PowerCell has delivered a MS-30 fuel cell system to the Italian ship building company Fincantieri. The MS-30 will be used for tests of electrification of drive and power generating systems using fuel cells.
Cyprus-Greece Passenger Ferry Still a Long Way to Go
The government’s proposal to re-establish a long-defunct car and passenger ferry service to Greece from Cyprus by the summer of 2020 is being implemented step by step, but there is still a long way to go, Phileleftheros reports citing insiders.
- “We sail in a constant fog,” says Brittany Ferries president Jean-Marc Roué, pointing towards the uncertainty after 31 December 2020.
- Bookings are down 5%. Customers on both sides of the Channel are hesitant.
- The Brittany Ferries plan to build a direct replacement for BRETAGNE is definitely remaining on hold.
Several Russian media report that the basis for a new ferry company has been laid. Baltic Passenger Lines LLC (BPL) was registered with a registered capital of 97 million rubles. The intention is to search for a secondhand vessel, which will be operated while waiting for a newbuilding.
A State subsidy allowed former SNCM to operate two ropax ferries on Marseille – Ajaccio in the high season. This created an unfair competition with Corsica Ferries.
The ‘Collectivité territoriale de Corse (CTC)’ should have reclaimed €220 million from SNCM, which were paid as a subsidy for a service which was not supposed to be subsidised. CTC did not recover this money.
Decision expected in March.
Residents of Saaremaa and the Laaneranna municipality on Estonia’s mainland are in favor of a road link, such as a bridge or a tunnel between the mainland and the island of Muhu, while Muhu residents are opposed, a survey commissioned by the Estonian Road Administration shows.
Ten of Alaska’s 11 ferries are currently in layup or unable to sail. Hundreds of people attended protests across Alaska calling for the state’s ferry service to be restored.
Roro C.T.M.A. VOYAGEUR Purchased by a Greek Interests Company
According to a Canadian article, the small roro C.T.M.A. VOYAGEUR [link MarineTraffic] is claimed to have been sold to a Greek interest operator for less than CAD 500k.
The ship has been laid up in Montreal since 5 September 2019 and was replaced by the larger and newer CTMA VOYAGEUR II (former CLIPPER RANGER) on the Montreal – Cap-aux-Meules and Matane – Cap-aux-Meules lines.
Information in Greece said that Ainaftis Shipping Co (Kallimasias), which mainly serves the North Aegean, is probably her mysterious buyer.
Photo: Steve Geronazzo (Marine Traffic)
Minoan Lines’ FESTOS PALACE Renamed KYDON PALACE
Eventually, Minoan Lines’ new restructuring plan in Crete is coming into force.
FESTOS PALACE has been renamed KYDON PALACE and from 17 February 2020 she will be introduced on the Piraeus – Chania line.
The rest of this ambitious plan is that KNOSSOS PALACE will be introduced -under the Grimaldi colours- on the Civitavecchia – Olbia line.
CRUISE BONARIA (ex. OLYMPIA PALACE) will be renamed either FESTOS or KNOSSOS PALACE, sport the Minoan Lines livery and serve the Piraeus – Heraklion run along with her sister MYKONOS PALACE, which will be renamed FESTOS or KNOSSOS PALACE.
That fleet reshuffling at Heraklion port mainly reveals Minoan Lines intention to offer more lane meters and less hotel services as the twins that are going to replace the classic Heraklion pair offer more freight space and less interior amenities.
About Last Week in Italy
Last week I was in Civitavecchia and Livorno on two different cruise assignments. These jobs are always good to combine with ferry photography. Especially with ISPS it has been increasingly difficult to see and photograph ferries. A cruise ship is a nice alternative.
Let’s start with Civitavecchia. The pictures shows (from left to right) CRUISE BARCELONA, MOBY DADA and MOBY TOMMY.
Don’t you expect a cappuccino in Italy? No, it was CAPUCINE showing up. This CLdN vessel has been chartered by the Italian MoD.
A fantastic sunrise asks for a FANTASTIC ship, like the one from GNV.
I visited Livorno with SEVEN SEAS SPLENDOR on Tuesday 4 February 2020.
The first ferry I saw leaving was the ELIANA MARINO. Only later on I realised she was the former PORTO EXPRESS / LOUISE RUSS.
Although the sky was blue the weather was extremely windy. After a while all ferries in and out needed tugs.
Low season means a few ferries are not in service or are in reduced service. Some are in Livorno for maintenance.
Moby is currently not covering the connection between Santa Teresa di Gallura, in Sardinia, and Bonifacio, in Corsica, after the ferry GIRAGLIA grounded and suffered an 8-metre hole in hull. Moby is now looking to charter a small ferry. It is likely that the sistership BASTIA (currently in dry dock in Livorno, see on the picture on the right) will be deployed on the line as soon as possible.
