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sandra

May 17
Love3

Flying Fish Welcomes CPAC Systems as Strategic Investor and Partner

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

Flying Fish Maritime Innovations B.V., a Dutch pioneer in digital maritime technology and advice, announced a minority investment from CPAC Systems AB, a subsidiary of the Volvo Group, on May 7th, 2025. CPAC Systems (Sweden) is specialized in developing advanced control and automation systems for marine, construction and commercial vehicle industries. For the Flying Fish team, this step marks the beginning of a broader strategic partnership aimed at accelerating sales growth, product innovation, industrialization, and team development.

Read more: https://www.flying-fish.tech/news

May 17
Love3

SALES AND MARKETING

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

Eurovision Act KAJ Sells Out Cruise in Record Time
Viking Line’s Dialect Cruise on 18 September with Eurovision act KAJ sold out immediately, prompting a second concert on 19 September aboard VIKING GRACE. With nearly 70 music-themed cruises planned this year, music continues to drive strong demand and premium spending onboard.

Read more: https://news.cision.com/viking-line-abp/r/kaj-fever-on-the-baltic-sea—an-extra-concert-on-viking-grace-september-19-can-now-be-booked,c4148965

May 17
Love3

IN THE MEDIA

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

InfoPuertos [in Spanish]

Baleària Wants To Acquire Armas To Be a National Shipping Company Serving the Entire Country

The dispute over Armas Trasmediterránea has become a key issue for Spain’s maritime future, particularly for the Canary Islands, where the company symbolises vital regional connectivity. On one side, Baleària, led by Adolfo Utor, is aiming for national dominance by acquiring Armas, while on the other, a Canarian coalition supported by Vicente Boluda is fighting to keep control local—making this more than a business deal, but a turning point for territorial logistics and cohesion.

News.err.ee [link]

Tallink CEO: Finnish tourists haven’t disappeared but fewer trips made to Estonia

In March, Estonian accommodation establishments hosted 19 percent fewer tourists than during the same month last year.

Tallink Group CEO Paavo Nõgene said that Estonia has become an increasingly expensive destination and fewer Finns than before are visiting.

The number of people traveling from Estonia to Finland has also declined, mainly due to a sharp drop in the number of workers commuting to jobs in Finland.

Despite the challenges, Tallink is approaching the summer with optimism.

BBC [link]

Shipyard confirms new delay and cost rise for CalMac ferry

The delivery date for GLEN ROSA, the second of two dual-fuel CalMac ferries being built by the nationalised Ferguson shipyard, has been put back by up to nine months. Delivery April-June 2026 (instead of planned 2018).

May 17
Love1

IMAGE CARDS

By 2025 Newsletter week 20

The contract for two new vessels for Western Ferries’ Gourock to Dunoon route was formally signed at a ceremony at APCL Cammell Laird’s facility in Birkenhead between Western Ferries’ MD Gordon Ross and APCL Group Chief Technology Officer Linton Roberts on 6th May 2025.

They were joined by Graeme Fletcher, Technical Director, Alistair McLundie, Operations Director, Samantha Proctor, Finance Director and James Harris from Western Ferries and APCL Group CEO David McGinley along with Mike Hill, Managing Director of APCL Cammell Laird.

Facebook Group Irish Ferries Enthusiasts (George Holland)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/568009444784794/

May 09
Love3

FINANCE FACTS FIGURES

By 2025 Newsletter week 19

DFDS Q1 2025: 10 Key Takeaways from the CEO’s Comments

  1. 2025 is a transitional year
    DFDS is laying the groundwork to improve financial performance after a challenging 2024.
  2. Most business units on track
    The majority of business units are maintaining or improving performance as expected.
  3. Three focus areas are being addressed
    Efforts are underway to:

    • Adapt Mediterranean ferry operations to increased competition
    • Turn around Logistics in Türkiye & Europe South by year-end
    • Delivering on the Logistics turnaround projects initiated in 2024.
  4. Continued negative impact from focus areas
    The earnings drag from the three problem areas persisted into Q1, as anticipated.
  5. Earnings trend improving from March
    Initial signs of improvement emerged in March, thanks to turnaround actions.
  6. Turnaround actions implemented
    DFDS has:

    • Raised prices
    • Adjusted capacity
    • Reduced headcount
    • Shut down unprofitable activities
    • Merged or closed offices.
  7. More improvements expected in Q2 and beyond
    The CEO expects a more visible earnings recovery from Q2 2025 onwards.
  8. Geopolitical tailwinds validate network strategy
    Expansion into nearshoring markets like Türkiye and Morocco is being reinforced by current geopolitical shifts and Europe’s drive for self-reliance.
  9. No short-term economic boost expected
    Muted European growth is anticipated for 2025, with potential risks from shifting US policies. Germany’s stepped-up investment in defence and infrastructure is projected to support European growth, with tangible effects anticipated in 2026.
  10. Stronger financials expected in H2
    Cash flow is improving due to working capital and capex discipline. DFDS expects stronger financial solidity in the second half of the year as earnings rise and debt falls.

