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sandra

Oct 24
3

Tallink: Strong Q3, Challenges Reflected in First Nine Months

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

AS Tallink Grupp reported a net profit of €40.8 million for Q3 2025, driven by a strong summer season and revenue of €233.1 million. Passenger numbers rose 3% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

However, the first nine months reflect economic headwinds, vessel lay-ups, and maintenance periods. Revenue reached €577.3 million (–4.2%), while net profit dropped to €5.1 million (from €45.5 million). EBITDA was €102.5 million, down €47 million. Loan and interest payments totalled €96.2 million.

“The summer brought solid growth in passenger numbers and profitability,” said CEO Paavo Nõgene. “But full-year results still show the impact of the economic climate and geopolitical tensions.”

Maintenance work on BALTIC PRINCESS and SILJA SERENADE reduced volumes on Finland–Sweden routes, and up to four idle vessels also weighed on results. These ships have since been sold or redeployed.

Click on photo to access the Q3 report

Oct 24
3

Viking Line: Stronger Q3

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Viking Line Abp reported a solid third quarter for 2025, with sales of €152.5 million (€151.5 million in Q3 2024) and operating income of €28.7 million (€29.4 million). Income after taxes rose to €29.3 million, up from €24.9 million.

For January–September 2025, sales reached €368.3 million (€370.6 million), and operating income stood at €17.5 million (€25.2 million). Net profit after taxes was €12.0 million (€12.4 million). Investments totalled €15.4 million, mainly in GABRIELLA and VIKING XPRS.

President and CEO Jan Hanses said the third quarter was “stronger than last year,” noting that better late-summer weather supported travel and onboard sales. “Our expectation of improvement was met, albeit modestly,” he added.

The accumulated result was affected by dockings of GABRIELLA and VIKING XPRS, but Hanses expects a full-year result in line with 2024. He also cited challenges from higher fairway dues, ETS charges, and a strained economic climate reducing consumer spending.

Hanses highlighted continued record-high customer satisfaction and thanked staff, customers, and partners for their commitment. After nearly four decades at the company, he will step down as CEO on 3 November, handing over to Marcus Risberg, and will continue as a board member.

The Board expects pre-tax profits for 2025 to be on par with 2024, in line with earlier forecasts.

Click on Viking Line Investors for the full report

Oct 24
3

Stena RoRo signs Letter of Intent with China Merchant Industries Weihai for 2 C-Flexer RoRo Cargo ships

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Stena RoRo AB confirmed last week’s news: it has signed a Letter of Intent for 2+2+2 RoRo cargo ships with a capacity of 3,000-4,700 lane metres.

This LOI is a strategic investment for Stena RoRo in a segment which for a long time has been underinvested.

Stena C-Flexer, basic specifications:

  • Length: 200 m
  • Draught: 7,3 m
  • Beam: 28 or 31 m
  • Speed: 21 knots

Capacity: 3-deck version: 3,000 – 3,400 lane metres

Capacity: 4-deck version: 4,100 – 4,700 lane metres

Oct 24
3

HSC SKÅNE JET Sold to Seajets

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Since 17 October 2025, FRS’s HSC SKÅNE JET has been renamed EUROCHAMPION JET 2 following her sale to Seajets of Greece. The vessel is currently moored in Trelleborg and is expected to depart for Greece by the end of October.

Built by Incat, Australia (1998), the vessel has a capacity for 900 passengers and 240 cars and operates at 41 knots, with a maximum speed of 48 knots.

The fast ferry has had a varied career, previously sailing for Scandlines (1998–1999), Mols-Linien (1999–2005), Master Ferries (2006–2008), Fjord Line (2008–2020), and FRS (2020–2025). As CAT-LINK V, she once set the eastbound transatlantic record for the fastest car-carrying passenger vessel.

Photo: FRS

Oct 24
3

Grimaldi Group and China Merchants Shenzhen RoRo Shipping Sign Cooperation Agreement

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

The Grimaldi Group and China Merchants Shenzhen RoRo Shipping have signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement aimed at expanding capacity and strengthening service networks to support Chinese exports.

The new partnership leverages the complementary strengths of both companies, focusing on operational synergies, network integration, and enhanced logistics efficiency.

