Seajets has confirmed its summer 2025 plans, with four high-speed craft operating from Piraeus to Crete.
Starting from April 4, 2025, HSC WORLD CHAMPION JET and HSC PAROS JET will sail the route Piraeus–Syros–Mykonos–Paros–Naxos–Santorini–Heraklion. The island of Tinos will be added to the itinerary in June.
In addition, HSC SUPERRUNNER JET will connect Piraeus with the port of Rethymno (Crete) starting June 20, 2025, with departures every Friday and Sunday from both ports.
Photo: Seajets
A public announcement by the local Coast Guard in Livorno has revealed that the 1982-built RoPax ferry MOBY ZAZA has been sold to a Marshall Islands-based company, Atlantis Maritime SA.
The sale price remains undisclosed, as does the vessel’s future deployment. It is also possible that the ship may be heading for demolition in Turkey.
MOBY ZAZA joined the Onorato-controlled fleet in 2015 and has since operated on routes connecting Italy with various Mediterranean islands.
Built by the German shipyard AG Weser Seebeck Werft, the vessel is 153 metres long, 24 metres wide, has a gross tonnage of 22,000 GT, and can carry over 1,500 passengers and approximately 500 cars.
New Cruise and Ferry Terminal Under Construction in Tórshavn – Key Facts
A DKK 70 million (EUR 9.4 million) terminal is being built at the Port of Tórshavn, with completion set for June 2026
Source: CruiseEurope
Crew Shortages & Retention: Why Ferry Operators Must Embrace Digitalization Now
Crew shortages, administrative overload, disengaged seafarers—sound familiar? With rising competition for skilled maritime talent, ferry operators must rethink how they manage and retain their crew. Digitalization isn’t just a convenience anymore—it’s a competitive advantage.
Industry reports keep warning that seafarer shortages could worsen over the next decade. With digital-native crew members joining the workforce, expectations have shifted. Seafarers now demand seamless digital access to their work essentials—just like they do in their personal lives.
That’s where the Seafarer Mobile App by MariApps comes in. This one-stop digital platform empowers ferry operators and crew with:
✔ Instant access to appraisals, payslips, training, and upcoming assignments.
✔ Alerts for expiring certifications and pre-joining documents—ensuring smooth onboarding.
✔ A direct communication channel with crewing officers, cutting back-and-forth admin work.
✔ Engagement beyond contract periods, with company updates, open positions, and training offers.
“Seafarers expect the same seamless digital experience at work as they do in their daily lives. Having everything in one place simplifies their jobs—and we see companies using the app to strengthen crew engagement and streamline operations,” says Stefan Kruellmann, Senior Business Development Manager at MariApps.
For the ferry industry, MariApps’ flagship solution, ferryPAL, extends digitalization beyond crew management—enhancing overall operations with smart, integrated tools.
Get a demo or explore more at MariApps.com/ferryPAL.
Photo Caption: The Seafarer App by MariApps
Photo Credit: MariApps Marine Solutions
Webpage: https://www.mariapps.com/ferrypal/
Stena Line has been using Nowhere Networks’ land-based network on 32 ships since 2021. It has now chosen Nowhere Networks as its sole connectivity provider, managing all internet communication for its entire fleet. The solution includes high-speed internet with full coverage, SD-WAN, traffic control and optimization, a portal, payment solution, single point of contact, and 24/7/365 NOC.
Source: Nowhere Networks
Ferguson Marine Appoints New CEO Following Calmac Contract Loss
Scotland’s nationalised shipyard Ferguson Marine has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive, just days after missing out on the contract to build seven new ferries for CalMac.
Graeme Thomson, currently an executive at Babcock, will step into the role on 1 May, succeeding interim CEO John Petticrew, who stepped down earlier this month for “personal reasons.”
Mr Thomson’s appointment comes at a crucial juncture for the Port Glasgow shipyard, as it seeks to secure its future and rebuild confidence following recent setbacks.
Assarmatori Calls for EU Policy Shift During High-Level Visit to Brussels
A senior delegation from Assarmatori, the Italian shipowners’ association, concluded a two-day visit to Brussels with a strong message: maritime transport is essential to Europe’s security, cohesion, and environmental goals, but current EU policies risk undermining its strategic value.
