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sandra

Sep 15
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2024 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

On September 12, 2024, Anek Lines’ RoPax ASTERION II was reassigned to the Piraeus – Heraklion route after successfully serving on the Piraeus – Samos – Dodecanese and Piraeus – Chios – Mytilene routes since June 3, 2024. ASTERION II will replace RoPax ARIADNE, which will return to her previous service in the Adriatic. 

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos 

On September 10, 2024, the HSC HELLENIC HIGHSPEED returned to the Port of Piraeus after completing its summer charter in the Western Mediterranean. The vessel was chartered to Africa Morocco Link (AML) from June 29, 2024, to bolster the Moroccan company’s service on the Algeciras – Tanger Med route. 

 Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos 

Construction of CLdN’s first new G9e vessel is making great progress. The bridge and funnels are now in place so she really starts to look like a CLdN vessel. 

Source: CLdN on Linkedin  

Holmen has declared their option and extended the contract with BALTIC BRIGHT until end 2025. 

Source: Godby Shipping on Linkedin 

Thursday 12 September, the Rauma shipyard celebrated the delivery of the SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV to the Owner, TT-Line Company. 

‘I want to thank our client for their excellent co-operation, which has enabled us to bring this project to its successful completion. I would also like to thank our partners and the classification society. This vessel is a fine example of the strong shipbuilding expertise in Rauma. We have now built the world’s southernmost LNG ferry as well as the world’s northernmost LNG ferry, namely AURORA BOTNIa. We wish SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV all the best on its journeys’, says Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of Rauma Marine Constructions. 

Stena Line has announced that it will withdraw the STENA VISION from its Rosslare-Cherbourg route at the end of October 2024.  

Stena Line has confirmed that they will continue to operate a three-day week service for freight and passenger travel on board the STENA HORIZON and that they will “deploy additional support vessels to the route during periods of peak demand from freight and travel customers”. 

Destination Gotland experienced a slight increase in travel during the summer of 2024, with nearly 940,000 passengers between June and August, up by 2,000 from the previous year. June saw a 10% rise in travellers, while July, despite a 4% decline, remained the busiest month. The campaign “Sommarlov på Gotland” contributed to a surge in family visits. Gotland continues to perform well compared to other Swedish destinations, showing resilience in the travel market. 

Source: Destination Gotland Photo: Olof Segerberg 

As an important step in the green transition, Molslinjen is now investing in a new 132,000 MWh solar park on Djursland, Denmark. The renewable energy from the park will power NERTHUS, the innovative electric ferry on the Alslinjen between Bøjden and Fynshav. The vessel is under construction at Cemre Shipyard. 

Source: Via Ritzau 

Finnlines is set to celebrate the first anniversary of its FINNSIRIUS, operating on the Finland–Åland–Sweden route. The ship, along with its sister vessel, FINNCANOPUS, has significantly boosted passenger numbers and attracted new customer segments, including families and conference groups. Both ships feature cutting-edge technology aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. Special onboard events and promotions will mark the occasion. 

For more details, visit Finnlines. 

 

Sep 06
2

Grimaldi Group to open a new RoRo line between Italy and Turkey

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

Starting from 14 September, Grimaldi Euromed will deploy two RoRo vessels on the new regular service between Trieste and Ambarli (just a few kilometres from Istanbul), with two weekly departures from each port. 

The new link will be operated by ECO MEDITERRANEA and ECO MALTA, both RoRo vessels of the innovative “GG5G” class. 

With the new direct Trieste-Ambarli connection, the Grimaldi Group “is responding to the growing demand for high-quality maritime transport services between Italy and Turkey from its clients, notably some of the world’s leading manufacturers of automobiles and industrial vehicles, such as BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, Scania, Stellantis, Kia, and Hyundai.” 

 Source: Grimaldi Group  

Sep 06
2

Record-breaking summer for Scandlines

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments
  • Scandlines experienced a record-breaking summer in 2024, transporting 2.7 million passengers and 728,000 cars between Germany and Denmark. 
  • Passenger numbers increased from 2.6 million in 2023 to 2.7 million in 2024. 
  • The number of cars transported also rose, from 716,509 in 2023 to 727,978 in 2024. 
  • The busiest weekend for passengers was 19-21 July, with 146,209 passengers, while the busiest weekend for cars was 26-28 July, with 40,235 cars. 
  • Scandlines introduced a dynamic ticketing system offering lower prices for early bookings or less busy times, enhancing ferry capacity utilisation and competitiveness. 
  • A new app and licence plate scanners were launched to improve ticket booking and check-in processes. 
  • Frequent departures were offered, with crossings every half hour on the Puttgarden-Rødby route and every two hours on the Rostock-Gedser route. 
  • Passengers were more flexible in their return journeys, often travelling at various times throughout the day and night. 
  • In July 2024, Scandlines also transported 3,003 buses. 

