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sandra

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
Oct 17
3

New Zealand Selects GSI to Build Two New Ferries

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

The New Zealand Government, through its procuring company Ferry Holdings Limited, has selected Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) as the builder of two new ferries, RailMinister Winston Peters confirmed on October 14th. [Government announcement]

Negotiations between Ferry Holdings and GSI are still ongoing, and details will only be released once discussions are completed, along with port agreements with CentrePort Limited and Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited.

The ferries will each be around 200 metres long, with road and rail decks and capacity for 1,500 passengers. Delivery is expected in 2029.

Mr Peters noted that the project would deliver major savings compared with the cancelled iReX project, adding that a full announcement is planned before the end of the year.

Oct 17
4

TT-Line Signs LOI with Jinling Shipyard for Second-Generation Green RoPax

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

On 7 October, China Merchants Industry Jinling Shipyard and TT-Line signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for one plus one second-generation green RoPax vessel. The news came from Chinese sources and has not yet been confirmed by TT-Line.

Highlights:

  • Marks the second collaboration between the partners.
  • NILS HOLGERSSON and PETER PAN were successfully delivered in 2022.
  • Both vessels operate efficiently on TT-Line’s routes to Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and Sweden.
  • The new vessel will be approximately 240 metres long and accommodate 1,000 passengers.
  • The fuel type remains unclear, although Chinese sources mention LNG.

Photo (courtesy CMI Jinling) Jiang Jiazhong, General Manager of China Merchants Industry Nanjing Jinling, and Andreas Schaerli, Chief Operating Officer of TT-Line, signed the letter of intent.

Oct 17
3

CLdN Publishes 2025 Carbon Report

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

CLdN has released its 2025 Carbon Report, outlining continued progress in decarbonisation across its operations.

Highlights include:

  • Further improvement in fleet CO₂ efficiency in 2024
  • Reduced CO₂ emissions from CLdN’s ports (excluding the effect of acquisitions)
  • Expansion of on-site renewables and increased use of electric vehicles at port facilities
  • Comprehensive inventory of scope 3 GHG emissions
  • Continued modal shift from road to ship and rail within CLdN’s multimodal network

Click on the picture to download the report.

Oct 17
3

HSC PONIENTE JET Sold to Greece, Leaving FRS Iberia

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

According to reliable information, HSC PONIENTE JET (ex-BONANZA EXPRESS, ex-ARTEMIS) has left FRS and has been sold to Greece. Built in Australia by Incat in 1999, she was first operated by Lineas Fred. Olsen, later sold to Ponte Ferries in 2020, where she served until 2023. In 2024, she joined FRS Iberia. Her capacity is 640 passengers and 180 cars (282 lane metres), with a service speed of 31 knots.

Photo: FRS

Oct 17
3

AxFerries Plans Full Electrification of ALFÅGELN

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

AxFerries has unveiled plans to convert the archipelago ferry ALFÅGELN into a fully electric, emission-free vessel.

The project includes lengthening and widening the ship to maintain vehicle capacity, modernising the bridge and passenger areas, and adding new manoeuvring systems. The conversion aims to demonstrate the potential for zero-emission operations on short routes in the Åland archipelago and could serve as a pilot for further electrification across the fleet.

Oct 17
3

MOBY OTTA Sold and Renamed ELPIS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

The ferry MOBY OTTA has been sold for about €5 million to Hoiyu International Group Ltd of China and has already been delivered in Livorno. Renamed ELPIS (Greek for the spirit of hope), she now flies the St. Kitts & Nevis flag.

Once in Asia, she will serve as a floating hotel and casino in Malaysia, like MOBY ZAZA. Built in 1976 by Flenderwerke in Lübeck and refurbished in 1998, the 184m vessel joined Onorato Armatori in 2006 after service with DFDS as PRINCESS OF SCANDINAVIA.

Sister ship MOBY DREA was sold earlier to Med Fuel of Messina for refurbishment and asbestos removal.

Oct 17
3

Color Group AS – Change in Executive Management

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments
  • CFO Bjørn Paulsen (72) retires after 26 years with Color Group AS.
  • Played a key role in the company’s financial stability and growth.
  • Successfully guided the group through the financial crisis and pandemic, leaving a robust and sustainable financial foundation.
  • Will continue contributing as a board member of Color Group / Color Line.
  • Christian Arndt (55) appointed new CFO.
  • Joined the company in 1999, Finance Director since 2013.
  • Brings strong expertise in finance, strategy, and deep insight into company operations.
  • Andreas Ringen (41) appointed Finance Manager.
  • Will combine this role with his current position as Portfolio Manager.

Source: Euronext

Oct 17
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

KiwiRail has agreed to sell its retired Interislander ferry ARATERE to a buyer who will deliver the vessel to a specialist recycling shipyard in India. The ferry made its final Cook Strait crossing in August, marking the end of 26 years of service. ARATERE was retired to enable the redevelopment of Picton port in preparation for two new Cook Strait ferries due to arrive in 2029.

Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy said the vessel was unsuitable for most ferry operators due to its age and the need for “significant” modification or specialist port infrastructure. “Therefore, we have pursued a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible recycling option,” he said.

KiwiRail carried out due diligence and physical inspections of the shipyard and worked closely with New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) throughout the process. The buyer will crew the ship for its final voyage to India, subject to EPA review.

HSC GOLDEN PRINCESS will be launched on the Cyclades route on 17 October. GOLDEN STAR FERRIES’ vessel (ex-GOTLANDIA II) will serve the Rafina–Tinos–Mykonos–Paros line, replacing her fleet mate HSC SUPEREXPRESS until 20 October. Currently at the port of Rafina, she was built in Italy in 2006. The ship can carry 900 passengers and 160 cars, sailing at 32 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Oct 10
3

September Volumes Show Mixed Picture for Freight

By | 2025 Newsletter week 41 | No Comments

DFDS reported September freight volumes of 3.5m lane metres, up 0.8% year-on-year but 1.2% lower when adjusted for route changes.

  • North Sea: Volumes remained stable across most routes, maintaining the same level as 2024.
  • Mediterranean: Declined due to a continued slowdown in Turkish automotive production and domestic demand, as well as reduced capacity on one route responding to market competition.
  • Channel: Increased, supported by the successful launch of the new Jersey routes.
  • Baltic Sea: Continued to perform above 2024 levels, sustaining positive growth.
  • Strait of Gibraltar: Also above 2024, contributing to overall resilience.

For the last twelve months (2025–24), total freight volumes rose 2.3% to 41.7m lane metres (up 1.2% when adjusted for route changes).

Passenger numbers, however, were weaker. In September, 392k passengers represented a 7.4% drop year-on-year (adjusted), with lower Channel traffic outweighing growth in the Baltic. Car volumes fell 5.7%, and total passenger numbers for the past year declined 14.5% to 5.5m (or 0.4% growth adjusted for route changes).