BC Ferries Q3 Results for the Fiscal Year Ending 31 March 2020

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  • Number of sailings: 44,000
  • Passengers: 4.8 million (+0.7%)
  • Cars: 2.0 million (+1.6%)
  • Total revenue for Q3 increased by $3.2 million to $210.9 million (+1.5%)
  • Total revenue for Q1+Q2+Q3 increased by $33.4 million to $786.7 million  (+4.4%)
  • The increase in revenue is mainly a result of increased vehicle traffic, retail revenue and the provincial contribution for its portion of the fare initiatives.
  • Operating expenses for Q3 increased by $7.4 million to $205.7 million (+3.7%)
  • Operating expenses for Q1+Q2+Q3 increased by $27.4 million to $646.8 million (+4.4%).

The increase in operating expenses is mainly due to higher labour costs and staffing level changes.

FERRY PORTS

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Some Troubles for Grimaldi and Tirrenia RoRo Ships in Malta 

Earlier this week Maltese chandlers and port workers stopped their operations over coronavirus fears, refusing to board vessels coming from Italy to unload cargo, Malta Today reported.

The local media was informed that port workers were complaining for a lack of medical staff in the area as they handle cargo that was coming from Italian ports. Port workers said they would not handle cargo unless in supervision and after clearance of medical doctors. “The cargo in question concerns retail food and other supplies. Maltese port workers claim they are not convinced with documents showing that the vessels have been given the all-clear” Malta Today reported.

The two vessels in question were the Grimaldi Group-controlled EUROCARGO MALTA and the Tirrenia-operated MARIA GRAZIA ONORATO. Some hours later both vesseld were regularly discharged. They could sail back to the Italian ports of Catania and Genoa.

Big Architectural Project for Historic Tallinn ‘City Hall Property’

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The City of Tallinn has signed an MOU with Tallink Grupp AS and one of Estonia’s largest investment groups and Tallink Grupp’s largest shareholder AS Infortar for the development of the abandoned Tallinn City Hall property into an international conference and concert centre together with an accompanying passenger port, hotel, business centre, restaurants, cafes and other leisure facilities.

An architectural competition will be launched. The estimated construction period of the new centre and adjoining buildings is three years from the point when all the necessary permits have been obtained and all the required contracts have been signed.

Piraeus Port among the Four Best Container Ports in Europe for 2019

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According to a PortEconomics.eu survey, Piraeus port takes the fourth place –in performance- behind Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg.

Piraeus was not even in the top 15 in 2007.

The port of Piraeus presented a percentage increase by 5.1% in relation to 2018 and 315% compared to 2007-2019 period. According to those figures, the port of Valencia is still a “threat” to Piraeus port just as Piraeus is a “threat” to Hamburg port.

The users of Piraeus port facilities estimate that the Greek port will directly threaten both Hamburg and Antwerp provided the development of the fourth pier which is part of the COSCO’s approved master plan by the Hellenic Government. The construction and the completion of that pier spans over a two-year period. Into the game of “dominance” is also involved and the railway as the completion of the infrastructure and the electrification of the Piraeus-Thessaloniki rail axis will give both Piraeus and Thessaloniki the potential for direct competition in the level of Hamburg.

In any case, this year will be of particular interest due to Brexit processes and the streamlining of transshipment while at the Mediterranean front a particularly interesting “naval battle” involving Piraeus, Valencia and Barcelona is on the way.

IN THE MEDIA

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Bay Ferries Service to Resume in June

Bay Ferries says it will launch its Nova Scotia to Maine ferry service by 26 June, according to a schedule posted on the company’s website.

It will serve as the inaugural season for the service to Bar Harbor after there were no commercial crossings between Yarmouth, N.S., and Bar Harbor, Maine, during the 2019 season.

SHORT NEWS

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BLUE STAR PATMOS Sails to Malta for Scrubber

Blue Star Ferries’ BLUE STAR PATMOS is expected to sail for Palumbo shipyards in Malta on Friday or Saturday -this week- for her scrubber conversion (open loop).

The ship has been in Perama repair zone since 4 February 2020, undergoing small-scale works in order to be prepared for the scrubber retrofit. She is also the first ship of the Blue Star Ferries fleet to undergo such conversion. Also, in Malta she will probably undergo her dry docking while she is expected to return back in Greece on 30 March.

  • BC Ferries announced that Jill Sharland has been appointed to the position of Vice President & Chief Financial Officer effective March 2, 2020. Most recently as a CFO in the medical industry, Ms. Sharland also has experience in the aviation and telecommunications industries.
  • Alternative Shipping’s roro vessels HATCHE and QEZBAN are joining Stena Line’s Europoort – Killingholme route. HATCHE is already in service. QEZBAN is on her way from Turkey, with an ETA 3 March.
  • Ro-ro VOLCAN DE TENEGUIA had a fire shortly after leaving Santa Cruz de Tenerife on 22 February. Fire was under control a few hours later. The ship was towed to Santa Cruz.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

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Fred Olsen Express BETANCURIA EXPRESS arrives at Morro Jable, Fuerteventura from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

At Fayard, LIVERPOOL SEAWAYS is being prepared for her new owners, La Meridionale.

Palma de Mallorca

Ferry Shipping News’ Mike Louagie was in Palma de Mallorca with cruise vessel COSTA SMERALDA, and took these pictures from Deck 18 from the mega vessel.

Early morning arrival of Balearia’s LNG-powered HYPATIA DE ALEJANDRIA.

More Balearia with ROSALIND FRANKLIN and ABEL MATUTES.

FORZA passes the famous cathedral on her way out.

More freight leaves the island with CIUDAD DE MAHON.

ABEL MATUTES Is one of Balearia’s ships that was converted into an LNG-powered ferry.