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sandra

May 17
Love3

Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö: Improvement in Q1 2025

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

The interim report for the period 1 January – 31 March 2025 highlights several key achievements and financial developments for Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö:

Operational Highlights:

  • Record Cargo Volume: 52,753 cargo units transported, a 33% increase from Q1 2024 (39,759) – the highest in a single quarter.
  • Passenger Growth: 545,534 passengers, up 15% from 473,325 in Q1 2024 – a new first-quarter record.
  • Market Share Gains:
    • Finland–Estonia route: 30% passenger market share (up from 24%) and 48% cargo market share (up from 33%).
    • Åland–Sweden route: passenger market share estimated at over 80%.
  • Fleet Operations: Three vessels operated continuously, except for FINBO CARGO’s dry-docking in late December to early January. TRANSPORTER remains chartered to DFDS.

Financial Performance:

  • Sales: €42.7 million, up 18% from €36.3 million in Q1 2024.
  • Operating Result (EBIT): Improved by €1.5 million to -€2.8 million (from -€4.3 million).
  • Net Result: -€2.1 million (improved from -€4.0 million). After adjusting for pandemic support and the 2024 sale of SHIPPER, the underlying result improved by €3.5 million.
  • Cost Increases: Operating costs rose 5% to €46.0 million, mainly due to increased personnel expenses from more vessel departures.
  • Net Financial Items: €0.2 million (improved from -€0.7 million).

Outlook for 2025:

The company expects a stable result despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

Read more: https://rederiabeckero.ax/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Interim-report-31-03-2025.pdf

May 17
Love3

DFDS April 2025 Report: Easter Timing Is Good for Passenger Numbers

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

This year Easter holidays fell in April (last year in March). In general, this decreases freight volumes and increases passenger volumes.

RoRo – freight:

  • Total volumes in April 2025 of 3.5m lane metres were 0.7% below 2024 and down 2.5% adjusted for route changes. YTD growth rates were -0.4% and -1.0%, respectively.
  • North Sea volumes were below 2024 following primarily a dip in automotive volumes between Germany and the UK.
  • Mediterranean volumes were above 2024 driven by mainly a shift of road volumes to ferry, a capacity increase between Tunisia and France, and the opening of a new route between Egypt and Italy.
  • Channel volumes were below 2024 due to mainly the Easter timing difference.
  • Baltic Sea volumes were below 2024 driven mostly by a temporary capacity reduction on one route following tonnage changes.
  • Strait of Gibraltar volumes were above 2024.
  • For the last twelve months 2025-24, the total transported freight lane metres increased 4.6% to 41.4m from 39.6m in 2024-23. The increase was 0.7% adjusted for route changes.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers in April 2025 was adjusted for route changes* up 15.1% to 432k vs 2024 and the adjusted YTD growth rate was -3.2%.
  • The monthly increase was driven by mainly the Easter timing difference.
  • The number of cars in April was 13.0% above 2024 adjusted for route changes.
  • For the last twelve months 2025-24, the total number of passengers increased 15.9% to 5.9m compared to 5.1m for 2024-23. The increase was 3.7% adjusted for route changes.

*Adjusted for sale of Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen end October 2025, Tarifa-Tanger Ville due to considerable capacity changes ahead of exit from route early May 2025, and addition of Jersey routes from end March 2025.

May 17
Love3

Significantly Better Q1 Financial Results for Port and Ferry Operator Tallinna Sadam Group

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

In Q1 of 2025, Tallinna Sadam group showed growth. Tallinna Sadam is one of the largest cargo- and passenger port complexes in the Baltic Sea region. In addition to passenger and freight services, Tallinna Sadam group also operates in shipping business via its subsidiaries – OÜ TS Laevad provides ferry services between the Estonian mainland, and others

Ferry business was stabile – although the number of passengers decreased by –2.1%, the number of vehicles increased by +2.1%.

“We are satisfied with the results of the first quarter. Although we see a slight decrease in the number of passengers and cargo volumes, the financial results are significantly better than last year.” Valdo Kalm, Chairman of the Management Board.

Click on table below to read more:

May 17
Love3

SHIPS

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

Washington State Ferries Gets Only Two Bids for the Newbuildings

Only two U.S. shipyards submitted bids on Monday 12 May to build a new generation of up to five new, “hybrid-electric 160-auto ferries” for Washington State Ferries.

