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2024 Newsletter week 34

Aug 24
2

Rederi AB Eckerö H1: All-time high cargo and passenger volumes during the period March to June 

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Key points summarising the first six months of 2024: 

  • Passenger and Cargo Records: The period from March to June 2024 saw all-time high cargo and passenger volumes, with March and June setting new records for the Finland-Estonia route. 
  • Impact of Dockings: The docking of FINLANDIA and ECKERÖ at the beginning of the year led to a 6% reduction in departures, contributing to a 6% decrease in total passenger numbers compared to the first half of 2023. 
  • Cargo Growth: Despite fewer departures, cargo volumes grew by 3% compared to the first half of 2023, with a 9% increase in cargo units transported per departure. 
  • Revenue Decline: Sales for the first half of 2024 were 99.5 million EUR, a 3% decrease from the same period in 2023, mainly due to the reduced number of departures. However, sales per passenger increased by 4%. 
  • Profit Margins and Operating Result: The operating result was 2.7 million EUR, down from 6.5 million EUR in the previous year. Adjusted for vessel sales, the operating result was negative at -0.5 million EUR. 
  • Fleet Updates: The company sold SHIPPER in January 2024 for 4.5 million EUR, resulting in a pre-tax profit of 3.2 million EUR. 
  • Market Share: The company’s passenger market share on the Finland-Estonia route decreased slightly to 27%, while the cargo market share remained steady at 36%. The Åland-Sweden route maintained a dominant passenger market share of over 80%. 
  • Fuel Efficiency Gains: The docking and maintenance of FINLANDIA led to a significant improvement in fuel efficiency, with a 12% reduction in fuel consumption compared to the first half of 2023. 
  • Financial Position: Net debt was reduced to 5.5 million EUR by the end of June 2024, down from 10 million EUR at the end of June 2023, while the equity ratio improved to 50.1%. 
  • Outlook: The company reported a strong start to the third quarter, with record cargo and passenger volumes in July, but noted ongoing geopolitical instability as a potential risk factor for the remainder of the year. 

Source: Rederi AB Eckerö PDF 

Photo: Eckerö – Kaupokalda.com  

Aug 24
2

Q2/H1 Results Gotlandsbolaget

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  • Revenue and Profitability: Revenue for January-June 2024 increased to 989.0 MSEK, with a reduced operating loss of -39.4 MSEK, driven by stronger results in Gotlandstrafiken. (but also negatively affected by establishment costs from the share in Gotland Alandia Cruises). 
  • Strategic Expansion: Gotlandsbolaget acquired DFDS’s Oslo-Copenhagen route, including two cruise ferries and 800 employees, aligning with their growth strategy in passenger shipping. 
  • Operational Highlights: Renewal of the Gotlandstrafiken contract for 2027-2035, with an option for two more years. 
  • Future Outlook: Focus on expanding on-land operations on Gotland and enhancing energy and technology initiatives. 

At the end of June, Gotlandsbolaget secured the contract to operate Gotlandstrafiken from 2027 to 2035, with an option for a two-year extension. The bid, which was competitive across the EU, is based on using a Swedish flag, Swedish crew, and Swedish agreements, with financial and strategic management handled by a Danish subsidiary. If Sweden updates its tonnage tax system, Gotlandsbolaget plans to shift full management responsibilities back to Gotland, pending a government decision by 2025. 

Source: Gotlandsbolaget (in Swedish) 

Aug 24
2

AdonisHR merges with Ripple Operations to Create the Leading Crew Success Platform

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Ripple Operations has recently acquired AdonisHR through a strategic partnership with Bleecker Street Group, a global technology holding company.  

Here’s what this means for the customers: 

  • Expanded Solutions and Services: By joining forces with Ripple Operations, AdonisHR is now able to offer a more comprehensive suite of software solutions focused on enhancing crew performance, safety, and operational efficiency.  
  • Accelerated Innovation: With the backing of Bleecker Street Group and Ripple Operations’ extensive resources, AdonisHR is poised to accelerate the development of products and services. This means staying ahead of industry trends and providing solutions that meet the evolving needs of the maritime sector. 
  • Global Reach and Support: Ripple Operations’ global platform and expertise will enable  to expand the reach, offering stronger support and more relevant solutions to maritime organizations worldwide. 
  • Leadership Excellence: Heather Combs will be the new CEO of AdonisHR through Ripple Operations. Heather brings extensive experience in driving strategic growth within the tech sector. Her leadership will be instrumental in pushing the boundaries of crew management and setting new industry standards. 
  • Next-Level Training Solutions: As part of this integration, AdonisHR is transitioning its Adonis LMS module to Ripple Operations MLS, a cutting-edge learning management system specifically designed for the maritime industry.  
Aug 24
2

Finnlines will open a route from Turku to Rostock

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With this route, new opportunities will arise for Finnish companies’ imports and exports. 

The schedule of FINNPULP, which operates the Turku–Travemünde–Rostock line, is well-suited for export and import shipments between Finland and Germany. In Travemünde, the vessel will load at 13:00 on Sunday, and in Rostock at 23:00, after which it will depart for Finland, arriving in Turku at 9:00 on Tuesday. The return journey to Germany will start on Friday at 20:00. The vessel will arrive in Travemünde at 7:00 on Sunday and in Rostock at 17:00. 

The first departure under the new route will be from Germany on Sunday, August 25. 

Source: Port of Turku 

Aug 24
2

Zeabuz has signed an LOI with Haugesund Kommune to deliver technology for Norway’s first autonomous city ferry

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The Research and Development project by Haugesund Kommune aims to develop a national pilot for an autonomous zero emission city ferry. The test period will initially last for two years, in which the vessel’s autonomy technology will gradually introduce self-driving capabilities and reduction of crew.   

