Molslinjen aims to be a global role model for ferry companies by setting ambitious targets and fostering innovation

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Molslinjen, Denmark’s largest domestic ferry operator under Nordic Ferry Infrastructure, is pursuing greener ferry operations by joining the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to help limit global warming. CEO Kristian Durhuus stated that Molslinjen aims to be part of the solution to global climate challenges, targeting completely emission-free operations by 2040. 

The company is electrifying its ferry operations, with an electric ferry already built for the Fanø Line (photo), and new electric ferries under construction for the Samsø and Als Lines. Ferries with some of the world’s largest batteries are currently operating on the Öresund Line. Efforts are also underway to electrify the Kattegat and Bornholm lines using various technologies, including a mechanical battery with a flywheel developed by WattsUp Power, a company Molslinjen has invested in. 

Corsica Linea’s goal: 40% emissions reduction – Over 50 projects launched to reduce its environmental footprint

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Corsica Linea has launched over 50 projects to cut CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2040. Key initiatives include optimizing fuel consumption through adjusted departure times, improving ship efficiency with technical adaptations, and using biofuels to reduce emissions by 85%. By the end of 2023, emissions per nautical mile have already decreased by nearly 8% compared to 2022. The company plans to reduce emissions by 15% by the end of 2024 and aims to be the most modern and environmentally responsible Mediterranean maritime transport company by 2030. 

Earlier, Corsica Linea announced the arrival of its second LNG-powered ship, expected by 2026 (Stena E-Flexer). 

As announced in November 2023, also La Méridionale is set to receive two new LNG-powered ships in 2027, designed to transform the voyage between the mainland and Corsica into a more environmentally friendly and pleasant experience. 

Golden Star Ferries acquires ARMAS’ Volcan de Taburiente

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On July 22, 2024, Greece-based Golden Star Ferries officially announced the purchase of the RoPax Volcan de Taburiente that belonged to the Spanish Navieras Armas. The ship was sold for over EUR 20 million (exclusively with Golden Star Capitals) and will be delivered in Q3. 

According to the information, she will be renamed Andros King and is expected to serve probably on the morning departure from Rafina to Andros-Tinos-Mykonos.  

Upon adaptation for Greek conditions (in Perama), the ferry will offer passenger cabins, escalators, lounges, airplane-style seats, shops, and spacious common areas. 

HSC STAR chartered by Blu Jet for 18 months

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Shipbrokers Ferrando & Massone announced that charter contract for the fast ferry STAR (built in 2019, 300 passengers capacity, 30 knots speed and Croatian-owned) was signed by BLU JET. 

Ferrando & Massone acted as broker.  

The unit will be used on the Strait of Messina from August for 18 months linking the ports of Villa San Giovanni and Messina.  

The Genoa-based broker house also specified that this catamaran was one of the very few vessels available on the market that met Blu Jet’s requests both in terms of age of construction, passenger capacity and performance. With this catamaran, BLU JET increases the number of fast units used, increasingly responding to the requests of its clients. 

Tuscany Region to fund purchase and refit of ferries for the maritime continuity

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The Tuscany Region announced to have approved a scheme aimed at funding, together with the Italian transport ministry, the purchase of three high-speed vessels for a price of EUR 10,700,000 each and for a total amount of EUR 32,100,000. 

Besides these three new ferries, the rest of the amount (i.e roughly EUR 9,200,000) will be for retrofit of vessels set to be deployed for the maritime continuity between Italy mainland and the islands of Elba, Capraia and Giglio. 

IMAGE CARDS

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Polferries’ new Varsovia arrived in the Baltic, with a maiden call in the Swedish port of Ystad on July 19th. 

Photo: Port of Ystad 

CLdN have now sold another Kawasakiclass RoRo vessel. The Celestine has become the Jabal Ali 11. 

Once a year, the Scandlines fleet must carry out an ISPS drill in cooperation with external forces, as required by German authorities. At the beginning of July, the hybrid ferry Schleswig-Holstein, in collaboration with the Bundeswehr’s SAR helicopter, conducted a spectacular ISPS drill in the Fehmarn Belt. 

Source: Scandlines Linkedin 

Thursday 25th July was the first call of CLdN’s new Baltic connection in partnership with Transfennica. The RoRo Kraftca is now on her way to Finland and Estonia after having unloaded and loaded cargo at CLdN’s Albert II terminal in Zeebrugge. 

July 19th, Rauma shipyard celebrated the launch of the Spirit of Tasmania V with traditional ceremonies.  

The vessel’s godmother is Barbara Baker, the 29th Governor of Tasmania.  

The vessel is the second of two car and passenger ferries ordered from the shipyard for Tasmania.  

Seven new electric ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides

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Transport Scotland has announced plans to acquire seven new electric ferries to enhance the resilience of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network and support island communities. 

The first stage of the competitive tender process will assess if shipyards interested in bidding for the contract meet the financial and technical criteria to take on the project. 

Estimated costs for Phase 1 of the Small Vessels Replacement Programme are around £175 million, for the seven new vessels as well as port improvements and shore power upgrades. 

The invitation to tender for this contact is expected to issue around September 2024, with a view to awarding the contract in March 2025. 

Source: Transport Scotland 

EU to invest €7 billion into sustainable, safe and smart transport infrastructure

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The European Commission has selected 134 transport projects to receive over €7 billion in EU grants from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the EU’s instrument for strategic investment in infrastructure. 

Around 20 maritime ports in Ireland, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Malta, Lithuania, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, and Poland will receive support for infrastructure upgrades, some of which will enable them to supply shore-side electricity to ships, or transport renewable energy. 

Rail projects will receive 80% of the €7 billion. 

Source: European Commission 

Dublin Port has been awarded €73.8 million in funding from the EU’s CEF Transport (Connecting Europe Facility for Transport) as part of a €7billion EU investment in sustainable, safe and smart transport infrastructure. (Source: Dublin Port) 

Damen cuts first steel on four full electric ferries for BC Ferries

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Damen Shipyards Galati yard cut first steel on the first two of four, fully electric Island Class Ferries that it is building for BC Ferries, on 16 July. The ferries will be the first fully electric vessels to operate in the company’s fleet. 

Operating with battery packs with the capacity to supply the power train with 2,000 kilowatt-hour of electricity, the vessels will carry up to 47 vehicles and 390 passengers. 

Damen will also supply BC Ferries with the required charging towers. The ferries will recharge efficiently during (dis)embarkation of passengers, using renewable electricity. 

The vessels are based on Damen’s double-ended RoRo 8113 E3 model. The design features Damen’s in-house quality label E3, standing for Environmentally Friendly, Efficient in Operation and Economically Viable.   

Photo from left to right: Ed Hooper (Executive Director Shipbuilding BCF), Mark Vermeulen (Managing Director Damen OSV), Richard Tijpens (PM Damen OSV) Dragos Cojocariu (PM Damen Shipyards Galati), David Tolman (Program Manager BCF) 

Panorama ferry at North Sporades run?

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It is reported that Smart Ferries’ ship Panorama will probably be introduced on the Agios Konstantinos-North Sporades (Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos) route from July 18 to September 8, 2024. The specific ship was serving on the Rafina-Marmari route since 2011 on behalf of Panorama Shipping Co, which went out of business in July and sold its fleet to the new established Smart Lines. 

Panorama was built in Germany in 1987 for the Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and launched on the Port of Spain (Trinidad) – Scarborough (Tobago) route. She was sold to Greece in 2011. Her carrying capacity is for 700 passengers and 145 cars.  

Photo: Dimitris Mendakis