Tasmania: when the ferries will be ready before the infrastructure

By | 2024 Newsletter week 33 | No Comments

The Tasmanian Government has requested and accepted the immediate resignation of the Chair of TT-Line amid delays in the Spirit of Tasmania port infrastructure project. They did not mention Michael Grainger by name. 

Premier Jeremy Rockliff appointed two infrastructure experts to manage the completion of the project, aiming to resolve ongoing issues and expedite the delivery of the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels under construction in Finland. 

The new ferries will temporarily use an upgraded berth due to delays in completing the designated berth, expected by January 2026. They will only be able to carry as much freight, passengers and caravans as the current vessels. 

Intermarine (Immsi Group) delivers SIRIUS, the new high-speed ferry for the Bay of Naples, to SNAV

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Intermarine S.p.A. (a subsidiary of the Immsi industrial group – IMS.MI) has delivered the new High-Speed Craft (HSC) SNAV SIRIUS to the SNAV shipping company (MSC Group). The SNAV SIRIUS is a latest-generation ferry for short sea crossings, which will operate in the Bay of Naples. 

The SNAV SIRIUS is constructed entirely in lightweight aluminium and its Italian design gives it a distinctive personality in the world of high-speed craft. The quality of its technological solutions and its performance capabilities make it a reference model. 

While the new boat is similar in size to the HSC SNAV ORION, which has been in service with SNAV for a number of years on links with the islands in the Bay of Naples, it has been completely upgraded. The propulsion system consists of 4 engines and 3 IMO III type-approved generators (Marpol Convention) for electric combustion control, fitted with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for significant emissions reduction. The engines and the generators can also be powered with biofuel, whose use contributes to a well-to-wake emissions reduction of up to 90%. The boat is also equipped with a cold ironing dock socket for shore-to-ship energy supply, and can accommodate a hybrid propulsion system for zero-emission port entry and exit manoeuvres. 

Source: IMMSI 

Is Nouris El Bahr Ferries more than a fata morgana?

By | 2024 Newsletter week 32 | No Comments

Nouris El Bahr Ferries?  

Indeed, the website of this unknown Algeria-based company says they will launch soon. A countdown is active.  

The shown vessel is Polferries’ CRACOVIA, currently laid up in Świnoujście, Poland. 

Nouris El Bahr, or “The Seagull”, intends to be a competitor to Algerie Ferries.  

On its Linkedin Page, the company says in French that “Our mission is to transform the maritime industry in Algeria and elevate it to an entirely new level, making every journey exciting and memorable!”.  

After Algerie Ferries suffered from multiple technical issues, with cancelled trips and laid-up vessels, and management reshuffles, irritation is growing. 

Kennacraig and Port Askaig (Scotland) reach significant milestones in preparation for new Islay vessels

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A programme of CMAL-led preparatory work to upgrade two ferry terminals on the Islay route has reached key milestones, paving the way for delivery of new vessels by the end of the year.  

Upgrades to the south berth of Kennacraig ferry terminal are now complete, while Port Askaig ferry terminal fendering work has also finished, following a six-week closure, allowing ferry services to resume. 

New Islay Vessel Enabling Works (NIVEW) at Port Askaig.  

Newly refurbished linkspan deck being lifted in place at Kennacraig. 

From left to right: Andrew Laverty, Site Manager from George Leslie Ltd, Tony Fry, Construction Manager from George Leslie Ltd, Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Nasir Uddin, Project Manager from CMAL 

Ferry veteran HEBRIDEAN ISLES to leave the CalMac fleet end of this year

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HEBRIDEAN ISLES to be retired as CalMac and CMAL modernise major vessel fleet: 

  • Retirement Date: MV Hebridean Isles will be retired in November 2024. 
  • Service Duration: In operation since December 1985. 
  • Recent Service: Primarily served the Islay route. 
  • Replacement Vessels: ISLE OF ISLAY and LOCH INDAAL. 
  • Reason for Retirement: Age and required extensive overhaul. 
  • Certification Expiry: Certification expires on 21 November 2024. 

Source: CalMac.co.uk 

 

Brittany Ferries is looking to become the majority stakeholder of Condor Ferries

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The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) issued a notice of application for approval of a transaction regarding the sale of 22% of the shares in Condor to Brittany Ferries, with the option to buy 100% of the shares at a later date. 

Brittany Ferries (B.A.I. Bretagne Angleterre Irlande) already has a 29% stake in Condor. If the deal is approved, it will take it to 51%. 

Christophe Matthieu, Brittany Ferries’ CEO, is currently CEO ad interim at Condor Ferries. 

The deadline for comments is 20 August 2024. Details can be found here: JCRA (pdf)   

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2024 Newsletter week 32 | No Comments

On August 8, Tallinn-based BLRT Grupp celebrated the commissioning of its new large floating dock. The new floating dock, designed for ship maintenance, repair, and modernization, is capable of servicing all Handysize vessels and some Handymax vessels, ranging from tankers to passenger ships. 

The 180-meter-long, 30-meter-wide floating dock with a lifting capacity of 10,000 tonnes was completed at the HAT-SAN Shipyard in Turkey at the end of May this year. 

Source: BLRT Grupp on Linkedin 

Baleària has teamed up with Iberia Express, leader in flights between Madrid and the Balearic Islands, to offer the airline’s passengers an exclusive onboard promotion: on Madrid-Ibiza flights, Baleària ship tickets can now be purchased for the Ibiza – Formentera route at a lower rate than on the website. 

Source: Baleària 

Echandia has been selected to supply maritime battery systems for San Francisco Bay Ferry’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) Ferry Program—the first zero-emission high-speed ferries in the USA. 

The REEF Program will initially deploy three 150-passenger and two 400-passenger battery electric ferries, set to transform water transit in the Bay Area by 2026. SF Bay Ferry and its REEF integration team is also working on designs for a new electric charging float for the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal. The float will have energy storage via battery banks to allow for rapid charging during dwell times at the terminal. 

Source: Echandia on Linkedin 

Finnlines: a half-year report with a bright future

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Financial 

H1, 2024 

  • +6% Revenue EUR 358.0 (336.4 in 2023) million. 
  • -7% EBITDA EUR 83.7 (89.6) million. 
  • -42% Result EUR 24.2 (41.9) million. 
  • Interest-bearing debt increased by EUR 76.3 million and was EUR 464.1 (387.8) million at the end of the period. 

Q2, 2024 

  • +13% Revenue EUR 195.8 (173.2 in 2023) million. 
  • +22% EBITDA amounted to EUR 53.6 (44.1) million. 
  • +19% Result for the reporting period EUR 24.2 (20.3) million. 

 Statistical (H1) 

  • Cargo units 400,000 (356,000 in H1, 2023)  
  • Cars 47,000 (86,000) (not including passenger cars) 
  • Tons of non-unitised cargo 658,000 (707,000)  
  • Passengers (*) 409,000 (306,000) (*private passengers and professional drivers) 
  • The number of private passengers has more than doubled on the route between Finland and Sweden via Åland Islands (Naantali–Långnäs– Kapellskär) after the introduction of two new Superstar vessels. 

 Click on the cover to access the report