The Port of Felixstowe and DFDS have agreed to increase ro-ro capacity at the UK port by over 40% through investment in a new linkspan, tractor units and additional trailer parking facilities.
Cassa depositi e prestiti (CDP), Fincantieri and Snam have signed a preliminary collaboration agreement aimed at identifying, defining and implementing medium-term strategic projects for the innovation and development of port facilities in Italy, as well as for the development of sustainable technologies applied to maritime transport, in line with the provisions of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan Proposal (PNIEC).
In particular, the agreement focuses on LNG infrastructure, energy efficiency and alternative energy sources.
The ferry traffic sector is the core business of the port and with 6 million tons, it makes up 80 % of the overall transhipment activities. While the liner services to Norway (+2.3 %) and to the Baltic States (+1.6 %) show growth, 10 % less tons of cargo were transported on the Kiel – Gothenburg route. One of the reasons is a long layover at the shipyard for STENA SCANDINAVICA.
The weekly liner service to and from Russia remained nearly at the same level due to continuing mutual restrictions on trade.
Again the biggest single volume was handled on the DFDS Kiel – Klaipeda service. Its frequency had even been augmented intermediately with an eighth and ninth departure in autumn.
Kiel was able to maintain its position last year with regard to the ferry traffic to the Baltic States, to West Sweden and Norway.
The Port of Kiel is currently investing more than 30 million in port expansion and environmental protection. Ostuferhafen will be redesigned by spring so that logistical processes can be optimized. Parking space for vehicles will be expanded.
The construction of the first onshore-power supply plant is in full swing in the city port. The plant, which will supply eco-friendly electricity to the vessels of Color Line, will be completed by Easter.
At the same time, a Europe-wide tender for onshore-power supply plants to be installed at Ostseekai and Schwedenkai, is being prepared.
Buy, sell, ship, establish business relations – just an ordinary day at the Port of Gdansk, and at the same time, a board game scenario. It is one of very few professional port-themed games in the market.
EUR 155 Million EIB Support For Investment In Two New Cruise Ferries By Irish Continental Group
The European Investment Bank is providing EUR 155 million to finance two new ro-pax vessels for the ICG subsidiary Irish Ferries.
The loan to Irish Continental Group represents the first support approved by the EIB under a new Green Shipping financing initiative that supports investment in new and existing ships to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
Three Bidders Invited To Apply For Contract To Run Ferries For The Northern Isles
The invitation to tender for the next contract to run ferries to the Northern Isles has been issued to three bidders.
Submission of final tenders is scheduled for March 2019, with a view to awarding the contract in July 2019.
The contract is estimated to be worth £370m and will run for eight years. Two of the bidders are current holders Serco as NorthLink and Calmac – the third is not known.
KiwiRail has confirmed plans to replace its three ageing Cook Strait ferries with two new, larger, purpose-built rail ferries.
KiwiRail’s decision follows a two-year consultation process which found rail-enabled ferries were the most cost effective, efficient and best in the long-term.
There are strong fears that Britain would leave without a deal on 29 March.
“In such conditions, the government’s responsibility is to make sure the country is ready. That’s why I have decided to trigger the plan for a no-deal Brexit,” the French prime minister, Édouard Philippe, has said.
Five decrees will be issued soon, including authorisation for major investment in new infrastructure such as border control checkpoints, roads, lorry parks and warehouses at the ports and airports “most concerned” by the prospect of no deal, Philippe said.
Authorities will also start hiring 600 extra government employees to deal with the consequences for cross-border trade of the UK leaving the EU without a deal, including customs, veterinary and other inspectors to carry out the necessary checks on goods, livestock and food products.
Quebec’s provincial ferry service Société des Traversiers du Québec (STQ) has added the CAD $2.1-million veteran ferry APOLLO to its fleet, to replace the modern ferry F.A. GAUTHIER that usually plies the Matane—Baie-Comeau—Godbout route in eastern Quebec.
The 2015- Fincantieri-built F.A. GAUTHIER was docked on 17 December, after a routine inspection revealed a mechanical problem with its propeller system.
François Chartrand, STQ’s interim president and CEO, said he will seek reimbursement from the Italian shipbuilders.
Transport Minister François Bonnardel cancelled a pair of decrees issued by the former Liberal government that gave the go-ahead to replace an ageing vessel in the fleet that provides ferry service to the Magdalen Islands.
The decrees permitted the company CTMA that runs that ferry service to issue an international call for tenders to replace the 1973-built CTMA VACANCIER. Now everything has to be restarted from scratch.