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2024 Newsletter week 13

Mar 29
1

Finnlines Annual Report 2023

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Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman of the Finnlines Board, stresses the urgency of addressing climate change and calls for collaboration among stakeholders to achieve decarbonization goals. This includes investing in green technology, developing new fuels, and adapting to changes in vessel design and operation. Financial resources are crucial to fund these initiatives, with significant investments needed in production facilities, fuel supply infrastructure, and engine technology.

Mr Grimaldi says that as the shipping industry moves towards greener fuels and technologies, it’s imperative to not only strategize for the environmental transition but also to consider the transition for seafarers. With the adoption of new fuels, vessels will be designed differently, posing challenges for seafarers accustomed to conventional ship designs. Furthermore, seafarers may require retraining to effectively navigate digitalization and other technological innovations accompanying these changes. Thus, ensuring that seafarers are adequately prepared for these shifts is crucial for the successful implementation of sustainable practices in the shipping sector.

A couple of weeks ago, Ferry Shipping News published Finnlines’ Financial review January–December 2023.

Now the Annual report 2023 is out. Click on the cover below to directly access the Finnlines web page.

Mar 29
1

Monthly figures Corsica

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ORTC (Corsica Transport Office) published the monthly traffic statistics.

January February
Passengers Airport 158,010 (+7.4%) 144,841 (+2.1%)
Passengers Ferry 86,610 (+4.4%) 75,316 (-13.1%)
Passenger Cars 36,251 (+0.7%) 32,310 (-10.7%)
Freight (tons) 147,392 (+4.8%) 162,615 (+26.2%)

The monthly reports can be downloaded here (in French)

Mar 29
1

Norwegian ferry ready for Canadian service

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Fiskerstrand Shipyard has successfully completed a ferry project. Former ferry Kvernsund has been prepared for its new life in Canada as Astron W for the shipping company Labrador Marine Inc.

Extension by 8.4 m, ice reinforced hull, new propulsion system, hybrid battery system, new interior, adaptations to Canadian ferry terminals, are some of the works that have been done.

The ship is on her way to Canada and arrived in our home port of Ijmuiden on March 27.

Source photo: https://www.facebook.com/fiskerstrandverft

Mar 29
1

French Secretary of State signs social law

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On Tuesday 19 March 2024, the decree implementing the law against cross-Channel social dumping was signed by the French Secretary of State for the Sea, Hervé Berville. All companies operating between Great Britain and France must now comply with French labour law. Operators affected by the move point out that this goes against international norms which they fully comply with.

Source (in French): decree

Mar 29
1

RoRo Blue Carrier 2 entered service on March 22

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The latest addition to the Blue Star Ferries fleet, the RoRo Blue Carrier 2 (formerly known as Clementine), joined Hellenic Coastal Shipping on March 22. The vessel embarked on her maiden voyage on the Piraeus-Samos (Vathi)-Kos-Rodos line, becoming the second RoRo vessel in the Blue Star Ferries fleet.

Purchased in July 2023, she remained chartered until the end of December 2023. Built in Japan (Kawasaki) in 1998, she boasts a carrying capacity for 170 unaccompanied trucks and 458 private cars (2,307 lane meters), with a cruising speed of 17 knots.

Photo: Attica Group

Mar 29
1

SETE’s report about the Passenger Coastal Shipping traffic in Greece 2023

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According to the recent report of the Institute of SETE-INSETE (non-profit organization) the passenger shipping traffic in Greece for 2023 formed as follows:

  • In the Adriatic market, passenger traffic is estimated to have increased by 11.6% in 2023 compared to 2022, while the estimate for the number of passengers was 1.3 million compared to 1.2 million in 2022
Quarters Passengers % Percentage
2023 2022 2023-2022
Α 167.675 131.968 27,1%
Β 312.452 253.841 23,1%
C 659.153 621.836 6,0%
D 211.381 202.266 4,5%
Total 1.350.661 1.209.911 11,6%

Source: SEEN

  • Domestic passenger traffic is estimated to have increased by 6.7% in 2023 compared to 2022, while the estimate for the number of passengers amounts to 18.7 million compared to 17.5 million in 2022
Quarters Passengers % Percentage
2023 2022 2023-2022
Α 1.672.061 1.348.530 24%
Β 4.647.594 4.503.072 3,2%
C 9.811.597 9.344.378 5,0%
D 2.562.663 2.329.694 10,0%
Total 18.693.915 17.525.674 6,7%

Source: SEEN

Mar 29
1

IMT Terminal in Genoa awarded a three-year contract for Renault/Dacia new vehicles

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IMT – Intermodal Marine Terminal, company part of Ignazio Messina & C. managing a multipurpose terminal in the port of Genoa, announced to have been selected “to oversee the management of Renault/Dacia flows for the next three years, building upon our strong relationship established since the second half of 2023”.

