New Horizons For Attica Group, With The Acquisition Of Hellenic Seaways
Last week Ferry Shipping News paid a visit to Athens and despite being extremely busy, the CEO of Attica Group Mr Spiros Paschalis (photo) made time early in the morning to give us an update on the developments of Attica Group.
M.S.C. = More Ships To Come
(And For G.N.V. Too)
Genoa is a busy cruise and ferry port. Last Saturday (June 9), MSC SEAVIEW was christened, again by Mrs Sophia Loren (for the 13th time!).
But…what does this have to do with ferries?
The MSC Group also owns the ferry company Grande Nave Veloci, something ignored by a lot of guests, even though many of them were travel professionals. It might have been a coincidence, but still, the fact to have the ferry LA SUPREMA being berthed almost for 24 hours next to the new MSC SEAVIEW certainly created awareness.
Ferry Shipping News is looking forward to the naming ceremonies of the new GNV ferries under construction in China.
The high-speed ferry SANTORINI PALACE has begun her daily itineraries from the port of Heraklion to her new destinations, Santorini, Ios, Paros and Mykonos. (June 13). She’s the ex HIGHSPEED 7, operated by Hellenic Seaways, and part of the deal between Grimaldi and Attica.
GALICIA and SALAMANCA will be the names for the two new, chartered ferries, which are expected in 2021 and 2022. The names have been chosen by the staff, and are the result of a mini contest.
Both ships will be based in Portsmouth, and will operate between the UK and Spain. They will fly the French flag, and have French crew.
STENA NORDICA
After summer, Stena Line will re-deploy three ships on three routes. The target is to further improve service and accessibility for customers and optimise operations in line with market developments.
HAMMERODDE
STENA GOTHICA photo: Rickard Sahlsten
DFDS has ordered one additional ro-ro newbuilding for delivery in the first half of 2020 from the Chinese Jinling Shipyard.
The newbuilding is similar to the four previously ordered ro-ro’s and likewise designed to carry 6,700 lane metres of freight equivalent to around 450 trailers.
DFDS’ fleet renewal programme also includes two ro-pax ferries to be delivered in 2021 for deployment in the Baltic route network.
In addition, one chartered ro-pax (from Stena RoRo) will be delivered in 2021 for deployment on The English Channel routes.
Stena Line has confirmed that the first of its new ferries currently under construction in China is planned to enter service on its Holyhead – Dublin route early 2020.
The following two ferries will serve the Liverpool-Belfast route.
Photo: Stena Line
Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft & Co.KG (FSG) has advised Irish Ferries of a further delay to the delivery of the W.B. Yeats. The new ship was due to commence sailings between Ireland and France from July 30 (after an earlier delay).
Irish Ferries had no option but to cancel all the planned sailings to France for W.B. YEATS this Summer, with the ship now likely to commence sailing with Irish Ferries on Dublin / Holyhead as scheduled in September.
Approximately 6,000 bookings will be impacted by this issue.
The postponement is caused by delays in the delivery of interior fitting components for the public areas, as well as the electrical system installation.
Photo: FSG
The Grimaldi Group has ordered six more units of the so-called Grimaldi Green Fifth Generation (GG5G) class. This brings the total to twelve, to be built in China, at the Jinling Shipyard. The vessels have been designed in close cooperation with Knud E Hansen.
Some particulars:
Photo: Knud E. Hansen
The Cemre Shipyard launched NB59, to be named HADAROY. She is the first of a new series of five battery-powered ferries for Fjord1. (June 12) Havyard Group has designed these ferries. Capacity is 399 pax and 120 cars.
Photo: Courtesy Cemre Shipyard