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2024 Newsletter week 11

Mar 22
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DFDS placed an order for yet another 100 Volvo electric trucks which will almost double the number of electric trucks in its fleet.

The new electric trucks will be deployed in markets across Europe to meet the growing customer demand for e-mobility solutions, consolidating DFDS’s green ambitions and further cementing that DFDS has the largest fleet of heavy-duty electric trucks on the continent.

OSK-designed P&O Liberté has begun commercial sailings between Dover and Calais, carrying passenger and freight customers. She is the sister of P&O Pioneer, which entered service on the Channel crossing in June last year as the world’s largest double-ended hybrid ferry.

On March 14, 2024, the takeover of L’Express des Îles by the ferry operator FRS was completed. This marks a significant milestone in FRS’s expansion strategy to diversify its route offering.

Source: FRS

New Zealand – A ministerial briefing says the cancellation of KiwiRail’s mega ferries leads to the possibility the state-owned enterprise may not be best placed to provide an inter-island service in the future.

Officials will investigate how the market might respond to the hypothetical exit of KiwiRail, including whether rival operator Bluebridge could provide more capacity across Cook Strait. They will also look at whether the Government could subsidise ferry operations.

Source: NZHerald

The Supervisory Board of Polish Baltic Shipping Co. wanted to renew the positions of president and member of the company’s management board. After the interviews, it was decided to entrust these functions to Piotr Redmerski (photo) and Artur Krasiński.

This means the return of Piotr Redmerski to the management board of PŻB S.A.

Artur Krasiński makes his debut in the structure of the Kołobrzeg-based shipowner.

Source: Polferries on Linkedin

Liquid Wind, Umeå Energi and Wasaline announce the signing of a Letter of Intent for the sale and purchase of eMethanol from the eFuel facility in Umeå, Sweden.

The companies will explore opportunities to fuel the northernmost shipping line in the world, Wasaline, with eMethanol from FlagshipTHREE in Umeå.

Wasaline’s hybrid ferry, Aurora Botnia, is already equipped with dual-fuel engines and batteries. The company’s goal is to fully decarbonize their ferry operations between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden.

The trend has reversed – Swedes are once again travelling to Denmark.

Following a period marked by a weaker krona and high interest rates, ferry company Stena Line reports a positive new booking trend. During the first quarter of the year, the company noted a significant increase of 25 percent in Swedish bookings to Denmark, and all indications suggest that the recovery will continue.

Isle of Islay, the first of two vessels to serve Islay and Jura, was launched on Saturday 16 March at Cemre shipyard.

The vessel, which is one of four ferries being built at the yard, marks a significant milestone in Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited’s (CMAL) commitment to delivering new ferries to serve the Scottish islands.

Mar 15
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Irish Ferries: record levels of activity and revenue in 2023

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Irish Continental Group (ICG) reported its financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Highlights:

  • Revenue decreased a little (-2.2%) to €572.0 million.
  • EBITDA increase of €5.4 million to €132.6 million principally due to a strong performance in the Ferries Division.
  • Within the Ferries Division, the recovery in passenger markets, the strong position in freight markets and the introduction of duty-free have lifted the Ferries Division to record levels of activity and revenue.
  • Cars +12.6%
  • Passengers +20.2%
  • RoRo freight units +3.9%
  • In May 2023, the Group chartered the Oscar Wilde cruise ferry (ex Tallink Star) for an initial 20 month period with further extension and purchase options. The vessel initially entered service on the Rosslare – Pembroke route, replacing the Blue Star 1. The Group also chartered the Norbay vessel on a short-term basis, replacing the Epsilon which was returned to its owners at the end of its charter.
  • Performance in the Container & Terminal Division has been more challenging.
  • 2023 was another strong year of cash generation for the Group, further strengthening its balance sheet over the period. Cash generated from operations of €136.7 million (2022: €132.0 million) was used to fund strategic capital expenditure of €21.8 million and returns to shareholders of €45.8 million via a combination of dividends and share buybacks. Net debt at year end fell by €27.4 million to €143.7 million (2022: €171.1 million).

Financial Highlights
Irish Continental Group

Financial Highlights
Irish Ferries

Results Presentation
(click on picture)

Preliminary Statement of Results
(click on picture)

Mar 15
1

ONEX – Attica Group agreement for the construction of a car ferry

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It has been reported that during a recent press meeting, Mr. Panos Xenokostas, Chairman and Managing Director of ONEX Group, disclosed that by the end of May, ONEX and Attica Group will finalize a contract for constructing a new 100-meter-long passenger-vehicle ferry at the Elefsina Shipyards. This vessel will possess dual-fuel capabilities, likely running on methanol, and will adhere to the Blue Star philosophy but with a more contemporary and advanced design developed by a Greek firm. This ferry is designated for intra-Cycladic routes and marks the first new vessel to be built in Greek shipyards in 17 years.

Mar 15
1

HSC Highspeed 3 sporting her new Africa Morocco Link livery

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Progress on the HSC Highspeed 3 (formerly known as Boraq) refit at Perama Repair Zone is proceeding rapidly. The ship, acquired through a tender from Moroccan Intershipping on June 27, 2023, arrived in Greece in October of the same year. Since then, it has been undergoing an extensive refit to likely prepare it for a new role, potentially with AML, in the Western Mediterranean.

