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2020 Newsletter week 19

May 07
2

Might Some of Tirrenia CIN’s Vessels Possibly be Sold?

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Italian financial newspaper MF (Milano Finanza) revealed this week that some of Tirrenia’s ferries controlled by Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione, may be put up for sale in the near future.

They are set to be seized by the Court of Rome following the action taken by the public “bad company” Tirrenia in Amministrazione Straordinaria.

The related revenues would be used to cover the deferred payments (a total amount of EUR 115 million) for the purchase of the former Tirrenia which were not paid in 2016 and 2019.

This potential scenario, if confirmed, would be possible in the coming months when the current public contract and subsidy to support lifeline maritime transportation with Sardinia, Sicily and Tremiti with Moby will expire. It should be mid of July but it is likely that a postponement of few months will be granted to the Vincenzo Onorato controlled group.

In its last available annual report, CIN said that the fleet was valued EUR 265 million (31 December 2018). However, some vessels were dismissed last year (HARTMUT PUSCHMANN, BARBARA KRAHULIK and AURELIA).

With reference to the other ferries still under CIN’s control the values reported at the end of 2018 are as follow: VINCENZO FLORIO (21.2m), BENIAMINO CARNEVALE (2m), RAFFAELE RUBATTINO (23.6m), BITHIA (38.5m), JANAS (38.5m), ATHARA (39.2m), NURAGHES (46.4m), SHARDEN (46.6m) and the high-speed vessel ISOLA DI CAPRAIA (2.8m).

Source: ESPO
May 07
2

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

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ESPO Proposes a Two-Step Approach on the New EU Transport Strategy

ESPO believes that in the absence of any insight on the duration and impact of the current crisis, it is, at this moment, impossible to set the ground for a long-term EU Transport Strategy.

ESPO proposes a two-step approach:

1) Europe’s first priority must now be to develop a restart and recovery plan which helps to overcome this crisis. It should develop the measures and instruments for Europe’s recovery to put the European economy and society back on track as soon as possible, while guaranteeing this happens in a safe way.

2) In a second phase, when the “new normal” sets in, the discussion should start on a new Transport Strategy, which will set the long-term goals, ambitions and initiatives for the European transport sector. The Strategy should integrate the consequences of and lessons learned from this crisis and should build on the new post-crisis reality.

ESPO and its members are happy to start the reflection with all stakeholders and EU decision makers in view of formulating clear answers to all these questions and setting the ground for a truly forward looking sustainable, connected, efficient and resilient transport system.

Source: ESPO
May 07
2

Canadian Shipper Association is Concerned about Newfoundland Supply Chain

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Freight Management Association of Canada (FMA) is warning that shortages of food, merchandise and vital chemicals could result if Oceanex Inc. continues to reduce its services to St. John’s.

What’s more, FMA also says ferry operator Marine Atlantic “would not be a viable alternative” to the carrier.

The FMA expressed its sobering views in a letter late last month to federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau, after Oceanex decided to reduce the number of weekly sailings into St. John’s from three to two.

Source: CBC
May 07
2

Hurtigruten Hit Hard by Crisis – Too Hard?

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Hurtigruten has laid off 3,000 employees, taken 14 out of 16 ships out of traffic and lost all passengers and revenue during the corona crisis.

The company asked for State aid, without success.

Hurtigruten’s CEO Daniel Skjeldam says that the State only wants to give loan guarantees to companies with a healthy credit score.

However, because of the corona crisis, Hurtigruten’s score has been lowered. Daniel Skjeldam says this is not right. “It is the credit score before the corona crisis that must be used.”

Source: E24
May 07
2

SHORT NEWS

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On April 30, 2020, Saos Ferries STAVROS was introduced on the Rhodes – Symi – Halki – Tilos – Nisyros – Kos line, plus 3 trips a week on the Rhodes – Kastelorizo run. The small vessel served for many years the Alexandroupolis – Samothraki run. However, in August 2019 she and her smaller running mate SAONISSOS halted service unexpectedly, due to serious engine failures- causing a serious problem on the Samothraki line in the middle of the summer season. The ship was eventually repaired, renamed and started hopefully a new career at another part of Greece.

  • Stena Line’s new STENA ESTRID is being taken off the Holyhead to Dublin route for repairs after suffering engine problems. On May, 3 she arrived at the layover berth at Loch Ryan Port where she will undergo maintenance for up to 6 weeks. Relief vessel STENA NORDICA picked up the schedule.
  • On the ferry between Kalundborg and Ballen (DK), Samsølinjen has reduced the number of passengers by half. This is done in order to create the necessary distance between the passengers. In a campaign, the ferry operator asks local passengers to book a seat in advance, instead of the usual showing up.
  • P&O Ferries have sent their ferries PRIDE OF BURGUNDY and PRIDE OF CANTERBURY for lay-up in the port of Leith, Edinburgh.
  • Consultant firm PwC has been called in to advise on UK taxpayer support of P&O Ferries.
  • Former Brittany Ferries BAIE DE SEINE has been returned to DFDS and sails as SIRENA SEAWAYS on Klaipeda – Karlshamn.
  • On April 30, 2020 Ventouris Ferries’ RIGEL VII was finally introduced on the Bari – Durres line. The new flagship of the Cypriot based ferry operator has first completed successfully her sea trials -on the Saronic Gulf- and then sailed to Albania (Durres). She was purchased from Japan in December 2018.
May 07
0

THREE SHIPS DOWN MEMORY LANE

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In August 1997 –high season– I travelled on several of the Moby Line ferries, from mainland Italy to Sardinia, Corsica and Elba.

Several of the ships have left us years ago.

SARDEGNA BELLA (built 1967 as STENA BRITANNICA)

This elegant passenger ferry will certainly look familiar to many of our industry professionals. Built as STENA BRITANNICA, she has been sailing on the Kattegat, in Alaska, the Baltic Sea, the English Channel, and last but not least in the Mediterranean Sea.

She sailed for companies as Sally AB and Sally Line, Viking Line, Brittany Ferries, North Sea Ferries, SOL Lines, Moby Lines etc..

She was broken up in 2001.

MOBY BLU (built 1965 as FREE ENTERPRISE II)

Another veteran is Townsend’s FREE ENTERPRISE II, built in The Netherlands.

After a long life on different Channel routes, the small ferry (by today’s standards) was sold in 1982 to Navarma and subsequently left for the Med.

In 2003 she was scrapped in India.

MOBY BLU (built 1965 as FREE ENTERPRISE II)

Another veteran is Townsend’s FREE ENTERPRISE II, built in The Netherlands.

After a long life on different Channel routes, the small ferry (by today’s standards) was sold in 1982 to Navarma and subsequently left for the Med.

In 2003 she was scrapped in India.