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sandra

Jan 10
2

New “Obligación de Servicio Público” for Melilla – Iberian Peninsula Ferries

By | 2025 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

The new two-year Public Service Obligation contracts (Obligación de Servicio Público or OSP) for the Spanish enclave Melilla generated changes in the maritime routes since 1 January 2025. None of the three routes will face competition, which users of the route see as a threat.

Armas Trasmediterránea

  • Armas Trasmediterránea has been awarded the Almeria-Melilla and Motril-Melilla OSP contract
  • RoPax VOLCAN DE TIMANFAYA
  • 3 weekly rotations per route
  • Additional rotations during the Christmas, Easter and summer holiday periods, as well as when there is high demand for the service
  • Armas Trasmediterránea will stop operating the historic Malaga-Melilla route
  • Base price awarded by the OSP: €9.234 million annually

Baleària

  • Baleària has been awarded the Málaga – Melilla OSP contract
  • RoPax RUSADIR
  • 6 weekly rotations
  • Baleària will withdraw from Almeria-Melilla and Motril-Melilla
  • Base price awarded by the OSP: €10.44 million annually

Source: https://www.transportes.gob.es/el-ministerio/sala-de-prensa/noticias/mar-10092024-1451

Jan 10
2

Corsica Ferries Sold Elba Ferries to Blu Navy

By | 2025 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

Corsica Ferries will no longer operate the maritime link between the port of Piombino and Portoferraio on the Elba Islands. The company, controlled by Pierre Mattei, announced the sale of the Elba Ferries brand to BN di Navigazione (operating through Blu Navy).

The line, which has been operated every summer with the HSC CORSICA EXPRESS THREE, will now be chartered by Corsica Ferries to Blu Navy.

Over the course of 13 seasons, Elba Ferries transported more than 2.6 million passengers and over 830,000 vehicles on more than 13,000 trips, the company explained.

“The sale of Elba Ferries is part of our strategic plan, which, from 2025, will focus on the constant improvement of quality and the strengthening of our fleet. We will concentrate our energies, strategies, and investments on Corsica, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands, as well as on new products such as mini-cruises,” said Sébastien Romani, Chief Sales Officer of Forship SPA (Corsica Sardinia Ferries).

Jan 10
2

Strike Announced at Corsica Linea and La Méridionale

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The CGT union has called for a 48-hour strike from 13 to 15 January, raising concerns about foreign competition and the future of French maritime jobs. (note from editor: why strike at the companies who do fly the French flag?)

  • GNV Expansion: Italian operator GNV is reportedly planning a new ferry route between Sète and Algeria, adding to its services to Morocco.
  • Worker Protections: CGT warns that foreign-flagged ships, like GNV’s, operate under less protective regulations, creating unfair competition.
  • Public Service Funding: The union demands better funding for territorial continuity routes, crucial for connecting Corsica and other destinations.
  • Strike Goal: Protect jobs, support the French flag, and ensure fair competition in the maritime sector.

Remark: the three other unions will not strike.

Jan 10
2

GNV Rumoured to Launch New RoPax Line Between France and Algeria

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MSC-controlled ferry operator GNV has not commented on market rumours, but multiple sources suggest the company is preparing to inaugurate a new RoPax line connecting the port of Sète in southern France with Algeria.

The French publication Le Marin reported this week that GNV recently secured the necessary authorisations in France. However, this development has sparked concerns among labour unions about increased competition, which could impact existing operators such as Algérie Ferries and Corsica Linea.

Jan 10
2

Fanølinjen Back on Track

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In both 2022 and 2023, the number of cars transported by Fanølinjen decreased, but that pattern now appears to have been broken. This is largely the result of good cooperation with Fanø municipality throughout 2024. Also passengers and freight numbers have increased.

  • +12% cars (from 410,656 in the year 2023 to 460,450 in last year)
  • +2.4% pax (from 1,868,784 to 1,914,308)
  • +5% truck (from 8,796 to 9,240)

Fanølinjen, part of Molslinjen, is a Danish ferry line between Esbjerg and the island of Fanø.

Jan 10
2

More Freight for Langelandslinjen Ferries because of Fixed Link Construction

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For freight, 2024 was a record year for Langelandslinjen. Many of the trucks were carrying materials for the construction of the Fehmarnbelt connection.

+12% trucks (from 28,716 to 33,795)

-1% pax (from 536,803 to 531,511)

-1% cars (from 218,505 to 216,009)

Langelandslinjen, part of Molslinjen, is a ferry line between Spodsbjerg and Tårs (Denmark).

The distance to Rødby from Tårs is 42km.

Jan 10
3

Bornholmlinjen Passes the Two Million Pax Mark

By | 2025 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

For the first time Bornholm Line’s ferries had more than two million travellers to and from the Danish Island: 2,005,564 passengers took the return trip on one of the three routes to Bornholm in 2024.

Throughout 2025, EXPRESS 5 will sail side by side with EXPRESS 1. The latter will be rebuilt to be more identical to EXPRESS 5 (with a larger shop).

Bornholmlinjen, part of Molslinjen, connects the Danish Island of Bornholm with Ystad (Sw), Köge (Dk) and Sassnitz (Ge).

Jan 10
2

Enhancing Connectivity: Gasay Ferry Terminal and Mallaig-Lochboisdale Vessel Development Projects

By | 2025 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

CMAL published updates on two major projects as part of their public engagement efforts:

Gasay Ferry Terminal Development: This includes updates on the design and development of ferry terminal options for Gasay, with a focus on providing a robust business case for Transport Scotland’s approval. The project evaluates different terminal options (e.g., “Do Nothing,” “Do Minimum,” and “Do Something”) and includes economic assessments, wave modelling, and dynamic mooring analyses.

Mallaig – Lochboisdale New Vessel (MLNV) Project: This involves designing a replacement for the ageing ferry LORD OF THE ISLES. The new vessel aims to incorporate community feedback, improve accessibility, and adopt greener technologies, such as diesel-electric hybrid propulsion. The project also discusses associated shore power infrastructure and port studies.

Both projects emphasise public and stakeholder engagement, economic evaluation, and alignment with Transport Scotland’s investment objectives.

The document (PDF) can be read and downloaded here: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/presentation-materials-mallaig-lochboisdale-new-vessel/

Jan 10
2

Ardrossan Harbour Project Stalls as GLEN SANNOX Launches from Troon

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Kevin Hobbs, CMAL’s chief executive, told MSPs that funding talks with Ardrossan Harbour’s private owner remain “in the middle of nowhere.”

Ferry GLEN SANNOX, launching next week, will operate temporarily from Troon with three daily return crossings due to longer journey times. Ardrossan will see no CalMac sailings until the CALEDONIAN ISLES returns from repairs in March.

Approved in 2018, the Ardrossan Harbour Project was paused in 2023 over rising costs. Existing facilities are unsuitable for safely berthing larger vessels, delaying progress further.

Source: BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3wegzddy3xo

Jan 10
2

Port of Valencia Implements its Own 5G Connection Network

By | 2025 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments
  • This 5G network project is emerging as a key tool for the Port of Valencia to advance in its digital transformation.
  • The infrastructure will make it possible to work without cables or ties to external operators, with more than 25,000 connected devices: phones, vehicles, surveillance cameras, environmental sensors, security services and drones, among others.
  • The initiative has a budget of nearly six million euros, co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment.
  • Will operate independently of the criteria of a mobile operator.