Photo: Horst-Dieter Foerster/Scandlines 

Sep 06
2

Climate Compensation Gains Popularity at Wasaline

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

Wasaline introduced a carbon offset option in June 2024, which has seen significant uptake, particularly among Swedish travellers, with over 1,500 choosing to offset their travel emissions. The proceeds are used to power the ship with biogas, enhancing its sustainability. Wasaline aims to reduce its carbon footprint by at least 5% annually, working towards climate-neutral operations by 2030. 

Sep 06
2

Stena becomes sole owner of NTEX

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

Stena, which previously owned 75% of the shares in the transport and logistics company NTEX, has purchased an additional 25% of the shares and thus has become the sole owner of the company.  

​​​​​​​​​​​​NTEX is one of Sweden’s most expansive transport companies with 20 offices in 12 countries in Europe, over 1,000 employees and around 4 billion SEK in turnover. The company owns and leases around 1,500 trucks and has 16 terminals and warehouses of its own.  

 Stena entered as a majority owner of NTEX in 2020, and is now sole owner of the company.   

“The main reason for this acquisition is that we wish to gain a greater understanding of how large transport companies operate in different markets. By owning and running companies, our understanding of our customers and where the market is going increases, which allows us to optimise Stena’s product portfolio,” says CEO Niclas Mårtensson.  

Sep 06
2

BC Ferries wraps historic summer and prepares for refit season

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

BC Ferries has concluded a historic summer, marking the busiest season in its 64-year history, with over five million passengers and two million vehicles transported in June and July. As the summer ends, the company is now focusing on its annual refit season, beginning with repairs on the aging QUEEN OF NEW WESTMINSTER, among others. This refit season is part of BC Ferries’ commitment to safety and fleet modernization, with new major vessels planned to address growing demand and operational challenges. 

For more details, you can visit the full release here. 

Sep 06
2

Viking Line had a total of nearly 1.8 million passengers during the summer

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

Nearly 1.8 million passengers travelled on Viking Line’s vessels during the period June–August 2024. The greatest increase in demand was on the Tallinn route, which also had more departures than in previous summer seasons. This summer, passengers were drawn by the variety of attractions in Estonia and the other Baltic countries, to Åland as depicted in the historical film Stormskärs Maja, and by a refurbished Viking Cinderella. 

 In short: 

  • Viking Line served nearly 1.8 million passengers during June–August 2024. 
  • The Tallinn route saw the greatest increase in demand, with over 732,000 passengers and a rise of more than 11%. 
  • The Helsinki–Stockholm route carried 274,000 passengers, with Viking Line’s market share rising to 44%. 
  • A cheap Swedish krona increased Stockholm’s appeal as a destination. 
  • Special cruises to Visby, Gotland were highly popular and sold out quickly. 
  • The Turku–Mariehamn–Stockholm route served 747,000 passengers, maintaining Viking Line’s market share at nearly 70%. 
  • International tourist numbers rose significantly, with notable increases in Chinese, German, Polish, South Korean, and American passengers. 
  • Climate tourism, driven by people seeking cooler destinations, is on the rise. 
  • The abrupt end of the summer season is a challenge for the tourism industry due to earlier school start dates in Finland. 

 Read the full story on Vikingline.com 

Sep 06
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments

At SMM in Hamburg, Knud E. Hansen revealed a concept design for the new Grimaldi RoPax vessels.  

Grimaldi Group has just launched the tender for nine new ships: three for Finnlines (similar to the last two of the ‘Superstar’ series recently delivered), two for Minoan and three for Grimaldi Euromed. 

A signature is expected end of 2024, beginning of 2025.

Sea trials have been successfully completed on the newly built ro-pax ferry GNV POLARIS, the first of four vessels commissioned by the MSC Group to Guangzhou Shipyard International.  

The delivery is scheduled to take place before the end of the current year and then the GNV POLARIS will be deployed on the regular link between Spain mainland (Valencia and Barcelona) and the Balearic Islands.   

GNV POLARIS (as the sister ship GNV ORION, already launched earlier this year) is 218m long with a capacity for 1,785 passengers and 3,100 lane metres of freight. 

Two more sister ships will follow and will be LNG-powered. 

