All Posts By

sandra

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.

Oct 24
3

ESPO Welcomes Continuation of CEF Programme

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomes the European Commission’s decision to continue the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), ensuring continued EU funding for developing and upgrading Europe’s transport and energy networks.

ESPO highlights the geostrategic role of ports as multimodal hubs supporting trade, energy, military mobility, and industrial activity. Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost stressed the need for investment support to help ports deliver on public-interest projects that may not yield immediate returns.

The proposed €81.4 billion CEF budget is seen as a positive step, though ESPO considers it a minimum to achieve Europe’s strategic goals in competitiveness, resilience, and decarbonisation.

The ESPO position can be found here

Oct 24
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Samsølinjen’s upcoming electric ferry TYRFING has begun its long journey home from the Cemre Shipyard near Istanbul, Turkey. It is the last of Molslinjen’s two new electric ferries, built for Alslinjen and Samsølinjen, to be completed and prepared for delivery to Denmark.

TYRFING will first sail to Svendborg, where it will be docked for final preparations, inspection, and approval by the Danish authorities. The crew will be trained, and all systems and power connections will undergo testing before the ferry enters service on 1 December 2025.

Oct 17
3

Stena Connecta Officially Named in China + Surprise

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

Stena Line’s newest vessel, STENA CONNECTA, was officially named at the CMI Shipyard in Weihai, China, on 16 October. She will soon begin her maiden voyage to her new home port on the Irish Sea.

Together with STENA FUTURA, which entered service in September, the two new freight ferries will boost freight capacity on the Belfast–Heysham route by 40%.

The naming ceremony was attended by Stena Line CEO Niclas Mårtensson, members of the executive team, and Stena AB owner Dan Sten Olsson.

“It is with great pride that we celebrate yet another milestone for our fleet and our company today,” said Niclas Mårtensson. “STENA CONNECTA and her sister vessel represent the very latest in maritime technology and will play a crucial role in maintaining essential transport links in Ireland and the UK, while contributing to our goal of reducing CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030.”

STENA CONNECTA is a New Max RoRo vessel built for maximised freight capacity, offering 2,848 lane metres across 147 metres. She features a multi-hybrid propulsion system enabling the use of battery power, biofuel, and methanol, and two Norsepower Rotor Sails™ (28 x 4 m) that can save up to 9% in fuel on the Irish Sea route.
Her sister vessel, STENA FUTURA, is also ready for sail installation.

Stena Line, marking 30 years of operations on the Irish Sea, operates 13 vessels (including STENA CONNECTA) and up to 238 weekly sailings. Its network includes passenger and freight routes from Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead, and Rosslare to Fishguard, as well as dedicated freight routes from Belfast to Heysham and Dublin.

STENA CONNECTA will begin her delivery voyage from China to the Irish Sea soon and is expected to enter regular service on the Belfast–Heysham route from January 2026.

Facts – STENA CONNECTA

  • Length: 147 m
  • Beam: 26.3 m
  • Built: 2023–2025, CMI Shipyard, Weihai, China
  • Passenger capacity: 12
  • Crew: 26
  • Height clearance: 5.3 m
  • Width clearance: 12 m
  • Freight capacity: 2,848 lane metres
  • Route: Belfast – Heysham (approx. 12 sailings per week)
Oct 17
3

Stena Surprise: Here Comes the C-Flexer

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

While going through the press photos from the naming ceremony of STENA CONNECTA, we noticed something interesting that wasn’t mentioned in the official press release.

This photo shows attendees — including shipyard workers in white uniforms and hard hats, some guests in formal attire, and a few in bright safety clothing —  seated on white chairs with blue sashes on a red carpet. The stage area features a red backdrop displaying text that reads:

THE SIGNING FOR LETTER OF APPRECIATION /

LETTER OF INTENT OF C-FLEXER RORO / 16th October 2025

This new design appears on the Stena RoRo website, hinting at another exciting step in the company’s continuous innovation journey.

Main particulars:

  • Length: 216 metres
  • Beam: 30,4 metres
  • Lanemetres: 3500-5050
  • Propulsion: Multifuel Battery Hybrid