Customers will benefit from increased loading capacity, optimised resources, and a broader, more efficient service network across China and the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Both companies reaffirmed their commitment to innovation, reliability, and sustainable growth in global maritime transport and logistics.

Oct 24
3

GNV VIRGO Delivered in China

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments
  • GNV VIRGO, the first LNG-powered vessel in GNV’s fleet, has been delivered by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China.
  • The ship is part of GNV’s fleet renewal plan, which foresees eight newbuilds by 2030.
  • She follows GNV POLARIS and GNV ORION, already operating on Italian routes.
  • A naming ceremony is scheduled for 11 December in Palermo, before entering service on the Genoa–Palermo route.
  • Equipped for cold ironing, reducing emissions and noise in port.
  • Features SCR and waste heat recovery systems, compliant with IMO Tier III and EEDI Phase II standards.
  • Key figures: 52,300 gt, 218m length, 29.6m beam, 25 knots, 420+ cabins, 1,785 passengers, 2,770 lane metres of cargo.
Oct 24
3

Attica Group to Launch New Ferry Route

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

On 16 October 2025, the Coastal Transport Council of the Hellenic Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy approved a new ferry route at the request of Attica Group.

The new Piraeus–Milos–Crete (Chania/Souda) line will be operated by RoPax ARIADNE and RoPax KISSAMOS. Departures from Piraeus are scheduled for 22:00, arriving in Milos at 02:35 and Souda at 07:00. The return service from Souda will depart at 21:00, arriving in Milos at 01:30 and Piraeus at 06:10.

The new line will strengthen connectivity between Crete, the Cyclades, and Piraeus, offering additional travel and freight options.

Oct 24
3

Port of Antwerp-Bruges: RoRo Growth Amid Overall Cargo Decline

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

In the first nine months of 2025, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 202.6 million tonnes of maritime goods, down 3.8% year-on-year. While container volumes remained stable, bulk traffic fell due to international uncertainty.

The standout performer was the RoRo segment, which grew 3.3%, mainly driven by strong car imports from China. The RoRo category also includes PCTCs (pure car and truck carriers), underlining the port’s growing importance as a key European gateway for vehicle logistics.

In contrast, dry bulk decreased 8.9% (weaker fertiliser shipments), and liquid bulk dropped 13.5%, though biofuels and energy gases continued to rise.

Trade with the United States increased 15%, fuelled by container and liquid bulk traffic, but new US import tariffs are starting to weigh on European exports, particularly steel.

Despite global headwinds, the port remains a resilient hub for trade and energy transition.

Photo Mike Louagie

Read more here

Oct 24
3

New Agadir–Cádiz RoPax Ferry Line to Boost Trade and Jobs

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

A new RoPax service is planned between Agadir (Morocco) and Cádiz (Spain), launching at the end of February 2026, writes Maritime News (in French).

The line will run three round-trips per week, with a crossing time of around 24 hours.

The vessel is expected to carry up to 120 trucks and 240 passengers.

The link aims to unclog the port of Tangier Med, offer a closer gateway for regional exporters, and reduce logistics costs while improving export competitiveness from southern Morocco.

The ship operator has committed to recruiting and training Moroccan seafarers, contributing to job creation and skills development locally.

The new route is part of broader efforts to diversify Morocco’s maritime corridors and strengthen the position of the Souss‐Massa region as an emerging Euro‐Mediterranean trade hub. There was already an attempt to launch a freight service earlier this year.

Oct 24
3

ESPO Regrets Postponement of IMO Net-Zero Framework

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has expressed serious concern over the International Maritime Organisation’s decision to postpone adoption of the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) by one year. The delay, agreed at the MEPC meeting in London, risks slowing global climate ambition and the pace of maritime decarbonisation.

The NZF was intended to set a global regulatory framework for shipping emissions, including a fuel standard and carbon pricing mechanism. ESPO called the postponement a missed opportunity, warning it could prolong regulatory fragmentation and undermine the momentum for a unified global approach.

ESPO urges the European Commission to maintain progress through tax incentives for clean fuels, subsidies, and ETS revenues directed towards onshore power supply and clean fuel infrastructure.

“The postponement should not lead to a cancellation of ambition,” ESPO stated, calling on governments, industry, and civil society to stay engaged in developing a credible and ambitious global framework for shipping’s energy transition.