DFDS monthly: Passengers and Mediterranean freight volumes up in June

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Ferry – freight:

  • Total volumes in June 2022 were 3.6% below 2021.
  • North Sea volumes were below 2021 on both UK routes and routes between Sweden and the Continent.
  • Volumes in the Mediterranean network continued to grow supported by higher capacity.
  • Channel’s volumes were below 2021 due to a decrease in the total market. Market share was upheld just below last year.
  • The war in Ukraine lowered Baltic Sea volumes between mainly Germany and Lithuania compared to 2021.
  • For the last twelve months 2022-21, the total transported freight lane metres increased 0.2% to 43.8m from 43.7m in 2021-20.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers increased eightfold to 352k equal to 75% of volumes in June 2019, the latest comparable month pre-Covid-19.
  • Transport segments continued to recover faster than leisure segments as the number of cars equalled 89% of volumes in 2019.
  • For the last twelve months 2022-21, the total number of passengers was 1.9m compared to 1.0m in 2021-20 and 5.1m in 2019.

Scandlines H1: about challenges and ambitions

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Scandlines’ business during the first half of 2022 was affected by the corona pandemic and the economic consequences of Russia’s war.

Initially, the company focused on ensuring that the increasing volume of freight was handled smoothly. In the long term, Scandlines is pursuing its ambitious goal of emission-free ferry operations.

There are very positive developments for the first half of 2022:

  • Volumes are significantly higher than the figures from 2021 and have almost reached the level of 2019.
  • The booking situation for the main season creates confidence.
  • On the Rostock-Gedser route, the traffic volume for cars has increased significantly.
  • +11% freight compared to last year.

Scandlines continues to work at full speed on its ambitious goal of zero-emission ferry operations.

  • In March, the first steel plates for the new zero-emission ferry PR24 were cut at the Cemre shipyard.
  • PR24 is being built for freight transport on the Puttgarden-Rødby route and is scheduled to go into operation in 2024.
  • In May, a rotor sail was installed on ropax BERLIN.
  • Scandlines’ first major goal is that operations on the Puttgarden-Rødby route should be emission-free by 2030. There are 32,000 round-the-clock crossings a year on this route.
  • The second major goal is that ferry operations on both Scandlines routes, as well as the entire company, should be free of direct emissions by 2040.
  • With these two specific goals, Scandines commit themselves to go well beyond the requirements of the Paris climate agreement.

Welcome STENA EBBA, the newest addition to Stena Line´s Baltic Sea E-Flexers

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Stena Line introduces the second of the two large E-Flexer class vessels to be deployed on the route Karlskrona-Gdynia: In December 2022, the brand new STENA EBBA will join her sister STENA ESTELLE, which will connect Southern Sweden and Poland from August onwards.

The twin ferries are the two largest of the E-Flexer class of Stena Line and have an increased capacity of 50% more cabins, 30% more passengers and 15% more cargo vs existing E-Flexer vessels.

Port of Dover introduces new measures to get summer holidays off to the best start

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The Port of Dover is expanding interim border control infrastructure, improving traffic systems and issuing fresh traveller guidance ahead of the busy summer travel season, which is expected to return to pre-pandemic volumes this year.

  • To help keep waiting times to a minimum, the Port is installing 50% more booths for use by French border control to enable greater passenger throughput, with installation to be completed before the key summer getaway weekend of 22-24 July.
  • Internal traffic routes around the Port have been repositioned to improve vehicle flows and give more flexibility in managing busy periods.
  • The Port’s expanded team of Passenger Champions will be mingling with customers on-site to provide help and information.
  • Welfare provisions such as toilet facilities and a new refreshment stand will be available ahead of border controls, subject to opening times

The Port of Dover strongly recommends the following to all passengers:

  • As the UK is no longer part of the European Union, holidaymakers are subject to enhanced checks at the border, and passengers are advised to expect average wait times of around 60-90 minutes for French border controls at the Port during peak periods.
  • Confirm ticket availability or book tickets prior to travelling to the port.
  • Before setting off, visit your ferry operator’s website for updates.
  • Read Kent County Council’s ‘check before you travel’ guide, to be fully prepared for your journey.
  • Allow plenty of time for your journey, and arrive only for your allotted sailing.
  • Bring adequate supplies, including food and water, in case of delays.
  • Travel via main routes only, to avoid causing traffic delays for yourself and local residents.
  • Have your documents ready to show at French border controls and check-in booths. These include passports, vaccination certificates or Covid test results, if applicable. This will ensure the quickest possible transit and reduce the queuing time for other vehicles.

Port of Rostock confirms the record result of the previous half year

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The volume of goods in the entire Rostock port area remained at the record level of 15.2 million tons of previous half year.

The number of ferry passengers reached 953,000 and is back to the pre-corona level.

The Rostock overseas port recorded 2,921 calls (2021: 2,801) by ferries and roro ships.

+7% accompanied trucks (218,000) were transported on the four ferry and three roro connections to and from Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

+6% unaccompanied units also increased: 88,250 trailers.

Investments in infrastructure

  • The replacement construction of the two oldest berths in Rostock overseas port, 31 and 32, was officially started in April 2022.
  • New construction of the east-west road
  • New construction of the A 19 federal autobahn junction
  • Production plant for hydrogen will be built in Rostock overseas port by 2026

Attica: Completion of the €21 million investment for the Argosaronic routes

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The freshly delivered AERO 3 HIGHSPEED concludes the order of three Aero Catamarans placed in January 2021, which starting from early August will be deployed in the Saronic islands offering up to 17 daily routes from Piraeus to the islands of Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, as well as to Ermioni and Porto Heli, in replacement of existing Group capacity in the market.

Cretan Cargo Lines’ small roro under conversion

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The extensive conversion of the Cretan Cargo Lines’ latest acquisition, ORCADIA (former SATURN) is in full progress. The small vessel is currently having her stern remodelled at the Spanopoulos Shipyards, in order to accommodate more freight.

She was purchased at the end of 2021 and arrived in Greece on December 5, 2021. She is expected to join Cretan Cargo’s fleet on the domestic ferry market.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos