The news site El Tambor (in Spanish) says that the CEO of the Barreras Shipyard announced the imminent order for a 180m ro-pax, during the keel laying of the first Ritz-Carlton cruise yacht. They add that the owner has not been announced yet, however, they think it might be Naviera Armas.
According to Noord Hollands Dagblad (in Dutch), reserve ferry SCHULPENGAT will be withdrawn after a faithful service since 1991. The island of Texel is now being served by TEXELSTROOM, since 2016.
SCHULPENGAT will probably be recycled environmentally friendly. No buyer has been found yet.
Total Croatia News (in English) writes that Jadrolinija has the intention to invest €45 million in two second-hand and two new catamarans.
From an interview with Pierre Mattei in Corse Matin (in French) we highlight the following topics, which we think are relevant.
- Corsica Ferries started 50 years ago in May 2018, with the route Livorno-Bastia.
- 6% growth in passengers (3.8 million) in 2017.
- In December the management acquired 100% of the shares.
- New route from Toulon to the Balearic Islands starting April 21 is a testimony to Corsica Ferries’ flexibility and optimisation of the fleet. Quote: “Market analyses can never beat real experience.”
- Corsica Ferries is still waiting for the €85 million, attributed by the Administrative Tribunal of Bastia in connection to the Public Service Delegation of 2007/2013.
- New for this summer will be the possibility for guests to chose their cabin.
- Quote (regarding the Public Service) “Too often the question is about WHO is going to operate a public service route, rather than asking questions about the public service itself.”
- What is a fair system? “A system which allows fair competition between the different operators, and which doesn’t hinder the development of other routes.”
- Is public money a necessity? “Yes, if the loss of income (off-season..) is proven.” Politicians have to decide which routes are vital, and which aren’t.
Photo: Mike Louagie
Catamaran WESTPAC EXPRESS has arrived in Belfast, to be refurbished at Harland & Wolf. Owned by Irish Continental Group it is unclear what her future will be.
Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione S.p.A., fully owned by Moby S.p.A., sold the 1995-built ro-ro PUGLIA to EuroAfrica Shipping Lines, to operate under the Unity Line brand. The 50-cabin-berth / 1,780 lane meter ship has been renamed COPERNICUS and is on her way to Poland.
Accommodation ship WIND SOLUTION has been sold to a Greek company, probably SeaJets (to be confirmed). She was built as a ferry in 1969, under the name PRINSESSAN CHRISTINA.
Færgerederierne, the Car Ferry Section of the Danish Shipowners Association celebrated its 50 years on January 12. Chairman John Steen Mikkelsen welcomed the many guests to the celebration onboard DFDS’s cruise ferry PEARL SEAWAYS. He emphasized that the ferries are central to the Danish infrastructure, with over 32 million passengers, 10 million cars and 20 million tons of goods annually.