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sandra

Mar 16
Love3

SHIPS

By 2025 Newsletter week 11

RoPax PELAGOS sold by LA MÉRIDIONALE to Cypriot interests

The Genoa-based shipbroker Ferrando & Massone announced the sale of the RoPax vessel PELAGOS from the French owner LA MÉRIDIONALE, part of the CMA CGM group, to Cypriot operators with interests in the Red Sea, where the ship will most likely be employed.

Built by Cantiere Navale Visentini in 1997, PELAGOS measures 186 metres in length and 26 metres in width, offering a cargo capacity of 2,300 linear metres. The vessel is equipped with 72 cabins, accommodating 285 berths, along with 70 pullman seats, for a total passenger capacity of 370. It has a service speed of 21 knots.

Until a few weeks ago, PELAGOS was deployed on the Marseille – Tangier Med route. Before being acquired by LA MÉRIDIONALE in 2019, the vessel was owned by DFDS and operated under the name LIVERPOOL SEAWAYS.

Last year, LA MÉRIDIONALE ordered two RoPax ferries from China Merchants Jinling Weihai shipyard for delivery in 2027.

Mar 16
Love3

Magic Sea Ferries’ HSC MAGIC 2 Arrives in Greece

By 2025 Newsletter week 11

On 13 March 2025, Magic Sea Ferries’ new acquisition, HSC MAGIC 2, arrived at the port of Lavrion from Singapore, transported on the general cargo ship EEMSLIFT DAFNE. She was purchased in November 2024 and, along with her fleet mate HSC MAGIC 1, is one of the newest vessels in the Hellenic ferry fleet. With the addition of HSC MAGIC 2, Magic Sea Ferries will offer two daily departures from the Port of Piraeus to the Saronic Islands (Aegina, Poros).

HSC MAGIC 2 was built in Indonesia in 2024. She has a carrying capacity of 343 passengers and can operate at a service speed of 36 knots, with a maximum speed of 39 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Mar 16
Love3

One Preferred Bidder Selected for New ACTV Ferry in Venice

By 2025 Newsletter week 11

San Giorgio del Porto and Piombino Industrie Marittime shipyards, together with Fincantieri SI, have been selected as the preferred and approved bidder in the tender launched last year by Venice-based ACTV to build a new 800 GT ferry for deployment in the lagoon. The budget for the project is EUR 21.8 million.

Several other shipbuilding groups also expressed interest during the initial stage of the tender process, including S&Y (Sea and Yachting), Baglietto, Palumbo Superyachts, QIM, Siman, Astilleros Armon, Ostseestal GmbH, and Kewatec Aluboat.

Mar 16
Love3

Molslinjen Adjusts Ferry Plans Due to Delays

By 2025 Newsletter week 11

Delays at the Turkish shipyard have disrupted Molslinjen’s deployment of two new electric ferries. As a result, ALSLINJEN must wait for its vessel, while SAMSØLINJEN will receive ALSLINJEN’s ferry, NERTHUS, now expected to enter service on June 16, 2025. Until then, FYNSHAV will operate with up to four daily double trips on peak days.

Molslinjen is also introducing a low-cost ticket scheme for SAMSØ, with fares starting at 99 kroner and peak season rates capped at 392 kroner for a regular car. The updated sailing schedule for SAMSØLINJEN was released today, March 14.

Mar 16
Love3

PORTS

By 2025 Newsletter week 11

DP World Achieves Record $20 Billion Revenue in 2024

DP World reported record revenue of $20.0 billion for 2024, a 9.7% increase from the previous year, driven by strong performance in ports, terminals, and logistics. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $5.5 billion, with a margin of 27.2%. Despite a 2.0% drop in profit due to higher finance costs, DP World surpassed 100 million TEU capacity, reinforcing its position as a global trade leader. The company invested $2.2 billion in key growth markets and remains committed to sustainable supply chains, issuing a $100 million blue bond.