Aug 31
2

Irish Ferries profit saw an impressive growth of 80% in H1

By | 2024 Newsletter week 35 | No Comments

Here are the financial highlights from the Irish Continental Group’s H1 Financial Report for the half-year ended 30 June 2024: 

  • Revenue Growth: The Group’s revenue increased by 8.1% to €285.5 million, up from €264.0 million in the same period in 2023. 
  • EBITDA Stability: EBITDA slightly increased by 1.4% to €49.7 million, compared to €49.0 million in HY 2023, indicating stable operational efficiency. 
  • Operating Profit Improvement: Operating profit rose by 7.4% to €17.4 million from €16.2 million in HY 2023. 
  • Profit Before Tax: The Group reported a profit before tax of €14.6 million, an increase of 4.3% from €14.0 million in HY 2023. 
  • Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share grew by 10.7% to 8.30 cents from 7.50 cents in HY 2023, reflecting improved profitability per share. 
  • Interim Dividend: An interim dividend of 5.11 cents per share was declared, a 5.0% increase from the 4.87 cents per share in HY 2023. 
  • Net Debt: Net debt increased by 28.7% to €211.7 million, primarily due to the acquisition of the OSCAR WILDE ferry on a charter with a purchase obligation. 
  • Volume Growth: The Ferries Division saw significant growth in volumes, with car carryings up by 21.0% and RoRo freight units increasing by 10.5%. 
  • Container and Terminal Division: This division experienced an 8.7% increase in containers shipped and port lifts, though profitability was down due to lower rates and higher costs. 
  • Strategic Developments: The Group strengthened its position on the Dover-Calais route through a space charter agreement with P&O Ferries and the acquisition of the Oscar Wilde ferry. 
  • Cost Management: Operating costs increased by 7.8% to €188.1 million, with notable increases in fuel costs and expenses related to the EU Emission Trading System. 
  • Strong Liquidity Position: Despite the increase in net debt, the Group maintained a strong liquidity position with cash balances of €51.2 million.

Strong performance of Irish Ferries: 

  • Revenue Growth: The Ferry Division’s revenue increased by 9.9% to €197.6 million, up from €179.8 million in HY 2023. 
  • Operating Profit Surge: Operating profit nearly doubled, rising by 79.2% to €9.5 million from €5.3 million in the same period last year. 
  • Passenger Revenue Increase: Passenger revenues surged by 16.8%, driven by a 21.9% increase in passenger carryings, totaling over 1.33 million passengers. 
  • Car Volume Growth: Car volumes rose by 21.0% to 277,200 units, reflecting strong demand for travel. 
  • Freight Revenue and Volume Expansion: RoRo freight volumes grew by 10.5%, contributing to a 13.3% increase in freight revenues. 
  • Strategic Fleet Expansion: The introduction of the Oscar Wilde ferry on the Dover-Calais route enhanced capacity and service, contributing to overall growth. 
  • Market Share and Recovery: The division’s performance underscores its ability to capture market share in a recovering travel market post-pandemic. 
  • Strong Outlook: These results position Irish Ferries for continued growth and success in the second half of the year. 

Click on cover to view report

Aug 31
2

Fjord Line 2023 Annual Report

By | 2024 Newsletter week 35 | No Comments

The 2023 financial report for Fjord Line AS, published on 19 August 2024, highlights a challenging year with financial losses primarily due to high fuel prices and a slow recovery in passenger numbers post-pandemic. Despite these challenges, the company implemented cost-saving measures and worked on optimizing operations. The report indicates an overall negative financial performance, but it also emphasizes efforts to strengthen the company’s long-term financial stability and improve efficiency. 

 Main figures Fjord Line AS Group 

Revenues: 1469 MNOK (1666)
Operating Expenses: 1938 MNOK (1892)
Operating Result: -468 MNOK (-226)
Result: -823 MNOK (-411)
Comprehensive income for the year, net of tax: 101 MNOK (122 MNOK) 

 

  • High Season Performance: After two years of pandemic-related travel restrictions, Fjord Line achieved its highest-ever revenue during the 2022 high season. 
  • Financial Challenges: Rising LNG fuel prices, partly due to geopolitical events like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, created a non-sustainable financial situation for Fjord Line. 
  • Vessel Conversions: STAVANGERFJORD and BERGENSFJORD, from single-fuel LNG to dual-fuel MGO/LNG to improve financial sustainability. 
  • Operational Flexibility: 
  • The dual-fuel capability provides flexibility to operate the vessels efficiently, regardless of fluctuations in LNG or MGO prices. 
  • Despite the ability to use MGO, Fjord Line remains committed to environmental sustainability and primarily operates on LNG. 
  • Strategic Changes in 2023: 
  • Terminated the Sandefjord-Strömstad route. 
  • Changed the destination from Langesund to Kristiansand for the vessels STAVANGERFJORD and BERGENSFJORD. 
  • Closed offices in Sandefjord and Strömstad, relocating functions to Bergen and Hirtshals. 
  • Concluded the sale of the vessel OSLOFJORD. 
  • Progress on Strategic Plan: The above measures align Fjord Line with its 3-year strategic plan for 2023-2026, marking 2023 as a transitional year. 
  • Outlook for 2024: 
  • 2024 is the first normal operational year since 2019 and is progressing well, with no extraordinary events impacting operations. 
  • To support the strategic plan and ensure sufficient financial flexibility, Fjord Line, along with its board and shareholders, has initiated steps to improve working capital, such as refinancing or capital injection. This process is expected to conclude in the second half of 2024.