Chairman Stefano Messina warned that elements of the EU Green Deal—particularly the Emissions Trading System (ETS)—are distorting competition and threatening critical maritime infrastructure. “We must overcome the excesses of the Green Deal to unleash new momentum,” he said, highlighting the ferry sector’s crucial role in connecting islands and supporting modal shift through the Motorways of the Sea.
The delegation met with European Commission leaders, MEPs, and Italian representatives in Brussels, advocating for a more balanced approach that supports fleet renewal and the deployment of sustainable marine fuels without destabilising vital shipping routes and hubs.
CLdN has taken delivery of CHAUMINE, the first of two next-generation RoRo vessels built by HD Hyundai Mipo Co., Ltd.
At 234 metres long and boasting a capacity of 8,000 lane metres, CHAUMINE features an IMO Tier III-compliant hybrid propulsion system. With 11MW main engines and 6MW shaft generators, the vessel can optimise propulsion or power onboard systems as needed – a step forward in operational flexibility and energy efficiency.
Sister ship LEONINE is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2025. Both vessels are set to operate on CLdN’s Northwest Europe routes, responding to growing freight demand between the continent and the UK, particularly Scotland and North East England.
Built with the future in mind, the vessels can be modified to run on alternative low-emission fuels, fuel cells, or batteries.
Photo CLdN
P&O Ferries NORBANK left Zeebrugge on March 25th, bound for a new career in the Gulf within DP World.
Photo: Tibo Deprest
Brittany Ferries: A Stabilised Return to Growth in 2024
Brittany Ferries has reported strong operational results for 2024, confirming its stabilised return to growth. The company’s consolidated revenue (excluding Condor Ferries) reached €516 million, marking a 6.5% increase from 2023.
The passenger sector continues its steady recovery, with nearly 2 million passengers transported, a 6.5% rise compared to the previous year. Growth was particularly strong on the Channel routes, where Brittany Ferries outperformed its competitors. Freight volumes also increased by 4%, with the Spanish and Irish routes leading the way at +8.3%.
Despite the introduction of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which added an €8 million cost in 2024, Brittany Ferries maintains solid operational profitability. The company has also significantly reduced its Covid-related debt, fulfilling commitments to repay regional loans and progressing towards a 50% reduction in its state-guaranteed loan by the end of 2025.
Strategic decisions taken over the past decade, particularly the development of long-haul routes to Spain and Ireland, now contribute nearly half of Brittany Ferries’ total revenue. These results reinforce the company’s leadership in sustainable maritime transport, as it continues investing in fleet decarbonisation and innovation.
Brittany Ferries’ resilience is further reflected in the confidence of new private investors and the unwavering support of its historical shareholders. With the introduction of Europe’s two largest hybrid ferries in 2024, the company remains at the forefront of innovation in the maritime sector.
Gotlandsbolaget has reported strong results for 2024, marking a year of strategic expansion and financial stability. Total revenue reached SEK 2.62 billion, up from SEK 2.37 billion in 2023, reflecting the company’s continued growth. The adjusted operating profit increased to SEK 218 million, driven by a solid performance in Gotland traffic.
A major milestone was the acquisition of the Oslo-Copenhagen route from DFDS, which expanded Gotlandsbolaget’s footprint in the passenger shipping sector. The transition included the integration of around 800 employees and the addition of the cruise ferries NORDIC PEARL and NORDIC CROWN (ex PEARL SEAWAYS and CROWN SEAWAYS). The rebranding of the route to Go Nordic Cruiseline is set for 2025.
Sustainability remains at the core of Gotlandsbolaget’s strategy. In 2024, the company announced an investment in a biogas plant, securing volumes of fossil-free fuel for the Gotland traffic. Additionally, Gotlandsbolaget ordered the Gotland Horizon X, a next-generation high-speed catamaran designed for future carbon-neutral operations.
While the transition of the Oslo-Copenhagen route incurred start-up costs, the company remains financially solid, with an equity ratio of 82%. Investments in fleet modernisation and environmental sustainability will position Gotlandsbolaget for continued success in the coming years.
Source: Gotlandsbolaget