In a posted message the terminal added: “Following the awarding of the Global Tender launched by Renault Group, Neptune Lines has entrusted us with this significant responsibility. We’re honoured by the trust they’ve placed in us! In addition, we’re delighted to confirm that Genoa port will now be included in Neptune Lines’ regular schedule, facilitating the discharge of approximately 20,000 cars per year.”

The new vehicles are produced in Morocco and shipped to Italy from the port of Tanger Med.

Mar 29
1

RoPax Igoumenitsa renamed Ciudad de Sòller and transferred to Trasmed GLE

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The 1999-built Igoumenitsa has just been transferred from Grimaldi Euromed to Trasmed GLE’s fleet and renamed Ciudad de Sóller.

“Due to legal issues related to the administrative deadlines of the Italian legislation, the Ciudad de Sóller will carry the Italian flag and crew during the first two months of service, until the end of May approximately, when it will fly the Spanish flag and will be positioned on the Palma – Barcelona route” the Spanish ferry company stated.

This vessel (440 passengers and 3,000 lane metres capacity) will replace the Ciudad de Alcudia recently dismissed by Grimaldi Group.

Mar 29
2

Second HSC hybrid fast ferry for Liberty Lines launched at Armon in Spain

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HSC CRISTINA M, sister ship of the VITTORIO MORACE, has been launched at the Astilleros Armon shipyard in Navia, Spain, for Liberty Lines.

With a length of 39.5 meters and a capacity of 251 passengers, is the second HSC hybrid fast unit under construction.

It is equipped with two MTU-Rolls Royce hybrid engines, allowing it to operate entirely in electric mode within ports before recharging the batteries while sailing at 30 knots in open sea.

It is the second of the 12 innovative fast hybrid ships that will join the fleet by 2026 and 2027.

The delivery of the newly built VITTORIO MORACE and CRISTINA M is expected to take shape in May this year.

Mar 29
1

IMAGE CARDS

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“Condor Ferries is promising passengers and companies a better deal as it announces ‘a new era’ in its 60th anniversary year serving the islands,” writes Guernsey Press.

Brittany Ferries has pledged to become more actively involved in Condor’s day-to-day operations. Christophe Mathieu, interim CEO of Condor and CEO of Brittany Ferries, emphasized this shift in approach, stating that they are committed to strengthening the long-term sea links between the island and the UK and France. Mathieu expressed openness to increasing Brittany Ferries’ shareholding in Condor if the majority owner, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, decides to sell. This signals a new era of partnership aimed at lasting indefinitely.

Barfleur (photo) did some berthing trials in Jersey on 26th of March.

Plans to build the Isles of Scilly’s two new ferries in Asia have been described as “an absolute scandal”.

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group awarded the £42m contract to Piriou, a French shipbuilder, which said it would build the ferries in Vietnam.

The workers’ trade union, GMB Union, said that shipbuilders in the UK have been “hugely let down” by the ISSG’s decision.

Harland and Wolff, which owns Appledore shipyard in Devon, was shortlisted but not chosen.

Source: BBC

On March 23, 2024, in Brest, Brittany Ferries marked a significant event with the blessing and christening of the RoPax ferry Santoña. The ceremony was conducted by Christian Bernard, the Episcopal Vicar for the Diocese of Quimper et Léon. Following the blessing, the age-old tradition of christening was observed, with the ferry’s godmother, Mrs. Marie-Hélène Roué, breaking a bottle of Champagne over the vessel’s bow.

Photo: Jess Breheret

Baleària will invest 3.2 million euros in the RoPax Passió per Formentera in order to guarantee greater comfort, reliability and sustainability in the connections made by the company on the public interest line between Ceuta and Algeciras. These works, both propulsion and interior fittings, will be carried out during the ship’s docking at the Guadalquivir shipyard in Seville starting this coming Sunday, March 31, and until the end of April.

Bahama Mama ship will cover the route during her absence.

Source: Baleària (in Spanish)

Marine Atlantic’s Atlantic Vision is preparing to return to Europe after she left the fleet. Owned by a company related to Tallink Grupp, she has been reflagged to Cyprus. A crew from one of the Stena companies is onboard, but, so far, we don’t know her future.

Photo: Marine Atlantic

Since March 24, 2024, Superfast Ferries’ RoPax Ariadne is on short-term charter to Algerie Ferries for service on the long Alger-Marseille line. The Japanese-built vessel will temporarily assist El Djazair II until the return of the larger BADJI MOKHTAR III, which is currently undergoing refitting at Elefsis Shipyards (Greece) until the end of April.

Photo: Attica Group