Read the full report: link to DP World website

Mar 16
Love3

Fourth Onshore Power Supply Project in Trelleborg

By 2025 Newsletter week 11

Actemium has been awarded a new assignment by the Port of Trelleborg to continue contributing to the port’s environmental transformation through a comprehensive Onshore Power Supply (OPS) project. This fourth OPS project includes the delivery and installation of new shore connections to ferry berths 10 and 11 as well as a significant modernisation of ferry berths 8 and 9.

The project is also an important part of the Port of Trelleborg’s environmental initiative “Baltic-Green-NET”, which has received EU co-financing. A large part of the energy will be produced locally by two new wind turbines.

Mar 16
Love1

IMAGE CARDS

By 2025 Newsletter week 11

Since 2 March, Small Cyclades Lines’ ferry EXPRESS SKOPELITIS has been undergoing her annual maintenance and refit at Panagiotakis Shipyards (Ambelakia, Salamis). This legendary ferry has been serving the Small Cyclades barren line (Naxos–Amorgos–Donousa–Koufonisi–Schoinoussa–Iraklia) since 1986, performing six weekly sailings year-round.

She is one of the most important vessels in the Greek ferry scene, having continuously served this route for nearly four decades. Built in Greece in 1986, EXPRESS SKOPELITIS has a carrying capacity of 340 passengers and 12 cars and operates at a service speed of 12.5 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

During a public meeting in Jersey DFDS has revealed some renderings of its new ferries.
As reported by local media Bailiwick Express, DFDS is balancing fleet renewal with its pricing strategy, ensuring both competitiveness and service improvements.
These new vessels could significantly enhance connectivity for passengers and freight alike.

Mar 08
Love3

Irish Ferries Reports Solid 2024 Performance

By 2025 Newsletter week 10

 Irish Continental Group has reported a good year in 2024, with growth across its key financial and operational metrics. The company achieved revenue of €603.8 million, marking a 5.6% increase from 2023, while EBITDA rose 0.7% to €133.5 million. Operating profit also saw a modest rise of 1.0% to €69.1 million.

Growth in Key Segment Irish Ferries

The Ferries Division demonstrated strong performance, with car carryings increasing by 9.5% to 707,300 and passenger numbers rising by 10.1% to over 3 million. RoRo freight units also grew by 6.0% to 767,200. A significant driver behind this success was the strategic expansion of Irish Ferries’ Dover-Calais operations, with the introduction of the newly acquired OSCAR WILDE (formerly SPIRIT OF BRITAIN), which entered service in June 2024.

“Our decision to expand onto the Dover-Calais route has proven to be a worthwhile investment, contributing to our strong performance despite broader market challenges” said Andrew Sheen, Managing Director of Irish Ferries.

Strategic Expansion and Market Positioning

Irish Ferries has long held ambitions to establish a strong presence on the Dover-Calais route, which represents a crucial freight corridor between the UK and France. The Channel market remains highly competitive, with Eurotunnel, DFDS, and P&O Ferries all vying for market share.

“Freight-wise, the Channel is a strong market for traffic from Britain, with an overall market of 4 million freight units split between ferries and the tunnel. We have always aimed to be present in strong markets,” said Andrew Sheen. “On short-sea routes: we can operate five return sailings on Dover–Calais, whereas a ship on the Ireland–France route can only manage one sailing per day. Hauliers are unlikely to pay the premium required to achieve the same return on an asset for a direct long route compared to a short-sea route. Strategically, short-sea routes have always been where we see the value.”

Irish Ferries has strengthened its position through a space charter agreement with P&O Ferries, enabling more efficient vessel utilisation and reducing haulier wait times.

This partnership, structured on a “turn up and go” basis, allows for seamless freight transportation between both operators’ vessels, offering hauliers increased flexibility. “It’s as close to a ‘floating bridge’ as you can get,” Sheen explained. “It enhances efficiency and levels the playing field in competition with the tunnel.”

