All Posts By

sandra

Mar 08
3

PORTS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

Inaugural Rail Freight Shipment from Poland to Ystad

On March 5, 2025, the good cooperation between Unity Line, Swinoujscie Ferry Terminal, Port of Ystad together with DB Cargo and VÄTE resulted in the transhipping of steel rail from ArcelorMittal to Sweden.

The ferry POLONIA arrived on time in Ystad, Wednesday evening 5 March, with 26 waggons and approx. 800 tons of steel.

This operation marked the first transshipment of such an unusual rail transport between Świnoujście and Ystad, demonstrating new possibilities for freight logistics between Poland and Sweden.

Photo: Port of Ystad

Mar 08
3

RoRo Terminal Venice Ro-Port Mos Put Up for Sale in Italy

By | 2025 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

As part of the financial restructuring procedure of the Mantovani Group, the Court of Padua has put up for sale 97% of the RoRo terminal Venice Ro-Port Mos SCPA, based in Fusina (Venice). The indicative enterprise value is set at EUR 46.1 million.

Expressions of interest, including the offered price, must be submitted by 12:00 (Italian time) on 30 May.

The terminal is dedicated to RoRo and RoPax traffic and features a highly automated infrastructure. In total, it offers 250,000 square metres of port yards, with 165,000 square metres allocated for RoRo/RoPax activities and 85,000 square metres for car carriers. Up to four ships can be berthed simultaneously.

Mar 08
3

ORGANISATIONS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) Rebrands as European Shipowners

On the occasion of its 60 years, the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) becomes ECSA European Shipowners, reinforcing its role as the voice of the European shipping industry.

The organisation, which launched a new logo and visual identity, represents 22 European shipowners’ national associations, around 35% of the global fleet and all shipping segments from bulker carriers to container ships, tankers, gas carriers, ferries, cruise ships and offshore vessels.

The new name reflects the organisation’s commitment to raising awareness of European shipping’s key role to the continent’s energy, supply chain and food security.

Source: European Shipowners

Mar 08
3

PEOPLE

By | 2025 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

New Managing Director for Knud E. Hansen

On 1st March 2025, Denmark-based maritime consultancy KNUD E. HANSEN announced changes to its senior management structure.

The move sees Javier Suárez succeeding Finn Wollesen Petersen as the company’s Managing Director.

The move to the new management structure is part of a planned process that has been taking place over the past months. During this time, Javier and Finn have worked very closely together in order to facilitate a smooth transition.

Finn, who has held the role of Managing Director at KNUD E. HANSEN since 2003, will remain with the company. His focus will now be on coordinating the company’s operations in the United States.

Laurent Devulder Appointed as the New CEO of Port Boulogne Calais

On Friday, 28 February 2025, the Board of Directors of Port Boulogne Calais appointed Laurent Devulder as CEO, succeeding Benoît Rochet, who has taken over as Chairman of the Executive Board of HAROPA Port.

Tone Wille is the New Chair of the Board at Norled

Tone Wille succeeds Elisabeth Grieg, who has held this position since 2019.

Source: Norled on Linkedin

Red Funnel Announces New Operations Director to Enhance Service Excellence

Following a rigorous recruitment process, Red Funnel has announced the appointment of a new Operations Director.

Neil Chapman, (former MD of Hovertravel) will join the business in May 2025.

Source: Red Funnel

New CEO for Port of Trelleborg

Malin Collin was appointed as new CEO of the Port of Trelleborg in November 2024. She replaces CEO Jörgen Nilsson, who has chosen to move on to new challenges. Collin started this week.

Mar 08
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

Baleària and Axpo Iberia have taken a major step in maritime decarbonisation by supplying bioLNG to RUSADIR and MARGARITA SALAS from Enagás terminals in Huelva and Barcelona. These pioneering operations prove the viability of green corridors between European ports and beyond. A milestone in sustainable shipping, powered by certified bioLNG.

TT Line’s SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV will return to Hobart after failed charter attempts in Scotland, with its sister ship SPIRIT OF TASMANIA V now considered for lease, according to Transport Minister Eric Abetz. The second RMC newbuild begins sea trials next month, but neither ship can enter service until early 2027 when the new East Devonport terminal is ready.

Source: DCN

Mar 02
3

Finnlines Reports Strong Growth and Green Investments in 2024

By | 2025 Newsletter week 09 | No Comments

Finnlines has published its financial statements and review for the period January–December 2024. The report highlights a solid financial performance, continued fleet expansion, and strategic route developments aimed at strengthening the company’s market position across Europe.

Financial Performance

  • Revenue for 2024 reached EUR 699.3 million, up 3% from EUR 680.7 million in 2023.
  • EBITDA stood at EUR 162.0 million, compared to EUR 166.3 million in 2023.

Cargo and Passenger Growth

  • 782,000 cargo units transported (710,000 in 2023).
  • 85,000 cars carried (excluding passenger vehicles), down from 156,000 in 2023.
  • 23 million tons of freight transported, slightly down from 1.34 million in 2023.
  • Passenger numbers surged to 936,000, a 35% increase from 695,000 in 2023.

