Blue Water Shipping has put into operation a new multi-terminal covering 116,000 m2 in the East Port area of the Danish Port of Esbjerg. The terminal is using the port’s two newly built ro-ro ramps, and welcomed DFDS as first customer, for its Immingham route.
According to Port Director Ole Ingrisch, improved conditions for ro-ro traffic have been one of the major focus areas in the establishment of the East Port.
Traffic will have direct access to the E20 motorway, which is also good news for the City.
The port is also important for the wind turbine industry, which has introduced ro-ro vessels to its logistics concept.

At the end of January NORDLINK will become FINNSWAN.
Operating now on Travemünde-Malmö, she is going to be transferred to the Naantali (Turku)-Långnäs-Kapellskär route.
First she will be refurbished, with a new look for the restaurant and the shop.

At the end of January NORDLINK will become FINNSWAN.
Operating now on Travemünde-Malmö, she is going to be transferred to the Naantali (Turku)-Långnäs-Kapellskär route.
First she will be refurbished, with a new look for the restaurant and the shop.

AMSICORA and BONARIA have been returned to owner Grimaldi

Ro-pax ferries AMSICORA and BONARIA are to be returned to owner Grimaldi after having been chartered by Tirrenia for the Naples-Cagliari route.
After refit, repainting and renaming (probably with the ‘cruise’ prefix) the vessels are going to be used on the Civitavecchia-Olbia route for Grimaldi Lines.
To the dissatisfaction of some local politicians, the ferries are being replaced by the 40-year-old veterans MOBY CORSE and MOBY DADA, as reported by SardiniaPost (in Italian).
Our remark: is it possibly a strategic move?

Sunnmørsposten writes (in Norwegian) that shipowner Per Sævik (Havila Holding AS) submitted a tender to build and operate four of the eleven ships needed for a service like the one operated now by Hurtigruten. The company tendered via its subsidiary Havila Kystruten AS.
Last week was the deadline for submitting tenders for the new coastal contract 2020-2030.

The news site El Tambor (in Spanish) says that the CEO of the Barreras Shipyard announced the imminent order for a 180m ro-pax, during the keel laying of the first Ritz-Carlton cruise yacht. They add that the owner has not been announced yet, however, they think it might be Naviera Armas.

According to Noord Hollands Dagblad (in Dutch), reserve ferry SCHULPENGAT will be withdrawn after a faithful service since 1991. The island of Texel is now being served by TEXELSTROOM, since 2016.
SCHULPENGAT will probably be recycled environmentally friendly. No buyer has been found yet.

Total Croatia News (in English) writes that Jadrolinija has the intention to invest €45 million in two second-hand and two new catamarans.

From an interview with Pierre Mattei in Corse Matin (in French) we highlight the following topics, which we think are relevant.

• Corsica Ferries started 50 years ago in May 2018, with the route Livorno-Bastia.
• 6% growth in passengers (3.8 million) in 2017.
• In December the management acquired 100% of the shares.
• New route from Toulon to the Balearic Islands starting April 21 is a testimony to Corsica Ferries’ flexibility and optimisation of the fleet. Quote: “Market analyses can never beat real experience.”
• Corsica Ferries is still waiting for the €85 million, attributed by the Administrative Tribunal of Bastia in connection to the Public Service Delegation of 2007/2013.
• New for this summer will be the possibility for guests to chose their cabin.
• Quote (regarding the Public Service) “Too often the question is about WHO is going to operate a public service route, rather than asking questions about the public service itself.”
• What is a fair system? “A system which allows fair competition between the different operators, and which doesn’t hinder the development of other routes.”
• Is public money a necessity? “Yes, if the loss of income (off-season..) is proven.” Politicians have to decide which routes are vital, and which aren’t.