units in the Greek ports for Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022 is as follows:
  • +2.6% passengers
  • +0.0% goods
  • +2.6% mobile units
  • +2.8% domestic passenger traffic
  • -0.7% international passenger traffic
  • +3.0% domestic mobile units
  • -2.2% domestic mobile units
  • -6.3% domestic goods
  • +1.8% international goods

Click on graph below to access the source document of ELSTAT

Mar 22
1

Austal Vietnam to design and build a 71m RoPax-Cargo destined for “Groupe Degage” in French Polynesia

By | 2024 newsletter week 12 | No Comments

This new ferry boasts a steel monohull construction with an aluminium superstructure, designed to comfortably accommodate up to 140 seated passengers and 17 crew members. Featuring a spacious main cargo deck spanning 494m2, it is capable of efficiently transporting a variety of cargo including 10’ and 20’ containers, palletized goods, and vehicles.

Dubbed the “Dory 2”, this vessel boasts a cruising speed of 12 knots and an impressive range of 1,000 nautical miles. It will serve the route between Papeete and Palliser islands, offering essential transportation services.

This latest agreement marks the fifth ferry collaboration between Austal and Groupe Degage, while also marking Austal Vietnam’s inaugural project involving the construction of a steel-hulled ship.

Mar 22
1

Grendi is back as a shipowner with the purchase of the RoRo Wedellsborg

By | 2024 newsletter week 12 | No Comments

Genoa-based shipping group Grendi will re-enter the market as a shipowner.

On March 25th, the company, controlled and led by the Musso family, will sign the purchase of the 2014-built Wedellsborg through a new company called Navco, with ownership split 50-50 between Grendi and the Giovanni Fagioli’s Finaval group.

Wedellsborg has been chartered by Grendi since 2021 and is currently deployed on routes linking Marina di Carrara, Olbia, Cagliari, and more recently, Tunisia and Algeria for Maersk.

The vessel, built in Italy at Cantiere Navale Visentini, measures 179 meters in length with 2,600 lane meters and features a stern ramp.