All Posts By

sandra

Apr 17
Love3

DFDS March Volumes Show Continued Good Momentum

By 2026 Newsletter week 16
  • DFDS reported total March 2026 freight volumes of 3.9 million lane metres, up 4.2% year-on-year.
  • Adjusted for route changes, freight growth was 3.0%.
  • North Sea volumes increased, driven mainly by stronger traffic between the Continent and the UK.
  • Channel volumes were above 2025 levels, supported by higher Dover Strait traffic and the ramp-up of Jersey services.
  • Baltic Sea volumes also increased, while Strait of Gibraltar traffic was above last year.
  • Mediterranean volumes were lower overall, although utilisation improved following capacity reductions on one main route.
  • Over the last twelve months, total freight volumes rose 0.6% to 41.8 million lane metres.
  • March passenger numbers, adjusted for route changes, increased 11.3% to 261,000.
  • Passenger growth was mainly driven by higher volumes on Dover Strait routes.
  • Over the last twelve months, total passengers fell 19.5% to 5.1 million, or 11.8% lower adjusted for route changes.
Apr 17
Love3

Viking Line Sees Strong Growth in International Travel

By 2026 Newsletter week 16
  • Viking Line carried 4.6 million passengers last year across its five vessels.
  • More than half of all travellers came from outside Finland.
  • Over 16% of passengers were from countries other than Finland, Sweden or Estonia.
  • German travellers remain the largest international group.
  • Chinese passenger numbers have quadrupled in two years.
  • During Chinese New Year in February 2025, more than 4,500 Chinese guests travelled with Viking Line, double the previous year.
  • Passenger numbers are also rising from the US, India, Japan and Australia.
  • Viking Line says cooler Nordic climates are attracting travellers from southern Europe seeking alternatives to hotter Mediterranean destinations.
  • Passenger numbers from Spain and Italy continue to rise.
  • International visitors help reduce seasonal swings, with travel spread more evenly across the year.
  • Many overseas travellers include Baltic Sea cruises as part of wider Nordic tours.
  • Viking Line is increasing sales efforts in Asia, the US, German-speaking Europe and southern Europe.

Top Growth Markets (March 2025–February 2026)

  • China +56%
  • Ukraine +17%
  • USA +17%
  • Spain +16%
  • UK +15%
  • India +10%
  • Lithuania +9%
  • Germany +8%
  • Latvia +7%
  • Poland +5%
Apr 17
Love3

Port of Thessaloniki Reports Record 2025 Results

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

Wallenius Lines has entered into an agreement to acquire SOL Group’s shares in Wallenius SOL, becoming the company’s sole owner.

The new ownership structure is intended to provide long-term stability, clarity, and continuity for Wallenius SOL’s further development. The company says this will strengthen its role as an enabler of sustainable, sea-based infrastructure in Northern Europe.

Apr 17
Love3

Wallenius Lines To Take Full Ownership of Wallenius SOL

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

Wallenius Lines has entered into an agreement to acquire SOL Group’s shares in Wallenius SOL, becoming the company’s sole owner.

The new ownership structure is intended to provide long-term stability, clarity, and continuity for Wallenius SOL’s further development. The company says this will strengthen its role as an enabler of sustainable, sea-based infrastructure in Northern Europe.

Apr 17
Love3

Attica Group’s Latest Aero Highspeed Ferries Arrive in Greece

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

On 12 April 2026, Attica Group’s latest additions, AERO HIGHSPEED 4 and AERO HIGHSPEED 5, arrived in Greece on board the cargo vessel JIN FU.

The two vessels, formerly named MEI ZHU HU and JIN ZHU HU, were acquired from China in March. Before their sale, they operated on the Zhongshan–Hong Kong route and were delivered from Guangzhou Panyu Lianhuashan Port.

They have now been sent to the ONEX yard at Elefsis for refit ahead of entry into service this summer. The vessels are expected to replace FLYING CAT 3, FLYING CAT 4, FLYING CAT 5, and FLYING CAT 6 on Attica’s Saronic routes.

Built in Norway by Brødrene Aa in 2016 and 2017, the two highspeed craft can carry 270 passengers and have a service speed of 35 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Apr 17
Love3

AF MARINA Chartered for Cyprus–Greece Passenger Link

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

The Shipping Deputy Ministry has confirmed the return of the Cyprus–Greece maritime passenger connection for a fifth consecutive year. Services will resume this May.

The seasonal route has become a reliable transport option, offering passengers an alternative to air travel and serving essential mobility needs.

The first sailing is scheduled to depart Limassol on 29 May. The final voyage from Piraeus to Limassol will take place on 1 September.

