- Tom Pippingsköld will retire and it has been agreed that he will continue in his position as the President and CEO until 28 February 2025.
- Finnlines Plc’s Board of Directors has appointed Vice President and Deputy CEO, COO Thomas Doepel as the new President and CEO of Finnlines Plc from 1 March 2025.
- Tom Pippingsköld and Thomas Doepel have been members of Finnlines’ Executive Committee since 2013.
CMA CGM owned company La Méridionale has started to advertise the Morocco Line.
- Marseille-Tangier Med
- Operated by Brittany Ferries’ RoPax NORMANDIE
- Crossing 40 hours
- Part of marketing 1: “Your ship is equipped with the REPCET solution for observing and tracking cetaceans.”
- Part of marketing 2: “When your ship’s at berth in Marseille, it cuts its engines and uses shore-to-ship power.”
- https://www.lameridionale.fr/en/on-board/our-ships/your-new-ship-on-the-morocco-line
Audit Scotland says in a report:
- The future of Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (FMPG) is uncertain, with no work secured beyond the completion of GLEN ROSA, expected in September 2025. While the yard recently delivered the delayed GLEN SANNOX, significant investment is needed to remain competitive.
- FMPG currently relies on Scottish Government funding, guaranteed until 2026, and lacks contracts beyond the two ferries.
- Hopes to secure work under the small vessel replacement programme were impacted by UK subsidy laws, requiring FMPG to compete with five other firms for the tender.
- Auditors have highlighted serious governance issues, including unauthorised employee exit packages exceeding public sector thresholds and improper contract changes leading to £48,000 in underpaid taxes. Addressing these governance failings is critical for the yard’s future stability.
Publication: The 2023/24 audit of Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Limited
On 9 December 2024, EVIA STAR resumed her regular Rafina–Marmari service, fully refurbished and showcasing her new livery. The ship was sold to the newly established Olympian Ferries last June, along with her fleetmate PANORAMA. She has been serving this route since June 2001 under the ownership of Marmari Shipping.
Photo: Spyros Roussos
On 16 December 2024, ANEK Lines’ HELLENIC SPIRIT arrived at Elefsis Shipyards (ONEX Group) for her scheduled major overhaul. The vessel ceased operations on the Patras–Igoumenitsa–Ancona route on 15 December to prepare for an extensive refit.
The upgrade will include a complete engine overhaul, installation of scrubbers, and a transformation of her livery to that of Superfast Ferries. The ship will also be renamed SUPERFAST IV and is expected to resume service on the Adriatic route by February 2025.
Photo: ANEK Lines
STENA EUROPA, freshly repainted in the colours of Africa Morocco Link, has started the operations between Algeciras and Tanger Med.
Watch the stunning video made by Voyagair / Christos Chatzaras.
Besiktas Shipyard started a partnership with Corsica Linea. The first retrofit project, including bulbous bow modification has been successfully completed for RoPax PASCAL PAOLI.
Source: Besiktas Shipyard on Linkedin
Ferry ticket distribution company Liknoss started a partnership with Blu Navy Traghetti, the company that operates between Piombino and Portoferraio.
Source: Liknoss on Linkedin
DFDS’ GALATA SEAWAYS called for the first time at the Greek port of Patras. It will be a weekly call on the RoRo route between Sète (France) and Yalova (Türkiye).
It is exactly one year since the New Zealand Government decided to pull the plug on KiwiRail’s iRex plan to build two new rail-enabled RoPax ferries for Interislander. Reason: ballooning costs, up to 3 billion NZD (1.653 billion EUR).
On Wednesday 11 December, the Government announced new plans:
- New Zealand Government is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries for the Cook Strait. Cabinet has agreed to capitalise the new company with NZD 4 million of equity.
- The ferries are expected to begin operation in 2029 (three years later than the cancelled iRex ferries)
- The Ministerial Advisory Group’s recommendation is for the ships to be medium-sized RoPax vessels, approximately 200m in length. This is larger than the current ferries but smaller than the iReX ferries.
- Will the new ferries be rail-enabled? “The new ferries will be rail compatible” (…)
- Expected cost: commercially confidential until procurement and negotiations for the associated landside infrastructure have been completed.
- First stage of the procurement process in March, after which final decisions on next steps will be taken.
- Opportunity: alternative proposals will be assessed alongside the initial procurement results in March.
