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sandra

Nov 15
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Last Month Bornholmlinjen Carried More Passengers But Less Freight On Fast Ferry Route

By 2018 Newsletter Week 46

With lorries as the only exception, the Bornholmlinjen in all areas has increased traffic in October compared to Danske Ferger in October 2017

Some criticism the new ferry operator was heard on the island of Bornholm. The main complaint was about cancellations of crossings and the information.

Although not intended as a response to the criticism, Bornholmslinjen said that the company transported more to and from the island than its predecessor in the same month of last year.

High-speed ferry service Rønne – Ystad (EXPRESS 1)

+16.5% departures with 240 departures. 254 were planned but 14 had to be cancelled because of the weather conditions.

+11.4% passenger cars

+10.8% passengers

-35.1% trucks

Remark: there was an important increase of freight on the conventional route between Rønne and Køge, on ro-pax HAMMERSHUS.

Nov 15
Love0

SHORT NEWS

By 2018 Newsletter Week 46

Almost two weeks after Cretan Lines Cargo’s ro-ro NEARHOS was stuck on the island of Nea Kameni (Santorini), the vessel was freed. She was towed to a shipyard for repairs.

Nov 15
Love0

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

By 2018 Newsletter Week 46

Thomas P. Illes, Shipping & Cruise/Ferry Analyst, was so kind to share some pictures he took last week during a cruise in the Med. The first photo was taken in Ajaccio. The dramatic sky is obvious. It was the period when so much damage was created along the Italian Coast.

The photos below were taken in Olbia.

FINLANDIA SEAWAYS is finally back in service after her engine room fire. She is currently operating on the Cuxhaven – Immingham route.

Nov 08
Love0

CORRECTION

By 2018 Newsletter week 45

Thank you Justin Merrigan (Merrigan Maritime Communications Ltd) and Judy Benson (Incat) for pointing out that Baleària’s order is NOT the world’s first LNG-powered high-speed catamaran. Indeed, FRANCISCO was the first dual-fuel high-speed ferry to operate with LNG as the primary fuel. She was built by Incat for its operator Buquebus in 2013.

Nov 08
Love0

Ferries Corsica: Not 2, But 3 Candidates For The Public Service Delegation Contract

By 2018 Newsletter week 45

There are now officially three candidates for the maritime DSP contract (Delegation of Public Service):

  • Corsica Ferries (the yellow ships)
  • Corsica Linea (the red ships)
  • La Mériodionale (the blue ships)

On Monday 5 November, Corsica Ferries was the first company to present its candidature to the OTC (Office des Transports Corse).

Although not a complete surprise, it is now confirmed that Corsica Linea and La Mériodionale will both compete separately, after having been allies for many years.

The contract is for the ferry services between Marseille and five Corsican ports. The (difficult) decision will have to be taken before summer 2019. The new DSP starts on 1 October 2019 and lasts only until 31 December 2019. The relatively short period has to be seen as a test period, before switching to DSP’s of ten years.

La Mériodionale only has a fleet of three ro-pax ferries, but could have enough ships by adding chartered tonnage.

Nov 08
Love0

Minoan Lines To Install Scrubbers On Its Three Cruise Ferries

By 2018 Newsletter week 45

Minoan Lines have informed their passengers that from now on until 20 December, some routes will see some alterations, however with a minimum impact.

The reason is the installation of scrubbers.

In a press release the company says it is going to be the first ferry firm which, “will have been fully harmonized with the new requirements leading to reduced emissions for the benefit of the environment and country.”

From Friday 21 December, the cruise ferries KNOSSOS PALACE, FESTOS PALACE and MYKONOS PALACE will return to their scheduled itineraries.

KNOSSOS PALACE is actually in Perama, as first vessel to undergo the installation.

Nov 08
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Moby Opens New Line From Italy To Corsica

By 2018 Newsletter week 45

As from next June, Moby Lines will offer a new maritime route for passengers and cars linking the ports of Piombino with Bastia, thus competing with Corsica Sardinia Ferries. According to what is reported on Moby’s website, the new maritime service will be operated from 14 June  to 29 September 2019. The daily trip is expected to last 3,5h (day) or 7,5h (night).

The vessel likely to be deployed is MOBY KISS.

Nov 08
Love3

GNV’s EXCELLENT Reached Palumbo Shipyard In Messina For Repairs After Accident In Barcelona

By 2018 Newsletter week 45

The ferry EXCELLENT, owned and operated by Grandi Navi Veloci, has reached the port of Messina this week for some repairs due to be performed by Palumbo shipyard.

The vessel collided with the quay and a gantry crane in the port of Barcelona on 31 October. The crane capsized and took fire.

GNV said in a statement that extreme strong winds and sea currents prevented the ship from docking, eventually pushing it against the port’s crane.

The impact damaged the bulbous bow.

Nov 08
Love0

SILJA SERENADE Modernised In November

By 2018 Newsletter week 45

The modernisation of Silja Line’s ships continues when SILJA SERENADE, operating on Helsinki-Stockholm route, will be docked in Naantali from 11 to 23 November.

Which are the areas which will be changed drastically?

  • The nearly 1,500 m2 nightclub Atlantis Palace. Will be renamed Starlight.
  • The fine dining restaurant Bon Vivant and its wine bar.
  • The restaurant El Capitan. Will be renamed Grill House.
  • The ship’s Old Port Pub will become more spacious. To be renamed Sea Pub.
  • Stairways and cabin corridors.
  • Fitting of shore power supply.

The sister ship SILJA SYMPHONY will undergo a similar modernisation in January.

Interior architect: Heikki Mattila (Aprocos).

Nov 08
Love1

Greek Ferry Fleet Gets Another Large Asian Ferry

By 2018 Newsletter week 45

Chinese Weidong Ferry handed over the ro-pax ferry NEW GOLDEN BRIDGE II to Greek A-Ship Management (Arkoumanis). On 5 November the ferry was seen south of Hong Kong and was already renamed GOLDEN BRIDGE and reflagged to Cyprus.
She was reported to be Perama bound.
With a gross tonnage of more than 26,000 and a length of 187m this ferry is quite large.
She was built in Japan in 1990, and recently operated between China and South Korea.