Q1 2025

  • Revenue up 8% to DKK 7.5bn. Organic growth was -1%
  • EBIT reduced DKK 317m to DKK -117m
  • Adjusted free cash flow increased DKK 573m to DKK 246m
  • CO2 ferry emission intensity from own fleet lowered 5.9%

Read the Q1 2025 interim report here:

https://www.dfds.com/en/about/investors/reports-and-presentations/q1-report-2025

May 09
Love3

April Brings Passenger Growth for Tallink

By 2025 Newsletter week 19

In April 2025 AS Tallink Grupp transported:

  • +4.5% passengers = 416,468
  • +9.9% passenger vehicles = 59,770
  • -34.1% cargo units = 21,889

compared to the same period a year ago.

It’s very possible that the improved passenger and passenger vehicle figures for April 2025 are at least partly influenced by the timing of Easter.

Easter is a major holiday period for travel, especially in regions like the Baltics and Nordics.

In 2025, Easter Sunday fell on 20 April, whereas in 2024, it was on 31 March. That means the entire Easter holiday travel period was in April 2025, while in 2024 it mostly fell in March.

May 09
Love3

Irish Continental Group Confident

By 2025 Newsletter week 19

Volumes (Year to date, 3 May 2025)

2025 2024 Change vs 2024
Cars 140,800 151,500 -7.1%
RoRo Freight 259,400 260,900 -0.6%
Container (teu) 132,800 103,300 +28.6%
Terminal Lifts 123,500 112,500 +9.8%

 

Volumes (Since last update, 1 March to 3 May 2025)

2025 2024 Change vs 2024
Cars 91,500 92,100 -0.7%
RoRo Freight 147,200 143,200 +2.8%
Container (teu) 69,000 55,700 +23.9%
Terminal Lifts 66,200 60,400 +9.6%

 

Irish Continental Group (1 January to 30 April 2025)

  • New US tariffs have created uncertainty in some trading flows.
  • Strong business model and balance sheet enable continued expansion.
  • Recent acquisitions include the JAMES JOYCE cruise ferry and an additional container ship.
  • Company capitalises on market weakness to grow on favourable financial terms.
  • Consolidated Group revenue rose by 7.1% to €189.5 million (2024: €177.0 million).

 

Ferries Division Overview (1 January to 30 April 2025)

  • Total revenues: €118.8 million (2024: €119.7 million), slight decline of 0.8% year-on-year
  • Traffic Volumes (year to 3 May 2025):
    • Cars carried: 140,800 (↓ 7.1%)
    • Freight (RoRo units): 259,400 (↓ 0.6%)
  • Early 2025 volumes affected by Holyhead Port closure. Partial reopening in mid-January led to market stabilisation. Full reopening expected on 1 July 2025

Read the trading update here

May 09
Love3

Finnlines Q1 2025: What Does the new CEO Say?

By 2025 Newsletter week 19

10 key takeaways from Thomas Doepel, President and CEO

  1. Q1 2025 was “quite satisfactory”
    CEO Thomas Doepel reported a solid start to the year, with profitability improved through strategic adjustments made in 2024.
  2. Fleet rationalisation paid off
    By optimising fleet composition and reorganising freight services, Finnlines boosted its profitability despite market challenges.
  3. Falling interest rates supported results
    Alongside operational changes, reduced debt levels and lower interest rates were major contributors to improved financial performance.
  4. Significant growth in earnings
    Revenue rose to EUR 166.0 million (up from EUR 162.2 million), and EBT surged to EUR 7.9 million (from just EUR 0.4 million in Q1 2024).
  5. Solid transport volumes
    In Q1, Finnlines transported:

    • 194,000 cargo units
    • 18,000 cars
    • 297,000 tonnes of non-unitised freight
    • 165,000 passengers
  6. New RoPax ships ordered by parent company
    After the reporting period, the Grimaldi Group announced an order for nine new ro-pax vessels, including three for the Baltic Sea (Helsinki–Travemünde)
  7. Methanol-ready engines for future fleet
    All nine new vessels will be methanol-capable, aligning with Finnlines’ ambition to reach net zero emissions.
  8. Geopolitical tensions remain—but optimism is emerging
    While the situation in Europe remains uncertain, a possible stabilisation in Ukraine could open new growth avenues in Northern Europe.
  9. Germany’s infrastructure push seen as a growth catalyst
    Germany’s EUR 500 billion investment plan is expected to stimulate economic activity—Finnlines aims to capitalise on this as a Baltic Sea leader.
  10. Finnlines well-positioned in the Baltic
    With up to 26 weekly departures between Finland and Germany, and nearly 40 between Sweden and Germany, Finnlines is strategically placed to benefit from any upturn in demand.

Read the Q1 2025 interim report here, by clicking on the cover: