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sandra

Jan 20
2

2024: Record-Breaking Results for Polish Sea Ports

By | 2025 Newsletter week 03 | No Comments

Polish seaports have achieved record-breaking results in 2024 and are setting ambitious investment plans for the future. Key highlights include:

Record-Breaking Performance in 2024:

  • Financial Growth:
    • The net profit of major Polish ports increased by 26% compared to 2023, totaling over PLN 551.7 million.
    • Port of Gdańsk saw a 24% rise in net profit, an increase of PLN 51.7 million.
    • Port of Gdynia achieved a 32% increase, gaining an additional PLN 34.2 million.
    • Port of Szczecin-Świnoujście reported a 23% rise, with an increase of PLN 27.3 million.
  • Cargo Handling:
    • Port of Gdańsk handled 81 million tonnes of goods in 2023, a 19% increase from 68 million tonnes in 2022.
    • Port of Gdynia’s transshipments rose by 5% to 29.4 million tonnes in 2023, up from 28.2 million tonnes in 2022.
    • Ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście experienced a slight decrease of approximately 4%, handling 35.3 million tonnes compared to 36.8 million tonnes previously.

Ambitious Investment Plans:

  • Port of Gdynia – Outer Port Project:
    • A new deep-water Outer Port is planned, covering about 151 hectares.
    • It will feature a container terminal with a transshipment capacity of 2.5 million TEU and deep-water quays totaling approximately 2.5 km, capable of accommodating the largest vessels entering the Baltic Sea.
    • The port will also support the transshipment of wind farm components, project cargo, general cargo, and ro-ro (e.g., cars, trains).
    • Construction is expected to commence in 2025, with completion aimed for 2028.

Strategic Importance:

  • These developments aim to strengthen Polish ports as leaders in the Baltic Sea region, serving as key hubs in global supply chains for Central and Eastern Europe.
  • The investments are expected to increase the ports’ contribution to Poland’s socio-economic development, with a goal of exceeding 150 million tonnes of cargo throughput by 2030.

These strategic investments underscore Poland’s commitment to enhancing its maritime infrastructure, boosting economic growth, and securing a prominent position in international trade.

Source: Polish Ministery of Infrastructure

https://www.gov.pl/web/infrastruktura/polskie-porty-morskie-bija-rekordy-ambitne-plany-inwestycyjne-na-przyszlosc

Jan 20
2

New Terminal Operator Appointed For The Port Of Gothenburg Vehicle And Roro Terminal

By | 2025 Newsletter week 03 | No Comments

The Port of Gothenburg has appointed Wallenius Wilhelmsen as the new operator for the port’s vehicle and RoRo terminal, following a recently conducted procurement process. The operator will take over operations in February 2026 under a twelve-year concession agreement.

Read more: https://www.portofgothenburg.com/press/newsroom/#/pressreleases/new-terminal-operator-appointed-for-the-port-of-gothenburg-vehicle-and-roro-terminal-3363645

Jan 20
2

Port of Saint-Malo Welcomes the SAINT-MALO

By | 2025 Newsletter week 03 | No Comments

Brittany Ferries and the Port of Saint-Malo proudly welcomed the SAINT-MALO, a RoPax ferry and namesake of this iconic destination, on her maiden visit.

As the third E-Flexer in Brittany Ferries’ fleet, SAINT-MALO represents a bold step towards greener maritime transport. Powered by LNG dual fuel propulsion and equipped with a 11.5 MWh battery hybrid system, she is a shining example of innovation in action.

SAINT-MALO will soon be joined by her sister ship, GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE, further cementing Brittany Ferries’ commitment to sustainable travel.

That’s why SAINT-MALO also tested the installations in the porto of Ouistreham, Caen.

Photo: Richard Vito

Jan 20
2

RoPax SAINT-MALO Heralds a New Era for Portsmouth

By | 2025 Newsletter week 03 | No Comments

The newest addition to the Brittany Ferries fleet, the hybrid SAINT-MALO, also arrived in Portsmouth for the very first time.

She is the first Brittany Ferries vessel to refuel with LNG at the port and is one of two ships set to connect to Portsmouth’s shore power system when it becomes operational later this year.

SAINT-MALO conducted berthing trials during her visit and is preparing to enter service on the St Malo route, scheduled for 12 February.

Jan 20
2

Port of Tallinn 2024 Year in Review

By | 2025 Newsletter week 03 | No Comments
  • Handled over 13 million tons of cargo, a 4.4% increase from 2023.
  • Served 8.2 million passengers, marking a 3.6% rise.
  • Tallinn-Helsinki route remained the busiest with 7.2 million passengers.
  • Muuga-Vuosaari route set a new record with 201,000 passengers.
  • Tallinn-Stockholm route saw a 4.8% increase, serving 563,000 passengers.
  • Hosted 100 cruise ship calls, bringing nearly 150,000 tourists to Tallinn.

Source: Port of Tallinn Photo: Argo Viikvald

Jan 20
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 03 | No Comments

Gotlandsbolaget has revealed a new livery for ex-DFDS ferries, now named NORDIC CROWN and NORDIC PEARL. The ships will sport a red, white, and aqua-green scheme inspired by sea tones between Copenhagen and Oslo. The DFDS Maltese cross on the chimney is replaced by Gotlandsbolaget’s “G”. PEARL, currently in dry dock for upgrades including repainting, will return to Copenhagen on January 24th, with CROWN to follow in March.

