E-ferry: 22 nautical miles on battery

By 2017 Newsletter week 38, 2017 Newsletter week 49

The world’s first fully electric passenger and car ferry that can operate at record breaking distances of up to 22 nautical miles is in its final stage of construction.
The E-ferry hull arrived in Søby, Denmark on October 1. Since then, everyone has been working around the clock to install all the component, cables and systems that are necessary for the E-ferry to run on pure battery power.
Alongside the work being done on the E-ferry itself, work has also been done on the onshore facilities in Søby, where the E-ferry will be charged.

Redelivery of ICG’s high-speed craft WESTPAC EXPRESS

By 2017 Newsletter week 49

As expected the fast ferry has been redelivered to Irish Continental Group at the end of November as per the terms of the charter agreement with Sealift LLC. The Austal catamaran had been on charter in Asia since its acquisition on 1 June 2016.
In a stock exchange release, ICG says that the vessel will be refurbished to bring it up to Irish Ferries passenger service standards. That doesn’t mean automatically that the WESTPAC EXPRESS will be used on the Irish Sea instead of the JONATHAN SWIFT. She might be chartered out.
JONATHAN SWIFT is faster but WESTPAC EXPRESS is larger.
To be followed.

IN THE MEDIA

By 2017 Newsletter week 49

Tinder for transport

For each truck on the road, one is driving empty. And in average, only 57% of the freight capacity of lorries is used. With these striking figures, awareness rises. Something has to be done to make transport more efficient, in order to reach the goals of the reduction of emissions, to keep companies profitable and efficient, and to tackle the issues of an ever growing traffic congestion.
At the end of November a congress about this subject was organised by the Vlerick School of Economics and the University of Leuven (Belgium).
Powered by big data and algorithms certain tools will calculate the best transport routes and combinations. There is already one Dutch startup –Quicargo– that calls itself the Uber for the transport sector.

Source: Flemish newspaper De Standaard, 2 December 2017 – Photo: Mike Louagie

Brittany Ferries creative as a tour operator as well

By 2017 Newsletter week 49

“Quotidien du Tourisme” writes that Brittany Ferries has strengthened its offer as a tour operator specialised in the UK and Ireland, with some new packages for French customers

  • Celtic trio: a 12-night tour bringing travellers to Cornwall, Wales and Ireland, with visits to places as Tintagel, Bath, Cardiff, Snowdonia, Dublin, Moher Cliffs, etc..
  • Fabulous Ireland: 9 nights including Moher Cliffs, Giant Causeway, Dublin, Belfast..
  • Road trips by car or motorcycle: 5 nights Shakespeare and The Beatles or 6-night Wales.
  • Legoland and London
  • Interesting: new offer includes youth hostels.

Photo: Mike Louagie

Port of Bari wants to get rid of the gutted ferry wreck

By 2017 Newsletter week 49

Ro-pax NORMAN ATLANTIC took fire in December 2014. The wreck was towed to Bari for investigations and has been there ever since. Because the experts have done their work the several stakeholders have asked the Court to release the ship from her evidential seizure. The ship is moored next to the cruise and ferry terminal, not a pretty sight.

Source: Corriere del Mezzogiorno – Photo: Italian Navy

More ro-ro ships to be built in Flensburg

By 2017 Newsletter week 49

Although Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) did not send an official press release yet, we read in the local media that the yard has secured an order for an extra two ro-ro ships.
The ships are the 5th and 6th unit of 4K lane meter ships to be ordered by FSG’s parent company Siem Group, with the intention to put them on the charter market.
The regional State of Schleswig-Holstein is still involved in the shipbuilding with bank guarantees, after the yard went into a difficult period.
With the orders of Irish Ferries (1 ro-pax), Brittany Ferries (1 ro-pax) and Siem (six ro-ro ships, 2 for DFDS, 2 for EKOL and 2 unknown) the yard can continue to build upon its reputation of ferry and ro-ro specialist.

SHORT NEWS

By 2017 Newsletter week 49
  • Former ferry DUKE OF YORKSHIRE (ex KAPELLA, ULS FERRY 1)(1974) has been renamed ANA and reflagged under the Albanian register. She is laid up near Tallinn but is expected to sail for Durrës.

Port of Ystad expands with new areas for vehicles and warehouses

By 2017 Newsletter week 48

With steadily increasing volumes, the Swedish port opened new areas to improve the logistical conditions for the port’s customers.
On Monday, November 27, Ystad opened a new area of 33,000 m2 for vehicle pre-check-in. At the same time, another area of 23,000 m2 was opened, with two warehouses of 5,120 m2 each. The need for the expanded area is derived from an ever-increasing flow of passenger and cargo traffic through the port.
Ystad Harbor is a central point for trade between Sweden and countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
As from next year Ystad is going to build two new ferry berths in the outer harbour. In 2020 the first of several new ferries is expected to start operating the Ystad-Świnoujście line. Polferries has a ferry on order.

Hamn’s CEO Björn Boström and Chairman Kaj Jönsson showcase one of the new warehouses.

Photo: Ystad