Ageing double-ended ferries QUEEN OF ALBERNI, QUEEN OF COQUITLAM, QUEEN OF COWICHAN, QUEEN OF OAK BAY and QUEEN OF SURREY are to be replaced, with the first new vessel is expected in 2024. BC Ferries has started the process of enquiries.
MOBY ZAZA had to be towed to the port of Genoa on 15 July, after an engine breakdown. The ship was put into the local shipyard. Instead, MOBY NIKI was withdrawn from her Piombino –Portoferraio route to take her place on Genoa-Bastia.
Former Sealink Ferry Looks Brand New
Detroit World Logistic Maritime has posted a video on their LinkedIn page, showing the final renovations on veteran ferry LE RIF, built as GALLOWAY PRINCESS in 1980.
The question is: when will the ferry finally leave Naples to re-enter service?
Watch the video on LinkedIn (LinkedIn account might be required)
Full house in Belfast, on 24 July
PRINCESS ANASTASIA in Saint-Petersburg, photo by Jeannine Williamson
Tallink Grupp, in partnership with Swedish company Nowhere Networks have installed a Wireless Antenna Tracking Sytem (WATS) on board MEGASTAR. The tracker provides the ferry, operating on the Tallinn-Helsinki route, with a 400M/bit internet connection on board – the fastest and most stable internet connection currently available on the Baltic Sea.
With the new technology a high-speed connection is beamed to the shore by the tracker and the antenna re-aligns itself in real-time to maintain the highest speed at all times.
Kongsberg Gruppen ASA entered into agreement with Rolls-Royce plc to acquire Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine, a technology business within maritime operations.
The transaction is structured as an acquisition by KONGSBERG of the marine products, systems and aftermarket services businesses carried out by subsidiaries of Rolls-Royce plc. The transaction does not include Bergen Engines nor Rolls-Royce’s Naval Business.
Photo: KONGSBERG CEO Geir Håøy (right) and Tristan Halford-Maw, Deputy Director, M&A Rolls-Royce
During a short ceremony held on the 4th of July in Rome, Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group and President and CEO of the subsidiary company Finnlines, received the honor of Commander of the Order of the Lion of the Republic of Finland.
The Ambassador of Finland in Italy, Janne Taalas, declared that the award, conferred by the President of the Republic of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, is a recognition for the great commitment of Emanuele Grimaldi, through the company Finnlines, in developing maritime transport to and from Finland which is of great support to the economy.
During a short ceremony held on the 4th of July in Rome, Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group and President and CEO of the subsidiary company Finnlines, received the honor of Commander of the Order of the Lion of the Republic of Finland.
The Ambassador of Finland in Italy, Janne Taalas, declared that the award, conferred by the President of the Republic of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, is a recognition for the great commitment of Emanuele Grimaldi, through the company Finnlines, in developing maritime transport to and from Finland which is of great support to the economy.
Irish Ferries’ ULYSSES, operating on the Dublin – Holyhead route, will be out of service longer than expected. The ferry reported technical difficulties with its Starboard Controllable Pitch Propeller on 24 June.
The vessel entered drydock in Belfast on 28 June. The investigation and repairs to the vessel were expected to take no longer than 5 days. However, the issue is more serious than originally anticipated, causing more delays.
Ro-pax EPSILON is being used as replacement vessel and fast ferry DUBLIN SWIFT operates additional evening sailings.
Greek Port Of Thessaloniki Gets New Summer Ferry Services
Both Seajets and Golden Star Ferries started a three-month, subsidized service from Thessaloniki.
Seajets started a multiple-island service, connecting Thessaloniki with the Sporades, the Cyclades and Crete (Thessaloniki-Skiathos-Andros-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Santorini-Crete).
The new route saw its first departure on 29 June, and is being served by AQUA BLUE, a conventional car ferry, built in 1975 and best known for its service with ANEK as IERAPETRA L.
Since 9 July the AQUA BLUE serves the Thessaloniki-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos route on Mondays.
Golden Star Ferries also started to offer sailings out of Thessaloniki, with the two high-speed craft SUPER CAT and SUPER SPEED. The new route has also the Sporades islands as destination: Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos.