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2024 Newsletter week 36

Sep 06
2

Grimaldi Group to open a new RoRo line between Italy and Turkey

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Starting from 14 September, Grimaldi Euromed will deploy two RoRo vessels on the new regular service between Trieste and Ambarli (just a few kilometres from Istanbul), with two weekly departures from each port. 

The new link will be operated by ECO MEDITERRANEA and ECO MALTA, both RoRo vessels of the innovative “GG5G” class. 

With the new direct Trieste-Ambarli connection, the Grimaldi Group “is responding to the growing demand for high-quality maritime transport services between Italy and Turkey from its clients, notably some of the world’s leading manufacturers of automobiles and industrial vehicles, such as BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, Scania, Stellantis, Kia, and Hyundai.” 

 Source: Grimaldi Group  

Sep 06
2

Record-breaking summer for Scandlines

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  • Scandlines experienced a record-breaking summer in 2024, transporting 2.7 million passengers and 728,000 cars between Germany and Denmark. 
  • Passenger numbers increased from 2.6 million in 2023 to 2.7 million in 2024. 
  • The number of cars transported also rose, from 716,509 in 2023 to 727,978 in 2024. 
  • The busiest weekend for passengers was 19-21 July, with 146,209 passengers, while the busiest weekend for cars was 26-28 July, with 40,235 cars. 
  • Scandlines introduced a dynamic ticketing system offering lower prices for early bookings or less busy times, enhancing ferry capacity utilisation and competitiveness. 
  • A new app and licence plate scanners were launched to improve ticket booking and check-in processes. 
  • Frequent departures were offered, with crossings every half hour on the Puttgarden-Rødby route and every two hours on the Rostock-Gedser route. 
  • Passengers were more flexible in their return journeys, often travelling at various times throughout the day and night. 
  • In July 2024, Scandlines also transported 3,003 buses. 

Photo: Horst-Dieter Foerster/Scandlines 

Sep 06
2

Climate Compensation Gains Popularity at Wasaline

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Wasaline introduced a carbon offset option in June 2024, which has seen significant uptake, particularly among Swedish travellers, with over 1,500 choosing to offset their travel emissions. The proceeds are used to power the ship with biogas, enhancing its sustainability. Wasaline aims to reduce its carbon footprint by at least 5% annually, working towards climate-neutral operations by 2030. 

Sep 06
2

Stena becomes sole owner of NTEX

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Stena, which previously owned 75% of the shares in the transport and logistics company NTEX, has purchased an additional 25% of the shares and thus has become the sole owner of the company.  

​​​​​​​​​​​​NTEX is one of Sweden’s most expansive transport companies with 20 offices in 12 countries in Europe, over 1,000 employees and around 4 billion SEK in turnover. The company owns and leases around 1,500 trucks and has 16 terminals and warehouses of its own.  

 Stena entered as a majority owner of NTEX in 2020, and is now sole owner of the company.   

“The main reason for this acquisition is that we wish to gain a greater understanding of how large transport companies operate in different markets. By owning and running companies, our understanding of our customers and where the market is going increases, which allows us to optimise Stena’s product portfolio,” says CEO Niclas Mårtensson.  

Sep 06
2

BC Ferries wraps historic summer and prepares for refit season

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BC Ferries has concluded a historic summer, marking the busiest season in its 64-year history, with over five million passengers and two million vehicles transported in June and July. As the summer ends, the company is now focusing on its annual refit season, beginning with repairs on the aging QUEEN OF NEW WESTMINSTER, among others. This refit season is part of BC Ferries’ commitment to safety and fleet modernization, with new major vessels planned to address growing demand and operational challenges. 

For more details, you can visit the full release here. 

Sep 06
2

Viking Line had a total of nearly 1.8 million passengers during the summer

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Nearly 1.8 million passengers travelled on Viking Line’s vessels during the period June–August 2024. The greatest increase in demand was on the Tallinn route, which also had more departures than in previous summer seasons. This summer, passengers were drawn by the variety of attractions in Estonia and the other Baltic countries, to Åland as depicted in the historical film Stormskärs Maja, and by a refurbished Viking Cinderella. 

 In short: 

  • Viking Line served nearly 1.8 million passengers during June–August 2024. 
  • The Tallinn route saw the greatest increase in demand, with over 732,000 passengers and a rise of more than 11%. 
  • The Helsinki–Stockholm route carried 274,000 passengers, with Viking Line’s market share rising to 44%. 
  • A cheap Swedish krona increased Stockholm’s appeal as a destination. 
  • Special cruises to Visby, Gotland were highly popular and sold out quickly. 
  • The Turku–Mariehamn–Stockholm route served 747,000 passengers, maintaining Viking Line’s market share at nearly 70%. 
  • International tourist numbers rose significantly, with notable increases in Chinese, German, Polish, South Korean, and American passengers. 
  • Climate tourism, driven by people seeking cooler destinations, is on the rise. 
  • The abrupt end of the summer season is a challenge for the tourism industry due to earlier school start dates in Finland. 

 Read the full story on Vikingline.com 

Sep 06
1

IMAGE CARDS

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At SMM in Hamburg, Knud E. Hansen revealed a concept design for the new Grimaldi RoPax vessels.  

Grimaldi Group has just launched the tender for nine new ships: three for Finnlines (similar to the last two of the ‘Superstar’ series recently delivered), two for Minoan and three for Grimaldi Euromed. 

A signature is expected end of 2024, beginning of 2025.

Sea trials have been successfully completed on the newly built ro-pax ferry GNV POLARIS, the first of four vessels commissioned by the MSC Group to Guangzhou Shipyard International.  

The delivery is scheduled to take place before the end of the current year and then the GNV POLARIS will be deployed on the regular link between Spain mainland (Valencia and Barcelona) and the Balearic Islands.   

GNV POLARIS (as the sister ship GNV ORION, already launched earlier this year) is 218m long with a capacity for 1,785 passengers and 3,100 lane metres of freight. 

Two more sister ships will follow and will be LNG-powered.