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sandra

Jan 20
Love2

DFDS December: Adjusted Growth on Level

By 2025 Newsletter week 03

Ferry – freight:

  • Total volumes in December 2024 were 6.4% above 2023 and on level adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes in 2024, closure of Calais-Tilbury in 2023, and the opening of Damietta-Trieste in 2024.
  • December volumes were in general lowered by the holiday season’s greater impact on the number of operating days compared to 2023. North Sea volumes were therefore below 2023.
  • Channel continued to trend above 2023 while Baltic Sea and Mediterranean volumes were on level with 2023 with the latter facing increased competition in one corridor
  • In 2024, total transported freight lane metres increased 8.4% to 41.5m from 38.3m in 2023. The increase was 4.0% adjusted for the above route changes.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers in December 2024 was 16.5% above 2023 and on level adjusted for the above route changes as well as the sale of Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen.
  • The number of cars was 17.4% above 2023 and down 4.2% adjusted for route changes.
  • In 2024, the total number of passengers increased 47.6% to 6.6m compared to 4.5m in 2023. The increase was 7.4% adjusted for route changes.
Jan 20
Love2

RoRo Tonnage Provider Godby Shipping Fleet Update

By 2025 Newsletter week 03

AURORA

  • Sailed from Chile 17th December and is now on her way to Algeciras, Spain where Godby will take delivery of the vessel. (see https://ferryshippingnews.com/godby-shipping-acquires-roro-vessel-aurora/)
  • Charter Peregar December 2025.

MISTRAL

  • Was redelivered from DFDS in Dunkirk end December 2024
  • Short employment for Peregar between Algeciras and Ceuta until Aurora is ready for service.
  • Next employment is a time-charter for Transprocon January March on the Mediterranean Sea.
  • After that time-chartered to Sea-Cargo until August with option until December 2025.

MIDAS

  • Has gone through her 5-year class renewal at Desan shipyard in Turkey and is now trading in the Caribbean instead of MIMER in CMA CGM Leeward service.
  • Contract is valid until end 2026 with charterers’ option until mid 2027.

MIMER

  • Will make a short charter for Peregar before continuing to Desan shipyard for 5-year class renewal. The dockings and class renewal represents a substantial investment and the idea is to trade both Midas and Mimer for another 10 years.

MISANA/MISIDA

  • Sea-Cargo + purchase options declared for delivery early April + June 2025

BALTIC BRIGHT

  • Holmen December 2025

LYSVIK/LYSBRIS

  • DFDS December 2026 + options 2030
Jan 20
Love2

HSC Sold by Liberty Lines to SNAV

By 2025 Newsletter week 03

In Southern Italy, a pair of 20-year-old HSC units are expected to soon leave Liberty Lines’ fleet in Sicily and join SNAV for future deployment in the Gulf of Naples.
ERACLIDE is likely to be operated by Caremar, while ANTIOCO should enter service on the maritime link provided by Laziomar between mainland Italy and the Ponza–Ventotene islands.

Built in 2005 in Italy by the Rodriquez yard, both ERACLIDE and ANTIOCO can sail at a speed of 37 knots, transporting up to 238 passengers.

This double sale is part of the renovation plan for Liberty Lines’ fleet, which has recently received several new, modern dual-fuel electric HSC units built by the Armon shipyard in Vigo, Spain.

Photo: Shipping Italy

Jan 20
Love2

Lauro Buys High-Speed Ferry FORMENTERA DIRECT from Balearia

By 2025 Newsletter week 03

The Lauro Group of Naples has confirmed the purchase of the aged high-speed ferry FORMENTERA DIRECT (formerly PITIUSA NOVA) from Balearia.
This vessel has been moored and inactive since September 2023 in the port of Denia.

In the coming days, it is expected to sail from Spain to Naples, where it will be deployed on the maritime link with the surrounding islands.

FORMENTERA DIRECT has a length of 50 metres, a beam of 14 metres, a maximum speed of 32 knots, and a capacity for 309 passengers and 36 cars.

Photo: Balearia

Jan 20
Love2

A Major Step Towards Decarbonising the Calais-Dover Route

By 2025 Newsletter week 03

On Thursday 9 january, Port Boulogne Calais took a groundbreaking step towards achieving carbon neutrality for the Calais-Dover link by 2035.

In partnership with Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE), the port will be connected to the high-voltage power grid, enabling the future operation of 100% electric vessels. This makes Calais the first port in the world to offer a charging capacity of 100 MW, capable of recharging up to three vessels simultaneously (20-35 MW per ship) in just 45 minutes.

Jan 20
Love2

2024: Record-Breaking Results for Polish Sea Ports

By 2025 Newsletter week 03

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
Love2

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

By 2025 Newsletter week 03

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
Love2

Port of Saint-Malo Welcomes the SAINT-MALO

By 2025 Newsletter week 03

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
Love2

RoPax SAINT-MALO Heralds a New Era for Portsmouth

By 2025 Newsletter week 03

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.