A technical issue with the LNG system on SPIRIT IV and SPIRIT V was identified by shipbuilder RMC during sea trials. As a result, SPIRIT IV’s departure to Australia is delayed until repairs are completed. TT-Line is working closely with RMC, and all repair costs will be covered under warranty.
Moeve to supply 40,000 tons of second-generation marine biofuels to Armas Trasmediterránea through the end of 2025 at the ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and of Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), marking the energy company’s first delivery of renewable fuels in the Canary Islands.
- DFDS has launched a new weekly short-sea freight route between the Netherlands and Spain.
- The service departs from Matrans Terminal (Rotterdam), calls at DFDS’s Vlaardingen terminal, and arrives at P&J Carrasco terminal (Vilagarcía de Arousa).
- The new corridor strengthens multimodal transport between Southern and Central Europe.
Key Facts
- First sailing: BELGIA SEAWAYS departed Rotterdam on a Saturday and arrived in Spain early Tuesday.
- Capacity: 2,660 lane metres.
- Suitable for unaccompanied trailers, containers, and out-of-gauge cargo.
- Sectors: Automotive, wind, battery, FMCG, and process industries.
Strategic Impact
- Supports emissions reduction by shifting freight from road to sea.
- Enhances connections with the UK, Scandinavia and mainland Europe.
- Integrated into DFDS’s wider European network.
New Collaboration
- DFDS has signed a new cooperation agreement with Hydro, the global aluminium and energy company.
The project includes the construction of a new quay wall at Berth 52 East and a significant new RoRo facility at Berth 53 to support growing freight and ferry traffic and introducing new technology for the safer berthing of ever larger vessels.
The works involve the installation of a combi-wall quay structure, a double-tier linkspan and modern bridge system for RoRo vessels, and extensive marine and landside infrastructure. Berth 53 will feature a 290-metre open jetty with nine marine platforms (known in the industry as Dolphins), while the landside development includes a 400m access road, electrical services, CCTV, and an asphalt-paved operational yard.
Ports Rade de Toulon has marked a major milestone with the arrival of the first car train from the Stellantis Group. The nearly 600-metre train, arriving from Mulhouse, delivered 226 vehicles directly to the Brégaillon Nord freight terminal.
The cars will now be shipped to Turkey, Italy, and Algeria by Terminal Automobiles Services, based at the terminal. With four trains scheduled per month, this new flow is a significant step in sustainable logistics—removing an estimated 1,900 trucks from the roads each year
The Scottish Government has announced that it will implement a direct award of the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract to CalMac Ferries Limited.
“This direct award fundamentally changes the ethos of the service by shifting from a commercial arrangement to a model more focused on the delivery of a public service engaged on the particular needs of the communities it serves,” said the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop.
Millbay Docks in Plymouth (UK) has officially unveiled its upgraded Brittany Ferries terminal, marking the completion of a significant £23 million infrastructure programme. The celebratory event, held on 28 May 2025, was attended by key figures including Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries; Julian Walker, Chief Commercial Officer and Regional Director at Associated British Ports (ABP); and Councillor Mark Lowry from Plymouth City Council.
The comprehensive upgrades include:
- A state-of-the-art passenger boarding bridge to enhance accessibility and streamline the boarding process.
- Strengthening of the West Wharf, enabling the port to accommodate larger vessels and increased freight volumes.
- Modernisation of the terminal building, offering improved passenger amenities and operational efficiency.
- Upgraded freight and cruise infrastructure to support Plymouth’s ambitions for sustainable economic growth and increased maritime traffic.
- Port of Barcelona has awarded the construction of a new RoPax terminal to SATO and Rubau.
- The €54.7 million project will complete the Adossat Wharf and boost passenger and freight capacity.
- Works include three berths (12m and 8.5m draft), superstructures, port equipment, and access roads.
- The new terminal will be the third permanent facility for RoRo-Pax traffic, consolidating operations at Adossat.
- Completion is expected in 51 months (4 years and 3 months).
- The development supports the city’s 2018 agreement to relocate ferry traffic away from the urban centre.
- The terminal will feature OPS (Onshore Power Supply).
Brittany Ferries has become the first French maritime company to sign the European Pact on Artificial Intelligence.
A Responsible and Ethical AI Strategy
The company commits to:
- Implementing strong AI governance.
- Raising staff awareness.
- Engaging with European partners on best practices.
- Defining strategic priorities.
A governance strategy was initiated in 2024 to:
- Manage risks of generative AI.
- Develop staff skills.
- Promote ethical innovation.
Anne-Laure Fabre, member of Brittany Ferries’ AI Governance Committee, said:
“We put people at the heart of our AI approach. It’s not about the power of AI, but how we control it to align with our values, manage risks, and support sustainable innovation.”
Concrete Initiatives
- Governance:
A dedicated AI committee was formed in February 2024. A governance charter was shared with teams from January 2024. - Training:
A learning community launched in November 2024. A second cohort is planned for September 2025, focusing on virtual assistants to improve working conditions and operations.
An e-learning course explains the risks and uses of generative AI. - Transparency:
Internal logo created to mark AI-assisted content verified by humans. - Compliance:
Inventory of high-risk AI tools to ensure legal conformity.
Brittany Ferries promotes a human-centric, field-based AI approach—serving both employees and customers.
- The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomes the results of the first EU–UK Summit, held on 19 May in London, as a key step towards restoring stronger trade relations.
- ESPO applauds plans to ease controls on animals, plants, and related products, viewing this as a boost for agri-food trade and food security.
- The organisation supports aligning the EU and UK Emissions Trading Systems but stresses the need for coordination with IMO’s global efforts to avoid market distortion in maritime transport.
- Enhanced cooperation on maritime safety and security is welcomed, including collaboration on the ISPS Code, cybersecurity, and responses to shadow fleet activity.
- ESPO calls for rapid implementation to deliver legal certainty, rebuild trust, and enable deeper EU–UK cooperation.
- The ESPO Statement can be read here.