While Brexit has not led to significant growth in the Ireland-UK freight market, there has been noticeable expansion on the Ireland-France and Britain-France routes. Irish Ferries’ network now provides a comprehensive landbridge solution for hauliers moving between Ireland and continental Europe, offering time savings compared to direct sailings from Ireland to France.

 Operational Efficiency and Future Plans

The efficiency-driven approach of Irish Ferries is evident not only in its Dover-Calais operations but across its entire network. The company is actively exploring how its partnership with P&O Ferries can be extended to passenger traffic, with the aim of implementing a shared capacity arrangement ahead of the peak summer season.

Despite industry challenges, including fluctuating fuel costs and regulatory changes under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), Irish Ferries remains financially resilient. With a strong balance sheet and strategic investments, the company is well-positioned for the future.

Click image for more information

Mar 08
Love3

Baleària Strengthens Its Fleet with €300M Investment Amid Expansion and Sustainability Goals

By 2025 Newsletter week 10

Baleària has reported solid financial results for 2024, with an EBITDA of €130 million, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. This growth was driven by a 6% rise in revenue, reaching €691 million, reinforcing the company’s financial stability. However, net profit fell 36% to €25 million, mainly due to higher depreciation, financing costs, and environmental compliance expenses.

Despite these financial pressures, Baleària tripled its investments to over €300 million, prioritising fleet renewal and efficiency enhancements. The company also announced the appointment of Guillermo Utor as its new vice president and board member.

Expanding Routes and Growing Passenger Traffic

Operating 28 routes across five countries with a fleet of around 40 vessels, Baleària remains a leader in passenger transport, which accounts for 61% of its revenue. In 2024, it carried:

  • 5.6 million passengers (+8%)
  • 1.5 million vehicles (+10%)

The Balearic Islands remain the core market, with 50% of passengers travelling on these routes. The Ceuta connections continue to be the second-most popular, while the Melilla-Málaga route saw the highest growth.

Internationally, Morocco is the key market, contributing 18% of total passengers. This presence is set to grow with the launch of the first green shipping corridor between Tarifa and Tangier Ville. Additionally, Baleària has expanded operations in Algeria, introducing three new routes that performed strongly over the summer.

Freight Business and Strategic Markets

Baleària transported 7.6 million lane metres of cargo in 2024, a 3% increase, playing a vital role in logistics.

  • 60% of cargo traffic is on Balearic routes, maintaining stable volumes in a competitive market.
  • Morocco is emerging as a key freight hub, now representing 30% of total cargo traffic, with strong potential for further growth.

Advancing Sustainability: Lowering Emissions Amid Increased Operations

Despite sailing 1.8 million miles (+1.4%), Baleària reduced its total CO₂ emissions for the first time (excluding pandemic years):

  • 15,000 tonnes less CO₂ (-2%)
  • -3.3% CO₂ per mile
  • -9.5% CO₂ per passenger

These achievements stem from improved operational efficiency and a 184% increase in LNG usage. Baleària is also testing bioLNG, trialling it on its latest vessels, Margarita Salas and Rusadir, as part of its transition towards alternative energy.

Regulatory Challenges and a €1B Investment in Sustainable Shipping

Baleària has committed €1 billion (2017–2028) to a more sustainable fleet, balancing operational excellence with environmental responsibility. However, regulations significantly impact costs:

  • €9M in compliance costs in 2024
  • Expected to rise to €26M in 2025

With the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) now in force, covering 40% of emissions in 2024 and increasing to 70% in 2025, plus upcoming low-carbon fuel mandates and the Mediterranean’s designation as a sulphur emission control area (SECA) from May 2025, Baleària faces escalating financial and operational pressures.

Looking Ahead: New Ships and International Expansion

Baleària is investing in new shipbuilding projects:

  • A third high-tech LNG-powered catamaran, launching in late 2025.
  • Two fully electric fast ferries for the Tarifa-Tangier Ville route, ensuring zero-emission operations.

The company is also expanding internationally, with plans to strengthen its Algerian network and introduce a Dominican Republic–Puerto Rico route.

Source: Baleària (in Spanish)