Expansion of Routes

  • New freight and passenger line: Malmö (Sweden) – Świnoujście (Poland) launched in April 2024.
  • Strategic UK shift: Freight services moved to London Medway, Sheerness, improving access to south-eastern UK.
  • Growing European network: Now connecting over 20 ports across the continent.

CEO’s Statement

Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO of Finnlines, highlighted the company’s commitment to fleet modernisation and sustainability:

“Leveraging economies of scale and expanding outside Finland, we are creating new growth opportunities. Our planned investment in methanol-powered vessels underscores Finnlines’ dedication to sustainable shipping.”

Click on the cover to access the PDF

Mar 02
3

Grimaldi Considering Methanol and Multi-Fuel Propulsion for Finnlines’ Next RoPax Newbuildings

By | 2025 Newsletter week 09 | No Comments

In its Financial Statements 2024 and Financial Review January-December 2024, the Grimaldi Group revealed that its subsidiary Finnlines “is currently considering a further investment of EUR 500 million in three new RoPax vessels, which will be powered by methanol engines capable of running on other fuels as well. These methanol, or so-called multi-fuel, vessels are projected to enter service at the beginning of 2028. Through this significant environmental investment in green vessels, Finnlines will continue to support its customers in the most sustainable way.”

Finnlines also highlights that it “has renewed its fleet over the past few years with three large-sized hybrid Finneco RoRo vessels and two large-sized hybrid Superstar RoPax vessels, and has now completed its EUR 500 million Green Investment Programme. By leveraging the fleet’s economies of scale and capitalising on recent vessel sales, Finnlines can enhance its cost efficiency while also creating new growth opportunities through its routes outside Finland.”

Mar 02
3

Moby and Tirrenia CIN Merger Set to Take Shape in the Coming Months

By | 2025 Newsletter week 09 | No Comments

Moby Group’s top management has confirmed to labour unions that the long-planned merger of Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione (CIN) into Moby is progressing and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

CIN, the vehicle company that owns the Tirrenia brand and assets, was established when the Onorato family acquired the former public ferry operator in 2012. A reverse merger was originally planned as part of the company’s restructuring, but it is only now taking shape.

The process may lead to the dismissal of around 30 administrative staff members.

Previously, CIN filed for restructuring at the Court of Milan alongside Moby. However, both companies are now financially stable. Once the merger is finalised, CIN and Tirrenia will cease to exist, leaving Moby—51% owned by the Onorato family and 49% by Aponte’s MSC—as the sole entity in the market. Moby will own and operate the fleet of ferries and tugs serving Italy’s short-sea market.

No further vessel sales or demolitions are planned in the coming months.

Mar 02
3

Rederi Ab Eckerö 2024: the Company’s Second-Highest Full Year Result Ever

By | 2025 Newsletter week 09 | No Comments
  • +8% cargo units 189,656 (176,351). Highest number ever during a full year.
  • -0.6% pax 3,121,470 (3,140,221).
  • Despite the dockings of FINLANDIA and ECKERÖ at the beginning of the year, which resulted in 3% fewer scheduled departures for the company, passenger traffic has developed well.
  • During the period from February to December 2024, a total passenger record was achieved on the company’s two routes.
  • The sale of SHIPPER was completed on 22 January, at a sales price of 4.5 MEUR. The result effect before taxes was 3.2 MEUR.
  • Sales amounted to 222.9 MEUR, which is slightly above 2023 (221.5 MEUR)
  • Operating result was 22.4 MEUR (21.4 MEUR), which is the best operating result ever.
  • Adjusted for the sales of SHIPPER (2024) and EXPORTER (2023), the operating result is 19.2 MEUR (17.6 MEUR).
  • Net result for the year amounted to 15.6 MEUR (11.5 MEUR), which is the second-best result ever.
  • On the Finland-Estonia route, the passenger market share was 28% (29%) and the market share for cargo was 40% (37%).
  • During the year, the market share between Åland and Sweden was estimated to be over four-fifths of the total travelling on that route.
  • Net debt amounted to -6.8 MEUR as of 31.12.2024 (7.2 MEUR), which means that the company’s cash and cash equivalents now exceed the total interest-bearing liabilities.

Source: Rederi AB Eckerö (PDF)

Mar 02
3

DFDS Secures New Six-Year Contract with Danish Defence for Military Transport

By | 2025 Newsletter week 09 | No Comments

DFDS has secured a new six-year contract with the Danish Defence to provide up to eight freight ferries for the transport of military equipment amid increasing geopolitical uncertainty.

The contract, which expands the scope of the current agreement, will commence in 2026. Under its terms, the RoRo vessels will be made available to the Danish Defence at short notice when required.

The agreement has been signed with the Joint Movement and Transportation Organization (JMTO) and the ARK Project (ARK), replacing the existing contract established in 2020.

Photo: Mike Louagie