Read official statements from the Government and KiwiRail
New ferries will ensure safe, resilient connection
Press conference
Press release KiwiRail
KiwiRail welcomes announcement on future ferries for Cook Strait
Photo Kiwirail: KAITAKI passing through Whekenui Bay
Stena AB Revenues
Total revenues increased by SEK 593 million to SEK 41,403 (40,810) million in the nine months ended 30 September 2024. The revenues are higher within all segments except for the Shipping segment compared to the same period last year.
Stena AB Operational EBITDA
The operational EBITDA for the consolidated Stena AB Group decreased by SEK 602 million to SEK 10,300 (10,902) million.
Ferry Operations
Operational EBITDA decreased by SEK 251 million to SEK 3,332 (3,583) million in the nine months ended 30 September 2024 mainly due to higher costs and somewhat softer markets compared to the same period last year.
Freight volumes decreased 1%, car volumes decreased 1% and passenger
volumes decreased 1% compared to last year.
Stena RoRo
Operational EBITDA from chartering out vessels increased by SEK 89 million to SEK 742 (653) million mainly due to the delivery of Ala’suinu in February 2024.
Source: https://stena.com/app/uploads/2024/11/Stena-AB-Group-Q3-2024.pdf
Baleària has announced the construction of two electric catamarans, ESPAÑA 2030 and MAROC 2030, to operate on the Tarifa-Tanger Ville route, for which they have recently won the tender.
With an investment of €135 million, these vessels will be built at the Armón shipyards and are expected to become operational in two and a half years.
Each catamaran will feature an electric power capacity of 16 MW and batteries with 11,500 kWh, enabling full crossings without CO₂ emissions.
The semi-high-speed vessels will have a capacity for 804 passengers and 225 vehicles, with a maximum speed of 26 knots.
OSK Design announced its selection by Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation (COTUNAV) to design its next-generation RoPax and RoRo vessels.
OSK Design has an extensive experience with leading ferry operators—including Algerie Ferries, Moby, TTLine, P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries and more.
The designs for COTUNAV’s new fleet will focus on:
- Reliability: Advanced machinery and redundant systems ensure continuous operation in challenging maritime conditions.
- Performance: Superior seakeeping and handling capabilities enable safe and efficient operations across varying environments.
- Flexibility: Adaptable designs accommodate evolving market demands and regulatory requirements.
- Environmental Sustainability: Energy-efficient technologies and eco-friendly solutions will reduce emissions and minimise the vessels’ environmental footprint, aligning with global sustainability goals.
OSK Design announced its selection by Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation (COTUNAV) to design its next-generation RoPax and RoRo vessels.
OSK Design has an extensive experience with leading ferry operators—including Algerie Ferries, Moby, TTLine, P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries and more.
The designs for COTUNAV’s new fleet will focus on:
- Reliability: Advanced machinery and redundant systems ensure continuous operation in challenging maritime conditions.
- Performance: Superior seakeeping and handling capabilities enable safe and efficient operations across varying environments.
- Flexibility: Adaptable designs accommodate evolving market demands and regulatory requirements.
- Environmental Sustainability: Energy-efficient technologies and eco-friendly solutions will reduce emissions and minimise the vessels’ environmental footprint, aligning with global sustainability goals.
On 6 December 2024, after extensive negotiations, Fast Ferries finalised the acquisition of Zante Ferries’ ships: DIONISSIOS SOLOMOS (built in 1990) and ADAMANDIOS KORAIS (built in 1987).
Both vessels will undergo refurbishment and adopt new livery while remaining on their current routes:
- DIONISSIOS SOLOMOS: Piraeus–Western Cyclades route.
- ADAMANDIOS KORAIS: Alexandroupolis–Samothrace barren line.
Zante Ferries’ History:
- Established in 1991 in Zakynthos, operating initially in the Ionian Sea.
- Transitioned to the Aegean Sea in 2008 with ADAMANDIOS KORAIS servicing Central Aegean routes, later focusing on Western Cyclades.
- In 2017, DIONISSIOS SOLOMOS joined the Western Cyclades route, marking the company’s permanent shift from the Ionian Sea.
- After 33 years of service, Zante Ferries has ceased operations in Hellenic Coastal Shipping.
Photo © Charalambos Symeonidis
