Gotlandsbolaget has been sold HSC Gotlandia II to Greek owners.
So far, the owners remain unknown. (we presume either Golden Star Ferries or SeaJets, but this will be confirmed soon – follow us on LinkedIn for updates).
“Today will be a historic day, both for Norled and for Norway as a leading shipping nation. Today we are witnessing the world’s first ship sailing on liquid hydrogen, says Heidi Wolden, CEO of Norled.
Since the turn of the year, Norled has been carrying out system tests at the quay in Hjelmeland. In recent weeks, they have been running sea trials and received the final approvals from the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA).
“HYDRA confirms Norway’s world-leading position in the development of new green maritime solutions. By putting the world’s first hydrogen ferry into operation on a Norwegian ferry connection, we are once again showing how purchasing power and good public-private partnerships can be used to develop new and groundbreaking technology. This is important if we are to achieve Norwegian and international targets for substantial emission cuts towards 2030 and 2050. When Norled once again dares to go first, it will be much easier for others to follow in the wake of the HYDRA,” says Ada Jakobsen, CEO of Maritime CleanTech.
See previous summary on Ferry Shipping News.
Click on cover to access results (in Norwegian)
Attica Holdings S.A. acquired roro CLEMENTINE from CldN Ferries NV.
Price: EUR 13.4 million
Built: 1997
Capacity: 2,307 lane meters or 160 trailers + 458 cars
Delivery: summer 2023
| The 6 “Kawasaki’s” | built | Owned by |
| CELESTINE | 1996 | CLdN |
| CLEMENTINE | 1997 | CLdN > Attica |
| MELUSINE | 1999 | CLdN |
| VALENTINE | 1999 | CLdN > KiwiRail 2022 |
| VICTORINE | 2000 | CLdN |
| CELANDINE | 2000 | CLdN |
Torghatten AS announced the appointment of Jan Volsdal (48) as its new CEO.
Volsdal is currently CEO of Nobina Norway, the largest public transport company in the Nordics. He will start no later than 1 October.
Torghatten Group includes three ferry and speedboat companies, operating a critical infrastructure for people along the Norwegian coastline: Torghatten Nord, Torghatten Midt and Bastø-Fosen. (58 ferry routes, with a fleet of 84 vessels)
Jan Volsdal has a successful track record as a manager for Ruter, in the Norwegian bus market. There are many similarities between the bus market and the ferry and express boat market, such as growing demand for green technology and long-term contracts with regional transport companies and other public sector entities.
- Based in Québec, Canada since 1825, Davie is Canada’s largest and highest capacity shipbuilder as well as a partner in the country’s National Shipbuilding Strategy under which it will build a fleet of advanced, fuel-efficient polar icebreakers and hybrid ferries.
- Exercising the option to purchase Helsinki Shipyard Oy does not mean an acquisition is completed. It is subject to financial, regulatory and legal considerations etc.
- Helsinki Shipyard recently delivered a few expedition cruise vessels and before it was the builder of ropax ships for Viking Line, Brittany Ferries and Tallink.
- Davie website
- Helsinki Shipyard Oy press release
In 2024, Gotlandsbolaget, together with subsidiary Destination Gotland, will start to offer cruises, as a complement to existing Gotland ferry traffic.
The Swedish company purchased the passenger-only BIRKA STOCKHOLM from Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö for approximately EUR 38 million.
The vessel will be used in traffic between Stockholm, Mariehamn and Visby (Gotland).
Because of the special status of Mariehamn (Åland), tax free sales will be possible.
A first wave of State aid, worth EUR 161 million, was assigned to several Italian shipowners for building or retrofitting mainly roro and ferry units deployed on the local cabotage market.
Now a second procedure is taking shape with the remaining financial resources (EUR 314 million).
A dedicated division of the Transport Ministry informed the local shipowners’ associations Confitarma and Assarmatory of the imminent possibility to submit offers.
The projects are also valid for vessels calling regularly at least one EURpean port (not necessarily Italian).
The competent ministry is also considering the opportunity to include non-EU builders such as shipyards based in Turkey or in the Mediterranean region.
Overview of the first procedure closed at the end of 2022
A project for a new shipyard based in Italy and active in the field of building small ferries, double-ended ferries and high-speed ships up to 150 metres length is taking shape.
All the units will be hybrid electric but in the long term the idea is to use hydrogen.
Its name is Adriatic Green Shipyard, a dedicated vehicle company has just been created and Stefano Cuppone has been appointed as CEO.
The new shipyard is going to be based in the port of Brindisi, in an area called Capobianco.
The next months will be used to raise capital (up to EUR 170 million) from venture capital, public funds from the Italian EU Next Gen plan and banks.
Starting activities on the first newbuilding is planned not before 2026 and the business plan foresee 15 units delivered before 2032.
On 28 March 2023, Minoan Lines’ cruise ferry KYDON PALACE left the port of Piraeus for the Ionian Sea following her company’s official announcement of February 2023 for her temporary redirection to the Adriatic service due to increased needs.
The ship will serve the Igoumenitsa – Brindisi line from 3 April to 31 October 2023.
Photo: Minoan Lines
