July is traditionally a busy month for the ferry passenger traffic from and to Corsica. Only August is even busier. July 2024 saw a slight increase of 0.4% of ferry passengers on last year’s July. Airlines saw a decline of almost 9%.
More passengers, but less cars.
Ferry Pax: 735,188 (+0.4%)
Airline Pax: 651,282 (-9%)
Cars: 239,184 (-1.2%)
All details here: www.corse.developpement-durable.gouv.fr (in French)
Just a few weeks after the tragedy in Mali Lošinj, where three seafarers aboard the LASTOVO ferry lost their lives, Croatian shipping company Jadrolinija is launching an immediate plan to renew its fleet, which has an average age of 28 years.
The Italian newspaper Il Piccolo reported that the shipping company’s general manager, David Sopta, revealed that two catamarans, built in 2023, have just been purchased for 11.4 million euros and will be added to the fleet from November.
Constructed last year at Indonesia’s Cahaya Samudra Shipyard, the two fast ferries are 38 metres long, 10 metres wide, powered by 2,880-kilowatt engines, and capable of carrying up to 312 passengers each.
The vessels, intended to be renamed CVIJETA and RUŽICA, are similar to the KATA and DANICA catamarans purchased by Jadrolinija in 2023, which were built at the same Indonesian shipyard.
These acquisitions should allow the Croatian company to retire older vessels, such as the DUBRAVKA catamaran (photo Mike Louagie).
Moby is advancing its fleet renovation plan with the sale of the ageing RoPax ferry MOBY CORSE. Sources familiar with the matter told Ferry Shipping News that the Onorato family-controlled company has recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the sale of the 1978-built vessel to a company with Croatian interests.
The vessel is expected to be chartered out to a third company, with Nouris Elbahr Ferries possibly being the party involved, for deployment on a regular route between Spain and Algeria. (=unconfirmed!)
The sale price is believed to be under €8 million.
Built by the Danish shipyard Aalborg and delivered in 1978, the MOBY CORSE was purchased by Vincenzo Onorato in 2009 for approximately €7 million, to penetrate the Corsican market on the Toulon-Bastia route. The ferry is 153 metres long and has the capacity to carry 400 cars and 1,120 passengers.
Ketchup?
Baltic Sea’s first green freight corridor, which involves reducing emissions by 90% in the transport of goods, such as Felix ketchup, has been started between Sweden and Finland. The initiative is a collaboration between Orkla Suomi, Scandic Trans, and Viking Line, using biofuel-powered lorries and ships. This sustainable transport route from Fågelmara, Sweden, to Turku, Finland, significantly cuts carbon dioxide emissions from 1,512 kg to 102 kg per shipment, contributing to Orkla’s goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The project highlights the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biofuel for lorries and liquefied biogas (LBG) for the maritime leg, showcasing how the transport industry can adopt greener technologies. Viking Line’s vessels, Viking Glory and Viking Grace, which primarily run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), were designed to accommodate future fuels like biofuel, further promoting sustainable logistics.
The initiative serves as a model for reducing the environmental footprint of supply chains across the Nordic region and has garnered widespread interest, demonstrating the potential for large-scale adoption of biofuel in the transport sector.
Source and more information: Viking Line
The Armas Trasmediterránea Group is adding RoPax vessel AL ANDALUS to its Canary Islands routes. As of October 1, AL ANDALUS will sail between Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The former NORD PAS-DE-CALAIS has a capacity for 1,275 lane metres of cargo, 215 passengers and 150 vehicles.
Source: Armas Trasmediterránea Group
Safety and security drills onboard ships are important as something unexpected may take place. Drills train the crew to respond to many incidents, ranging from firefighting to first aid, evacuation and oil spills.
Whenever an opportunity arises, ships’ drill with authorities, such as the Border Guard, police, and fire and rescue department.
Finnlines’ RoPax vessels FINNLADY and FINNSIRIUS trained with Finnish authorities at the end of August.
Source: Finnlines on Linkedin
Corsica Linea marked the commencement of construction for its new LNG-powered vessel, CAPU ROSSU, with a ceremonial first steel cutting at the CMI Jinling shipyard in Weihai, China.
Set to launch in 2026, this Stena RoRo E-Flexer will support the company’s goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030, furthering its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Africa Morocco Link announced the launch of a new RoRo freight service, which started earlier this week. This daily service connects Tanger Med with Algeciras.
The vessel is the 1989-built Rail RoRo Ferry KAUNAS.
Source: AML on Linkedin
Summary of the financial report for Attica Group for the first half of 2024:
Revenue and Earnings:
Operational Costs:
Asset Sales and Liquidity:
Fleet and Traffic Volumes:
Investments and Environmental Initiatives:
Outlook:
The operational integration of ANEK is expected to complete by the end of 2024.
Source: Attica Group
Ferry – freight:
Ferry – passenger:
AS Tallink Grupp passenger, cargo unit and passenger vehicles numbers for August 2024 were the following:
Source: Tallink
Almost at the end of the 2024 fiscal year (November 2023 – October 2024), Brittany Ferries reports a 6.5% increase in passenger numbers (1.93 million). This growth, recorded for the second consecutive year (+11.9% in 2023 compared to 2022), reinforces its return to growth and its confidence in the future.
Introduction of New LNG/Electric Hybrid Ships
Positive 2024 Season Results
Caen-Ouistreham Route
Cherbourg Route
Saint-Malo Route
Roscoff Route
Freight Transport
Photo: Benjamin Deroche
Brittany Ferries continues its recovery from the Brexit and Covid crises, with significant announcements marking the month.
Repayment of loans granted by the Regions of Brittany and Normandy during the Covid Crisis and Status of the State-Guaranteed Loan (PGE)
Opening of Brittany Ferries’ capital to new Breton shareholders
New Horizon for Condor Ferries with Brittany Ferries