The yards are Eastern Shipbuilding Group of Panama City, Florida and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Freeland, Washington.

A contract is expected to be awarded this summer.

A good article in the Washington State Standard explains the discrepancy between the budget set aside (1.3 billion USD) and the costs which are expected to rise considerably.

“I don’t see how you get to five. There’s money for three on a good day,” said state House Transportation Committee Chair Jake Fey, D-Tacoma.

Read the full article here: https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/05/12/washington-state-ferry-bids/

May 17
Love3

SUPERSTAR II on the Piraeus – Eastern Aegean Run for the 2025 Summer Season

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

Seajets is set to deploy the SUPERSTAR II (ex-COLOR VIKING) on the Piraeus–Mykonos–Ikaria–Samos route during the 2025 summer season, with an extension to Patmos–Leros–Kalymnos twice a week. The service will begin on June 14 and, according to Seajets’ plans, will run until October 30, 2025.

The vessel was purchased from Color Line at the end of November 2022 and delivered in February 2023.

May 17
Love3

ARIADNE Reassigned to the North Aegean Route

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

It is reported that Attica Group will replace NISSOS RODOS with ARIADNE on the Piraeus–Chios–Mytilene route for the 2025 summer season. The ship is expected to enter service at the end of May, offering additional cabin capacity to passengers during the peak season. Furthermore, Attica will introduce a new Saturday day sailing on this route.

ARIADNE will be replaced on her Patras–Ancona route by the fully renovated SUPERFAST IV.

May 17
Love3

PORTS AND ROUTES

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

Baleària Criticises Ibiza Car Access Plan for Lack of Preparation

Just weeks before Ibiza’s planned vehicle access restrictions take effect on 1 June, Baleària warns that the necessary systems—such as a reservation platform, legal framework, and enforcement methods—are still not in place. The ferry company, while supporting the goal of reducing road congestion, has filed for a suspension of the measure, criticising the Island Council’s poor planning and arguing that cars arriving by boat only account for 1.5% of Ibiza’s vehicle fleet during summer.

May 17
Love3

CLdN to Increase Capacity on Liverpool-Dublin Route by 25%

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

CLdN announced a 25% capacity increase on its Liverpool – Dublin service. The increase will be achieved through the deployment of 4-deck, 3,700-lane-metres RoRo vessels.

  • Environmental benefits: larger ships will reduce customers’ CO2 emissions per tonne of transported cargo by up to 50%.
  • The new, scalable schedule comprises 24 return sailings per week and will operate between CLdN’s recently refurbished Brocklebank Dock terminal in the Port of Liverpool and the Port of Dublin.
  • The capacity increase is a direct benefit of the recently completed expansion and refurbishment of the Liverpool terminal.
  • CLdN carries more than 200.000 freight units on the route every year.
May 17
Love3

First Ever Car Train Arrives in Port of Ostend

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

On 15 May 2025, the Port of Ostend welcomed its first ever car train, marking a historic moment in the port’s development. This event also signalled the reactivation of rail freight traffic in the port after more than 15 years, made possible through close collaboration with Infrabel.

The new rail link forms part of Ostend’s strategy to develop a sustainable, intermodal logistics platform, complementing its existing short sea shipping services. The trains will serve Ostend’s Tilbury terminal, connecting directly to various European destinations.

This development underscores Ostend’s ambition to become a major logistics hub, offering efficient and greener alternatives to road transport, and reinforcing its role in the modal shift toward rail and maritime freight.

Photo © Port Ostend

May 17
Love3

DIGITAL

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

Brittany Ferries and Visit Group Join Forces to Drive Digital Transformation

“Our goal is to increase holiday passenger volumes by 15% over the next five years”

Maria Mathieu, Head of Digital Products at Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries has partnered with Visit Group to modernize its digital booking systems. This collaboration aims to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency by adopting Visit Group’s modular platform. The new system will offer real-time availability and pricing, streamline internal processes, and support Brittany Ferries’ goal of increasing holiday passenger numbers by 15% over the next five years.

Visit Group provides smart software and technology for the experience and hospitality industry- enabling seamless operations, effortless room and ticket sales, tailored packaging of stays with experiences, and consistent revenue growth across channels.

Read more: https://www.visitgroup.com/visit-group-welcomes-brittany-ferries-new-partner-digital-transformation-journey