Dumfries and Galloway Council has voted to exclude P&O Ferries’ continuing participation in a potential partnership bid for a Green Freeport at Cairnryan. The council said the ferry firm had “no place” in its plans, after the company sacked 800 staff.
Dumfries and Galloway Council is looking at creating a Green Freeport at Cairnryan, which would have special tax and customs rules. [BBC, 19 August 2021]
Current operators are Stena Line and P&O Ferries.
The new building will be the final stage in the multi-million-pound upgrade project at Tarbert Ferry Terminal, which recently saw the completion of the new pier and increased marshalling area.
Work to build the new terminal building will begin in spring 2022 and is anticipated to take a year to complete. The new pier is already in use by CalMac, and the upgraded marshalling area has increased vehicle capacity.
CMAL is delivering significant vessel and harbour investment, backed by a £580 million commitment from the Scottish Government for an initial five-year period from 2021 to 2026. Plans will deliver 21 new vessels for the fleet and multi-million-pound upgrade of harbour infrastructure over the next 10 years. More information is online at www.cmassets.co.uk/investment
The global marine battery market size was valued at US$ 0.37 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 1.99 billion in 2030 registering a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 20.5%.
Key drivers of the marine battery market include the rapid expansion and penetration of marine freight transport vessels and rising leisure activities related to water sports.
Further, the boom in usage of lithium-ion batteries in marine vessels and their various benefits over lead-acid batteries is expected to propel the growth of the marine battery market during the forecast period.
On the other hand, the hassles related to the proper maintenance of batteries will restrict the market growth. However, the growing acceptance of hybrid and electric vessels for eco-friendly transportation will accelerate the market in the coming years.
The world’s largest hybrid ferry will be powered by a Leclanché liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery system manufactured at Leclanché’s European factories.
Leclanché’s Marine Rack System will incorporate the latest fast-charging 65Ah high cycle battery cells with a 10-year lifespan.
Announced in November 2021, Scandlines ‘ zero-emissions ferry project will be powered by an advanced 10MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) from Leclanché.
Leclanché is among a number of companies selected to provide key components, systems and expertise, including Norwegian companies Kongsberg Maritime and Norwegian Electric Systems (NES).
The ferry was designed by LMG Marin AS, Norway and will be built at Cemre shipyard in Turkey.
Scandlines zero-emission freight ferry will be 147.4 meters long. The cargo capacity of the double-ended ferry will be 66 cargo units and carry a maximum of 140 passengers at a speed of 10 knots.
As a hybrid ferry, the crossing time between the two ports will be 45 minutes. In purely electric operation, the crossing time is 70 minutes and the ferry is emission-free.
Marsa Maroc has planned the installation of two new Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridges (SPBBs) in the port of Nador.
The investment fits in the redevelopment project of the Nador ferry terminal, launched by the National Ports Agency of Morocco.
ADELTE will design, manufacture and deliver two HYDRA boarding bridges in early 2023.
Veteran roro ship GIUSEPPE SA is going to be revitalized after being idle for the last year in the port of Piombino.
The 1975-built ship, up to date owned by MOBY, has just been sold at auction to undisclosed buyers for EUR 4.6 million, a final price much higher than the initial tender value of EUR 1.56 million.
The sale at auction was disposed by the Court of Milan and it’s part of the debt restructuring process involving Vincenzo Onorato-controlled group.
Looking at the age the roro vessel in question was expected to be bought for scrap but instead it seems now that will restart operating with its capacity to accommodate up to 376 passengers and 103 trailers.
Italy’s classification society Rina and shipbuilder Fincantieri have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop synergies in the field of decarbonisation, with a focus on alternative fuels, carbon capture and renewable energies in the shipping sector.
The agreement sees the involvement of the two companies in initiatives related to technology scouting, the analysis, study and simulation of new fuels and energy vectors – in particular hydrogen and ammonia – and carbon capture.
RINA and Fincantieri will also co-participate in EU-financed R&D projects and engage in the development of “green finance”.
The German propulsion expert Schottel and elkon, the Turkish specialist for marine electrical system integration, will operate as partners in the maritime market in the future.
The corresponding contract for the purchase of the majority stake in elkon by the holding company Schottel Industries GmbH has now been signed in Istanbul, Turkey, and announced at Nor-Shipping.
The newly established Horizon Sea Lines is the buyer of Acciona’s HSC ALMUDAINA DOS (1997). The ship (former SUPERSEACAT ONE) was purchased for EUR 4.8 million and will fly the flag of Cyprus. She is expected to arrive in Greece mid April and will be renamed SANTA IRINI.
The monohull will undergo a small refit and will then be chartered to the Cretan Transportation Services (CTRS) for daily service on the Heraklion – Santorini line.
The charter company is a subsidiary of the KTEL Heraklion-Lassithi S.A (Bus Company).
Photo: Minas Akepsimaidis
SUPER STAR, ex PRINCE LAURENT, SUPERFERRY II, is coming back on her old service in Cyclades.
Under Seajets ownership she will serve daily on the Rafina – Andros – Tinos – Mykonos – Paros line from April 8.
The legendary vessel will sail every afternoon from the port of Rafina at 16.45. She was sold last April from Golden Star Ferries and serves the specific line since January 1993 under Strintzis Lines and Blue Star Ferries livery.
Photo: Spyros Roussos