Following the LOI agreement, Zeabuz will deliver the autonomy software onboard, equipping the ferry with the technology needed to safely conduct self-driving operations in complex traffic scenarios. The route will connect the city islands, make the recreational island Vibrandsøy accessible to the public, and is expected to boost local development, business and tourism in the area. To start it will travel between Haugesund Center, Risøy and Vibrandsøy. After the initial two-year test period, Haugesund Kommune intends to expand the route to also cover additional locations such as Karmøy. 

Zeabuz is a spin-off from the leading research community for autonomous vessels at NTNU in Trondheim, renowned for pioneering the world’s first autonomous urban ferry prototypes. 

Source: Zeabuz 

Aug 24
2

Publication: 21st edition of the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) 2023

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The 21st edition of the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) 2023 report has been published. Here is a summary of the parts concerning RoRo traffic: 

  • RoRo Traffic Overview (2023): RoRo traffic at Republic of Ireland (ROI) ports decreased by 2%, totaling 1.17 million units. Dublin saw a 4% decline, while Rosslare grew by 9%, achieving a record 204,693 units. 
  • ROI-GB Routes: Experienced a 2% decline, with Dublin and Rosslare both showing decreases. The shift away from the UK Landbridge remains consistent post-Brexit. 
  • ROI-EU Routes: Fell by 2% overall, with Dublin seeing a 9% decline, but Rosslare continued growth due to a service shift from Cork, marking another record year. 
  • Market Shares: Dublin’s market share declined slightly, while Rosslare’s share of ROI-EU traffic increased, reflecting the ongoing shift in trade routes post-Brexit. 
  • The trend between accompanied and unaccompanied RoRo cargo remained stable. Accompanied RoRo traffic, typically involving shorter routes like those to Great Britain, saw a slight decrease, particularly on ROI-GB routes. Unaccompanied RoRo traffic, often used for longer EU routes, maintained its post-Brexit growth trajectory, especially through ports like Rosslare, which saw an increase in direct EU traffic. The shift away from the UK Landbridge continues to influence these patterns, with unaccompanied cargo becoming more prominent on direct EU routes. 

Click on the cover to access the document: 

Aug 24
2

CLdN opens new access gate at Purfleet terminal

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CLdN opened the new access gate to its London terminal in Purfleet, UK. This two-year, multimillion-pound project will significantly improve access to the terminal for customers and deliver on commitments with the local authorities to divert terminal traffic away from residential areas.    

The new access to the east of the terminal will significantly reduce traffic along London Road – the road running along the north side of the terminal. The investment included the construction of a new access road and roundabout, new freight access gates (including an automated camera system for checking the condition of trailers) and the improvement of access roads within the terminal. The new access will also enable CLdN to increase capacity at the terminal in line with planning permits.    

Source: CLdN 

Aug 24
2

Artemis Technologies to supply two ferries to Orkney

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Delivered through Innovate UK, the UK government has funded Orkney Islands Council (OIC) for £15m as part of Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure (ZEVI) fund. 

Artemis Technologies Ltd were selected to supply two next-generation ferries for a 3 year trial period in Orkney. 

Many Orcadians are dependent on ferries as a means of transport between Orkney’s 20 inhabited islands. 

These high-speed and fully electric, vessels, each of which uses an eFoiler® electric propulsion system, will be a welcome addition to Orkney Ferries fleet. 

Source: Orkney Harbours 

Aug 24
1

IMAGE CARDS

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The construction of Scandlines‘ zero direct emissions ferry, the E/V Futura, has reached its final phase at the Cemre shipyard. The ferry recently underwent significant work in a floating dock, where its hull and thrusters were cleaned and painted, enhancing its energy efficiency. Precision measurements were also taken to ensure the ferry’s automatic mooring system and charging connections work seamlessly in the ports of Rødby, Denmark, and Puttgarden, Germany.

The E/V Futura is now at the fitting-out quay for the final installations and tests, including the critical Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT). Once these are completed, the ferry will be delivered to Scandlines, with plans to begin operations later in 2024, marking a significant step towards the company’s goal of achieving zero emissions on the Puttgarden-Rødby route by 2030. 

MARIA GRAZIA ONORATO will return to Zeebrugge. She was on charter to CLdN, returned to the Med, left the Moby fleet and has now been renamed LONGSTONE.  

She will be chartered by P&O Ferries (based upon port information).  

She is due in Tilbury for berthing trials on the 25th of August, followed by Zeebrugge on the 26th and Hull for berthing trials on the 27th on River Terminal 1. 

Photo: Mike Louagie 

CLdN’s PEREGRINE is currently operating between Melbourne (Victoria) and Burnie (Tasmania) for StraitLink. She has been chartered to cover refits of other vessels. She has been temporarily reflagged to Australian flag.  

Photo: Mike Louagie 

Åland’s regional government has, on August 22, signed a letter of intent with Finferries regarding the creation of a joint company, with the aim of operating traffic in the Åland archipelago. The parties intend to acquire a joint 50/50 owned company whose name would be “Ålands Skärgårdsrederi Ab” with the marketing name “Axferries”. The company shall be in Mariehamn. 

Photo: Håkan Fagerström, CEO of Finferries, Infrastructure Minister Camilla Gunell and Fredrik Pettersson, head of the Infrastructure Department during the press conference. 

Source: Åland Landskapsregeringen 

Stena Line reports a negative development for this year’s summer traffic between Sweden and Denmark, especially among Swedish, but also Danish passengers. In July, 14 percent fewer passengers travelled between Gothenburg-Fredrikshamn and Halmstad-Grenå compared to the previous year. However, the trend seems to be turning around and Stena Line expects to reach its budget targets in the coming months. 

Source: Stena Line (in Swedish)