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2024 Newsletter week 21

May 24
2

Sea Lines to launch a two-ferry operation in Black Sea

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Black Sea ferry operator Sea Lines has struck a landmark agreement with DP World.

This partnership will see Sea Lines launching operations from Constanta Port to Turkey’s strategic Karasu Port.

The Aland Island-based ferry company plans to run a daily RoPax service along this route, establishing a crucial trade corridor that links Turkey with Central Europe. This deal promises to enhance connectivity and boost economic ties between the two regions.

This year, Sea Lines is making a multi-million-euro investment in the Constanta-Karasu route with two RoPax ferries.

The first of these vessels, Urd, is set to embark on its maiden journey in July 2024. [URD fact sheet]

DP World, working collaboratively with Sea Lines, has invested in the new RoRo terminal in Constanta, Romania.

Photo: Wikipedia

May 24
2

Echandia: converting ferries from fossil fuel to electric propulsion

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Echandia has secured an order for the delivery of battery systems to a Northern European ferry operator. The order involves converting two RoPax ferries to pure electric propulsion and is Echandia’s largest to date, both in terms of value and system size. Delivery is planned for the second half of 2025.

Earlier this month, Echandia was contracted by Öresundslinjen to provide a battery system for the conversion of Hamlet from fossil fuel to full electrical operation.

Read the news release

May 24
2

Scandlines selects supplier for electrification of Fehmarn Belt link

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Scandlines has taken a significant step towards electrifying its Puttgarden-Rødby ferry route by signing a contract with Wärtsilä on April 25, 2024. Wärtsilä will supply the electrical systems that will allow electricity to cover about 80% of the energy needed for each crossing.

This project is part of Scandlines’ larger plan, announced in late 2023, to convert two of its four ferries on this route to plug-in hybrid models. The goal is to operate the route without direct emissions by 2030 and to achieve zero direct emissions by 2040.

After a competitive tender, Scandlines selected Wärtsilä due to its extensive experience with hybrid ship retrofits, having completed numerous projects since 2012. Wärtsilä will not only supply the systems but also supervise their installation and commissioning.

The ferry conversions, set to begin in the second half of 2025, will involve replacing a diesel generator with a 5 MWh energy storage system.

Photo Matthias Tasler/Scandlines

May 24
2

Molo Beverello short sea terminal in Naples awarded to a group of ferry companies

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A pool of ferry companies will manage the Molo Beverello terminal in Naples

A group of ferry companies made up by Caremar, Snav, Navigazione Libera del Golfo e Alilauro has been awarded the management of the renovated Molo Beverello, the short sea terminal for the maritime links to and from the port of Naples.

A purpose-built public tender was lunched by the local port authority few months ago.

The new ferry terminal will be active for the next summer season but some works and services still need to be completed mainly for welcoming passengers and for the automated ticket offices.

May 24
2

Asterion II on the North Aegean – Dodekanese route

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It is reported that Superfast Ferries will reassign RoPax Asterion II on the Piraeus – Samos – Dodecanese and Piraeus – Chios – Mytilene route from June 3 to September 9, 2024.

More specifically, the ship will operate every Sunday afternoon on the Piraeus – Samos (Vathi) – Patmos -Leros – Kos – Symi – Rodos route, while the other days of the week she will serve on the Piraeus – Chios – Mytilene line.

Also, every weekend she will perform two sailings vice versa on the above North Aegean Line.

Asterion II is currently operating on the Piraeus-Heraklion line, replacing Kriti II.

Photo: Dimitris Mendakis

May 24
2

ICS Chairman Emanuele Grimaldi honoured at ESG Shipping Awards

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International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Chairman and Managing Director of Grimaldi Group, Emanuele Grimaldi, was awarded the Honorary Recognition Award at the ESG Shipping Awards in recognition of his significant contribution to the global maritime industry.

The second annual awards ceremony took place at the Grand Hyatt in Athens on the 20 May.

The ESG Shipping Awards were established to celebrate the efforts and achievements of companies in the shipping industry worldwide that exhibit remarkable commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. Organised by the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and the Greek Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, the Awards aim to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration within the maritime industry while promoting ethical, socially and environmentally conscious decision-making.

Emanuele Grimaldi said: “Prioritising ESG factors just makes good business sense…We are all on a journey and I believe we are heading in the right direction. For our next steps we must remember that ESG is going to be an important part of this journey too. In light of the good work already underway, we should be more vocal about what we are already doing. Our proactivity should not go unnoticed. We need to be louder about the hard work already underway. We do take commitments to environment, social and governance seriously and work is taking place to build on this”.

May 24
2

Gotlandsbolaget Quarterly report January-March 2024

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  • Revenue and Costs: Revenue for Q1 2024 was 384.9 MSEK, up from 362.9 MSEK in Q1 2023. Costs were 419.6 MSEK, a slight decrease from 425.8 MSEK last year.
  • Adjusted Operating Result: The adjusted operating result was -66.7 MSEK, compared to -62.9 MSEK last year, impacted by costs from the new cruise initiative.
  • Significant Events:
    • A bid was submitted for Gotlandstrafiken 2027-2035.
    • The first cruise of M/S Birka Gotland took place in March.
    • A partnership was formed to develop a high-speed catamaran.
  • Future Focus: Emphasis on expanding passenger shipping, real estate, and energy developments.

Source: Gotlandsbolaget (in Swedish)

May 24
2

Port of Antwerp Bruges’ quarterly figures reflect resilience

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The total cargo throughput of Port of Antwerp-Bruges amounted to 70.4 million tonnes in the first quarter of this year, a rise of 2.4% compared to the same period last year. In an ongoing complex geopolitical and macroeconomic context, this performance, driven by a return to growth in container throughput, underscores the port’s resilience.

Roll-on/roll-off traffic decreased by 6.9%.

The ongoing congestion at RoRo terminals resulted in a decrease in throughput of all transport equipment (-9%). This is mainly due to lower throughput of used cars (-52.5%), as well as high & heavy (-25%), trucks (-23.9%) and new cars (-5.5%).

Throughput of unaccompanied cargo (excluding containers) carried on RoRo vessels grew by 1.7%. The decline in throughput to and from the United Kingdom (-4.4%) was offset by an increase in throughput to and from Spain and Portugal (+31.5%), Ireland (+6.4%) and Scandinavia (+13.5%).

Read the full report by clicking on the graph.

May 24
1

IMAGE CARDS

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Last week, the Tasmanian government confirmed that Spirit operator, TT-Line, had agreed in March to pay an additional $81 million to Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions, after cost blowout.

This week, it was confirmed the Finnish government had committed to match this amount — and also to underwrite the future financial viability of RMC.

In return, TT-Line removed a key clause from the contract: RMC would no longer have to pay late fees.

Read the full article on ABC.net.au

Photo: RMC

Peel Ports announced plans to explore the first green shipping corridor between the UK and Ireland through a partnership with NatPower Marine. The proposals involve over £100m investment in charging infrastructure for electric vessels, cars, vans, and HGVs at UK and Ireland ports. The initial routes identified are Belfast-Heysham and Dublin-Birkenhead.