Belonging to the renowned Austal Auto Express 72 class, the vessel was originally constructed in 2000 for Minoan Flying Dolphins and served in Greek Coastal Shipping until 2010. With a capacity for 700 passengers and 70 cars, it boasts a cruising speed of 35 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Mar 15
1

DFDS February volumes

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Ferry – freight

  • Total volumes in February 2024 were 15.7% above 2023 and up 11.1% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes in 2024 and closure of the Calais-Tilbury route in 2023.
  • The month’s high organic growth reflects to some extent a relatively low activity level in February 2023.
  • North Sea volumes were above 2023 driven mainly by an uplift in volumes between the UK and the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark.
  • Mediterranean volumes were above 2023 as volumes picked up on all routes, especially between southern Türkiye and Italy.
  • Channel volumes were also in February above 2023 driven by the Dover Strait routes as well as higher volumes between Ireland and France.
  • Baltic Sea volumes also continued above 2023 despite reduction of capacity between Estonia and Sweden compared to 2023.
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total transported freight lane metres decreased 4.9% to 39.2m from 41.3m in 2023-22. The decrease was 5.3% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes and the Calais-Tilbury route closure.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers in February 2024 were 69.9% above 2023 and up 16.0% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes.
  • The adjusted increase was driven by more Channel passengers while the number of passengers on other routes were below 2023.
  • The number of cars were 51.3% above 2023 and up 7.2% adjusted for Strait of Gibraltar.
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total number of passengers increased 19.9% to 4.8m compared to 4.0m for 2023-22. The increase was 13.4% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes.
Mar 15
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Trinidad and Tobago is looking for a new RoRo vessel

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The Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT), through the Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) is desirous of procuring a suitable cargo vessel for the inter-island sea bridge.

The MOWT through the National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO) is inviting Respondents with the requisite technical experience and a proven track record of providing similar cargo vessels to submit a proposal for the design and build of a suitable cargo vessel. The Vessel is expected to be delivered by June 2026.

Consult the specifications on the NIDCO website.

Mar 15
1

Stena Line launches newly refurbished ships on North Sea corridor

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Stena Line has revamped its vessels, Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica, on the North Sea route, completing each refurbishment in just 18 days. With a focus on passenger comfort and environmental sustainability, the ships now boast increased seating capacity, new dining and lounge options, and upgraded Wi-Fi. Notably, the hulls were coated with specialized paint, leading to significant fuel savings of approximately 780,000 liters annually per ship and a reduction of about 2,500 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. These upgrades align with Stena Line’s goal to lower CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030.

Source: Stena Line

Group photo: Erik Thulin, Trade Director, Stena Line; Peter Jacobs, Superintendent, Stena Line; Joyce de Bruin, Onboard Commercial Manager, Stena Line; Daniël de Wildt, Chef, Stena Line; Jeffrey van der Zee, Chef, Stena Line; Steven Fearon, Managing Director, Madden Marine; and Alan Robertson, Master, Stena Britannica.

Photographer: Rob van der Voort

Mar 15
1

InvestEU: NIB lends to zero and low carbon vessels with infrastructure in Norway

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NIB (Nordic Investment Bank) signs a 7-year loan to co-finance ferry and express boat operator Norled AS’ investments in zero and low carbon vessels and related land-based infrastructure in Norway during 2024-2030.

The InvestEU programme supports the loan under NIBs Framework Operation Green Mobility and Transport approved by the Investment Committee.

This NOK 500 million (EUR 43.4 million) loan will help Norled finance the extension of its low-carbon fleet. This is NIB’s first InvestEU loan in Norway.

Mar 15
1

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Naviera Armas has announced that the Lanzarote – Huelva route will cease to operate from April 19th. Instead, all operations between the Canaries and mainland Spain will now be focussed on the port of Cadiz, 100 kilometres south of Huelva.

The ferries Ciudad de Valencia, Volcán de Tinamar and Villa de Tazacorte will connect Cadiz with Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and La Palma.

Source: Gazettelife.com

Grimaldi Group’s RoPax Igoumenitsa will be renamed City of Soller when it starts to operate for Trasmed at the beginning of April  on Barcelona – Palma de Mallorca.

Amid Red Sea tensions, AB Maritime set a record by shipping 14,000 containers between Jordan and Egypt in January and February. Egypt’s Ministry of Transport hailed this achievement, marking the company’s highest shipment count since its founding in 1985.

Source: AhramOnline

Ferry fleet ABmaritime: visit the website here

Stena Line is understood to have sold the URD to Åland-based Sea Lines. She is expected to see service on the Black Sea on routes between Turkey and Romania.

On March 15, 2024, the Atlantic Vision embarked on its final sailing for Marine Atlantic, leaving Port aux Basques at 1145am for the last time. Source: Marine Atlantic.

The vessel has been on the long-term bareboat charter since November 14, 2008, servicing both Argentia and Port aux Basques routes.

The ferry, formerly Superfast IX, is owned by a subsidiary of AS Tallink Grupp, Baltic SF IX Limited.

Smyril Line sold the RoRo ships Eystnes (photo) and Hvítanes to Nordwest Ship Management. The vessels will be handed over to the new owner in April 2024.

Eystnes will be renamed Link Aurora and Hvítanes will become Link Polaris.

Stena Line has secured the charter of Bore Song for its new line Birkenhead – Dublin.

The RoRo will be joining Stena Line in mid-April, thereby releasing Stena Horizon and Stena Nordica to their home routes.

The Province of Nova Scotia, along with the federal government and Halifax Regional Municipality, announced a joint investment to build the Mill Cove Ferry Service, which will include five electric ferries, two terminals and a maintenance facility.

Source: Nova Scotia