- CLdN has completed the transfer of its shipping operations from Luxembourg to the UK, establishing new headquarters in London.
- The move reflects the company’s strong UK presence, with around 75% of its sailings starting or ending at UK ports.
- CLdN says it will benefit from the UK’s maritime expertise and talent pool as it continues to expand its shipping activities.
- To mark the move, UK Maritime Minister Keir Mather visited CLdN’s Purfleet terminal, highlighting the company’s contribution to trade, investment and employment.
- CEO Florent Maes said the relocation strengthens CLdN’s long-term commitment to the UK, supported by recent investments and the planned acquisition of Samskip’s UK and Ireland services.
- CLdN has invested around EUR 100 million in its UK terminals at Purfleet, Killingholme and Liverpool to support future freight growth.
BC Ferries introduces the Summit Class of New Major Vessels.
First four vessels named SUMMIT ARBUTUS, SUMMIT CEDAR, SUMMIT MAPLE, and SUMMIT SPRUCE reflecting BC’s natural environment.
Each vessel will have capacity for up to 360 vehicles and up to 2,100 passengers and crew, an increase of ~80 more vehicles and over 1,000 passengers compared to some of the vessels they will replace.
Starting in 2029.
More information: https://www.bcferries.com/in-the-community/projects/new-major-vessels#summit-class
- The UK-funded PINS (Port Infrastructure using Novel Energy Storage) project has demonstrated that battery energy storage combined with smart energy management can make shore power and vessel charging more affordable and practical for ports facing grid constraints.
- Pilot studies were conducted at Cowes, Portsmouth and Falmouth, each representing different operational and infrastructure challenges.
- The project assessed four battery technologies: lithium-iron phosphate, second-life lithium-ion, sodium-ion and soluble lead-flow batteries, finding both established and emerging technologies suitable for port electrification.
- Modelling showed that battery-supported systems can reduce peak grid demand, enable higher-power charging and optimise the use of onsite renewable energy.
- Charging solutions evaluated ranged from CCS-based DC charging for smaller vessels to high-power shore connections for ferries and cruise ships, alongside wireless charging and DC microgrids.
- The study concluded that storage-led electrification can reduce the need for costly grid upgrades while supporting emissions reductions and operational flexibility.
- Project partners hope to move to a real-world demonstration phase, providing evidence to support wider deployment across UK ports and harbours.
Read more: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/programme/uk-shipping-office-for-reducing-emissions/
- Trial port calls for the planned ferry service between Karlshamn and Gdansk have been successfully completed.
- The trials mark an important step towards establishing the new transport corridor developed with POLSCA Baltic Ferries.
- The future service is intended to provide a reliable and efficient link for both freight and passenger traffic.
- The partners say the route will support regional connectivity and economic growth.
- Corsica recorded 93,700 ferry passengers in March 2026, an increase of 2.8% compared with March 2025.
- Ferry traffic grew faster than air traffic, which increased by just 0.5% during the same period.
- Bastia remained the island’s leading ferry port, handling 52% of all ferry passengers, followed by Ajaccio with 29%.
- Corsica Ferries retained its dominant market position with a 54% share of ferry passengers, ahead of Corsica Linea (28%).
- Domestic French routes accounted for 80% of ferry passenger traffic, while services to and from Italy represented the remaining 20%.
- Freight volumes carried by sea fell by 1.6% year-on-year to 170,100 tonnes in March.
- FRS Finland has secured a 15-year contract to operate the Kalkkiranta–Bodö–Pörtö route from September 2027.
- The service will introduce Finland’s first fully electric passenger vessel of this size in scheduled archipelago traffic.
- The new vessel, a Callboats CAT 16, will carry up to 58 passengers and offer barrier-free access.
- The ferry will operate with zero emissions, supporting the decarbonisation of local maritime transport.
- Winter operations will continue using FRS Finland’s modernised existing fleet.
- The vessel will be built in Finland by Callboats, highlighting domestic shipbuilding expertise.
- FRS Finland hopes the project will pave the way for similar electric ferry solutions elsewhere in Finland.
- ESPO has urged the European Commission to use the upcoming review of the maritime EU ETS to address carbon leakage, business leakage and competitive distortions affecting EU ports and short-sea shipping.
- According to ESPO, the current system is encouraging cargo diversion to non-EU ports, reducing direct connectivity and shifting investment towards neighbouring countries outside the EU.
- The organisation warns that some short-sea shipping services are already losing traffic to road transport, which remains outside the ETS until 2028.
- ESPO is calling for measures to restore a level playing field, including changes to the treatment of transhipment ports and greater recognition of the impact on peripheral and outermost regions.
- The ports association also wants a larger share of ETS revenues reinvested in maritime and port decarbonisation projects.
- ESPO stresses that it supports the EU’s climate objectives but argues that the current ETS framework is undermining both competitiveness and the effectiveness of decarbonisation efforts.
CLdN has appointed Cameron Bowie as Chief Operating Officer of CLdN Shipping, effective 13 July 2026.
Bowie joins from container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, where he currently serves as Managing Director UK & Ireland. He brings 36 years of experience in the maritime transport sector.
According to CLdN, his experience will support the company’s ambitions in short-sea container shipping and its continued expansion in UK, Irish and European trades.
Bowie succeeds Gary Walker, who will retire this summer after almost three decades with CLdN. Walker joined the company in 1997 and has led its shipping activities for the past 12 years, overseeing a significant expansion of operations.
Baleària has taken effective control of Armas Trasmediterránea operations in the Canary Islands, including inter-island services and routes linking the archipelago with mainland Spain.
The combined group will employ around 4,500 people and operate a fleet of more than 50 vessels, transporting over 8 million passengers and 11 million linear metres of freight annually. Consolidated turnover is expected to exceed €1 billion.
The transaction brings together three historic Spanish ferry operators: Trasmediterránea, Armas and Baleària. The company says the move strengthens Baleària’s position as Spain’s leading ferry operator and one of Europe’s largest ferry groups.
Baleària plans to invest €45 million over the next three years to improve and modernise the acquired fleet in the Canary Islands. The company also confirmed that all fleet and shore-based jobs will be retained.
Operations in the archipelago will be carried out under the new Baleària Canarias brand, which will coexist temporarily with the Armas Trasmediterránea identity during the transition period.
The acquisition agreement was first announced in August 2025. Procedures concerning the Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea operations are still pending completion.
Estonian State Fleet has signed a contract with CRIST S.A. for the construction of Estonia’s first fully electric passenger ferry. The vessel is scheduled to enter service at the end of 2028 and will operate mainly on shore-charged green electricity.
The ferry will be deployed on the Virtsu–Kuivastu route and is designed for year-round Baltic operations, including winter ice conditions. Built to Ice Class 1B, the vessel will be capable of operating in ice up to 60 cm thick.
Designed by LMG Marin and built by CRIST S.A., the ferry will feature a 3 MWh battery system for fully electric daily operations, supported by biodiesel generators for extended range and emergency use. The vessel is expected to be up to 64% more energy-efficient than Estonia’s existing ferry REGULA.
The approximately 100-metre-long ferry will accommodate up to 110 passenger vehicles or eight freight trucks, with capacity for 380 passengers. Delivery is planned within 30 months of contract signing. The total contract value amounts to EUR 49.93 million.