RoRo GIUSEPPE LUCCHESI has changed name into STENA SHIPPER, and flies the Danish flag.

Photo: Wikimedia

Jan 10
2

New Kid on the Block? Hibernia Line

By | 2025 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

Hibernia Line is planning a new ferry service connecting Cork (Ringaskiddy), Ireland, with Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. The project is still in the planning phase.

Route and Frequency: The proposal outlines six weekly sailings, providing a direct connection between Ireland and northern France.

Vessels: Two RoPax ferries. (*)

Launch Timeline: The service aims to begin operations in 2025, pending further development. Insiders tell us 2026 is more realistic.

Strategic Importance: This project seeks to enhance Ireland’s connectivity to mainland Europe, bypassing the UK land bridge, especially in the context of post-Brexit logistics challenges.

Leadership: The project is spearheaded by Aidan Coffey, co-founder of DFDS Seaways Ireland, which successfully launched the Rosslare-Dunkerque route in 2021.

Website: https://hibernia-line.com/

(*) GNV has refuted claims regarding the potential charter or sale of its RoPax vessels, EXCELSIOR and EXCELLENT, to Hibernia Lines. Speaking to Ferry Shipping News, GNV clarified that these vessels are slated to remain in regular operation on their current routes. Both ships have recently undergone significant structural upgrades, enhancing their interiors and service usability as part of the company’s broader fleet renewal programme.

Jan 10
2

Summary of Tallink Grupp’s 2024 Statistics

By | 2025 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

 Passenger Statistics (2024 Full Year)

    • Total passengers: 5,580,016 (↓ 2.2% compared to 2023).
    • Route-specific changes:
      • Estonia-Finland: ↑ 5%.
      • Estonia-Sweden: ↑ 0%.
      • Finland-Sweden: ↓ 4%.
    • Passenger Vehicles (2024 Full Year)
      • Total vehicles: 777,592 (↓ 7.5% compared to 2023).
      • Route-specific changes:
        • Estonia-Sweden: ↑ 8%.
        • Estonia-Finland: ↓ 6%.
        • Finland-Sweden: ↓ 2%.
      • Cargo Statistics (2024 Full Year)
        • Total cargo units: 303,234 (↓ 6.4% compared to 2023).
        • Route-specific changes:
          • Finland-Sweden: ↑ 4%.
          • Estonia-Finland: ↓ 1%.
          • Estonia-Sweden: ↓ 6%.
        • CEO’s Comments
          • Acknowledged challenging economic conditions, including EU taxes and low consumer confidence.
          • Expressed optimism for moderate economic recovery in 2025 to support trade revival.
          • Plans to continue ship charters and maintain stable dividends for investors.

 

AS Tallink Grupp Statistics for December and Q4 (2024)

In December (2024) AS Tallink Grupp transported:

460,786 passengers (-6.2%)

18,851 freight units (-16.3%)

57,955 passenger vehicles (-2.7%)

 

In Q4 (2024) AS Tallink Grupp transported:

1,310,014 passengers (-2.2%)

64,606 freight units (-15.2%)

164,586 passenger vehicles (-4.8%)

Source: https://company.tallink.com/for-investors/reports-and-financial-key-figures

Jan 10
2

Jersey: DFDS Guernsey: Brittany Ferries

By | 2025 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

Now it is official: the two Channel Islands, Jersey and Guernsey, will each have a separate ferry company deserving each island.

Early December 2024, the Government of Guernsey has signed a contract with Brittany Ferries for 15 years. Brittany Ferries is the parent company of Condor Ferries.

End of December, the Government of Jersey has signed a contract with DFDS for 20 years.

A DFDS news release explains:

  • Under the contract, DFDS will provide passenger and freight services to the UK and France: routes from Jersey to Poole, Portsmouth and Saint Malo.
  • Two primary focus areas for the ferry operation: life-line freight and passenger services for Jersey residents and tourism.
  • The last three quarters of 2025, the total number of passengers on the routes are expected to amount to around 400k of which more than half are related to tourism. The majority of freight volumes (mainly unaccompanied trailers) are transported between Portsmouth and Jersey.
  • For the last three quarters of 2025, freight volumes are expected to amount to around 450k lane metres.
  • The four ferries to be deployed include two HSCs (high-speed craft), one RoPax ferry, and one RoRo ferry.
  • As part of the concession agreement, DFDS is planning to renew the deployed fleet through mainly introduction of new-buildings between 2030 and 2032.

Quid Saint-Malo?

 Brittany Ferries submitted its schedules for 2025 to the Port of Saint-Malo on 14 November, one day earlier than DFDS. As a result, Brittany – Condor Ferries is given scheduling priority for the Port of Saint-Malo in 2025.

It will be interesting to see how Saint-Malo copes with the berthing arrangements for the different competitors.

Remark:

As of December 2023, the estimated populations of the two main Channel Islands are:

  • Jersey: approximately 103,650 residents.
  • Guernsey: approximately 64,781 residents.
  • Bailiwick of Guernsey includes Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm.

Photo: Mike Louagie