Shore Power To Improve Air Quality And Reduce Noise In Port And City Of Tallinn
Port of Tallinn will install the latest ABB shore power systems on five of its piers in the Old City Harbour as part of the first shore power project in Estonia, the aim of which is to supply the vessels that visit the port with shore electricity and thus reduce emissions and noise created by the ships’ engines.
According to the current timetable, the UK is due to leave the EU on 31 October. But what does withdrawal mean for those who ship freight between Sweden and the UK via the Port of Gothenburg? And will it affect those handling non-UK bound freight at the port?
Does Grimaldi Intend To Take Over ANEK LINES?
According to an article in the Greek news website newmoney.gr, there has been an exploratory discussion between a representative of the Italian Group and the management of Piraeus Bank, on whether there are conditions for Grimaldi Group to acquire ANEK LINES. A development that became serious when Piraeus Bank opened the discussion about the future of the MIG’s Attica Group (Superfast-Blue Star Ferries-Hellenic Seaways), as well as the future of ANEK LINES.
A few days ago, a senior executive of the Grimaldi Group said that Emanuele Grimaldi is interested in making serious investments in Crete. Within that framework there was a meeting held with the management of Piraeus Bank about ANEK LINES. However, the price was initially considered high and the conversation stopped there. Of course, that is not meaning that there will not be any surprises in the future.
Italian Group’s “circles” add that: “Crete must have one company resulting from the Minoan-ANEK merger and the Attica Group as a competitor”. Also they claimed that: “Minoan Lines have repaid all their bank loans while the company’s overall financial condition can possibly absorb the financial shocks from a possible purchase of the ANEK LINES “.
Moreover, senior executives of the Italian Group made a few points about the future of Hellenic Coastal Lines:
Also, they stressed that the Italian Group is always considering plans to expand its routes, but everything will depend on the conditions of the ferry market.
Caledonian MacBrayne is challenging the Scottish government’s decision not to give it a contract to run Northern Isles ferries.
Serco won a six-year contract in 2012 and it was named the preferred bidder to continue the service last month.
However CalMac, which is owned by the Scottish government, says its tender was cheaper than Serco’s.
The environmental group AGADEN will demand the Port Authority of Algeciras to have the MED STAR (Intershipping) withdrawn and scrapped.
AGADEN started to publish a press release and a video, showing the vessel with dense smoke coming out of the funnel. The group considers that the ship has reached the end of its useful life.
The Maritime Authorities stopped six ferries due to pollution during the three months of the “Operation Paso del Estrecho”. In virtually all cases, the arrest was due to an excess of air emissions.
The “complex” tender for the fast-ferry service between Malta and Gozo would be issued for the third time, the Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana has confirmed.
A first attempt was made in 2017 when the Transport Minister issued a request for proposals to seek interested parties wanting to offer the service in conjunction with State-owned ferry company Gozo Channel.
Though an evaluation committee had concluded that Virtu Ferries made the best offer and talks with Gozo Channel had started, the Transport Ministry cancelled the request for proposals in January last year and issued a slightly modified call.
APOLLO, removed from service last March, will be turned into an artificial reef for scuba-diving enthusiasts in Godbout, Quebec, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River.
Grimaldi Group’s Ferries Undergoing Scrubber Conversion
Grimaldi Group’s ferries have already been in line in order to undergo their scheduled scrubber conversion. First to have arrived at Dock n°4 of Palumbo shipyards (Malta) was the cruise ferry CRUISE BONARIA. The Italian-built ship is also having her shafts repaired.
A few days later she was followed by the larger CRUISE OLYMPIA which is currently at Dock n°6 undergoing her scrubber conversion.
AZORES EXPRESS, laid up in Perama after its charter season in the Acores.
IONIAN SKY, once part of the NEL Lines fleet.