This year’s service will be operated by passenger RoRo ferry AF MARINA, which is expected to provide upgraded onboard services and passenger amenities.

Ferrando & Massone acted as shipbroker for the charter agreement.

Apr 17
Love3

Sea-Cargo Completes Hybrid Retrofit of TRANS HAV and TRANS SOL

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

Sea-Cargo has completed a major rebuild of TRANS HAV and TRANS SOL, marking another step in its fleet modernisation and decarbonisation strategy.

The two vessels now operate with an integrated hybrid energy platform combining wind, solar and battery technology. Each ship has been fitted with three rotor sails, 1,600 m² of solar panels, battery storage systems, new propellers optimised for 14-knot service speed, shore power connectivity and upgraded control systems.

Sea-Cargo says the latest rebuild delivers a 35% reduction in CO2 emissions per tonne transported, while the company’s upgraded fleet has achieved a 50% total emission reduction.

Under favourable wind conditions, the rotor sails can generate thrust equivalent to around 7,500 kW, significantly reducing engine load. Solar panels also provide renewable electricity while increasing protected cargo capacity through an integrated garage deck.

The vessels continue to trade between Norway and continental Europe under long-term industrial contracts, including cooperation with Hydro. Sea-Cargo said stable cargo volumes and fixed routes were essential to justify investments of this scale.

Apr 17
Love3

BLUJET Acquires Catamaran STAR

By 2026 Newsletter week 16
  • BLUJET, part of the Italian State Railway group, has purchased the catamaran STAR after operating the vessel for several years under a bareboat charter.
  • The seller was a Croatian company.
  • Ferrando & Massone acted as broker in the transaction.
  • STAR was built in 2019.
  • The vessel is 31 metres long with a beam of 9 metres.
  • Passenger capacity is 300.
  • Propulsion is provided by two MTU engines.
  • Service speed is up to 34 knots.
Apr 17
Love3

GNV Deploys New LNG Ferries on Italy–Morocco Route

By 2026 Newsletter week 16
  • GNV, part of the MSC Group, will strengthen its Italy–Morocco network by deploying newbuild ferries GNV AURORA and GNV VIRGO from summer 2026.
  • The vessels will operate on the Genoa–Tangier Med route via Barcelona, with Barcelona serving as a transit hub.
  • GNV AURORA will enter service on 1 June, followed by GNV VIRGO on 1 July.
  • Both ships will operate weekly departures from Genoa, their homeport, with LNG bunkering scheduled every four days.

Passenger Demand and Marhaba Traffic

  • The expanded service is aimed at growing passenger demand, particularly Moroccan citizens living in Europe travelling home during the annual Operation Marhaba summer migration.
  • GNV said the new ships will improve capacity, comfort and schedule reliability on the route.

Freight Importance

  • Tangier Med remains a strategic logistics gateway for North Africa and a growing hub for trade between Europe and Africa.
  • The new vessels offer increased freight capacity and improved operational efficiency, supporting commercial flows between Italy and Morocco.

Vessel Specifications

  • Capacity for more than 1,700 passengers.
  • 426 cabins.
  • Up to 2,780 lane metres of freight space.

Environmental Performance

  • Both vessels are LNG-powered.
  • GNV says CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 50% per unit of cargo carried compared with previous-generation ships.
  • The ferries are also prepared for shore power (cold ironing), allowing zero direct emissions while in port.

Local Presence

  • Operations in Morocco will be led by Carole Montarsolo, appointed Managing Director of GNV Morocco in October.
  • Long-standing partner Mohammed Kabbaj will continue to support institutional and commercial relations.
Apr 17
Love3

SCA Switches European RoRo Calls to Vlissingen

By 2026 Newsletter week 16
  • SCA will move its RoRo calls for kraftliner and pulp from Rotterdam to Vlissingen from 1 October 2026.
  • The change covers vessels serving Western and Central Europe and also applies to complementary bulk vessels.
  • SCA said the move supports lower emissions, improved cost efficiency and stronger competitiveness.
  • Shorter port calls are expected to save several hours per voyage, improving vessel efficiency and delivery reliability.
  • Earlier adjustments to Swedish RoRo operations already reduced emissions by 40% per transported tonne-kilometre through lower sailing speeds.
  • In Vlissingen, vessels will discharge kraftliner and pulp, while loading recycled fibre, general cargo and RoRo cargo for Sweden.
  • Annual cargo volumes are estimated at 400,000–450,000 tonnes.
  • Logistics partner Verbrugge will handle the operations.
  • SCA highlighted strong road and rail links, plus barge co-loading opportunities for larger and more efficient inland transport solutions.

Photo: Linda Snell