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2024 Newsletter week 37

Sep 15
2

Attica H1, 2024: +30% Revenue, ANEK impacts earnings

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Summary of the financial report for Attica Group for the first half of 2024: 

Revenue and Earnings: 

  • Group revenue increased by 29.9% to €317.2 million, compared to €244.3 million in the first half of 2023. 
  • EBITDA dropped to €19.5 million, from €47.5 million in the previous year. 
  • The Group reported a loss after taxes of €4.5 million, compared to earnings of €3.3 million in the first half of 2023. 
  • This period marked the first full semester integrating ANEK Lines following their merger in December 2023. 

Operational Costs: 

  • The Group faced a 9% increase in average fuel prices and additional costs related to emissions allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System. 

Asset Sales and Liquidity: 

  • Attica Group divested its stake in Africa Morocco Links (AML) and sold related vessels, generating a total gain of €22.8 million. 
  • Cash and cash equivalents increased to €157.8 million by June 30, 2024, from €103.4 million at the end of 2023. 
  • The Group fully repaid a €175 million bond loan in July 2024. 

Fleet and Traffic Volumes: 

  • The Group’s fleet consists of 42 vessels, with significant increases in passenger, private vehicle, and freight unit volumes compared to the first half of 2023. 
  • Passenger traffic grew by 16.7%, private vehicles by 26.6%, and freight units by 27.3%. 

Investments and Environmental Initiatives: 

  • The Group is investing in new methanol-ready and battery-ready vessels, with delivery expected in 2027. 
  • Continued expansion into the hospitality sector, including a €14 million investment in a hotel complex on Naxos Island. 

Outlook: 

The operational integration of ANEK is expected to complete by the end of 2024. 

Source: Attica Group 

Sep 15
2

DFDS August volumes: good high-season passenger month

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Ferry – freight:  

  • Total volumes in August 2024 were 7.4% above 2023 and up 4.4% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes in 2024 and closure of the Calais-Tilbury route in 2023. 
  • North Sea volumes were above 2023 following mixed activity levels across the route network. Mediterranean volumes were in August above 2023 driven by higher volumes on all routes. 
  • Channel volumes continued in August to be above 2023 as did volumes on the Baltic Sea routes. 
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total transported freight lane metres increased 5.0% to 40.5m from 38.6m in 2023-22. The increase was 2.6% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes and the Calais-Tilbury route closure. 

Ferry – passenger:  

  • The number of passengers in August 2024 was 68.7% above 2023 and up 9.1% adjusted for the addition of the Strait of Gibraltar routes. The adjusted increase was driven by higher Channel volumes. The number of cars were 55.1% above 2023 and up 9.7% adjusted for Strait of Gibraltar. 
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total number of passengers increased 41.3% to 6.2m compared to 4.4m for 2023-22. The increase was 7.6% adjusted for Strait of Gibraltar. 
Sep 15
2

Brittany Ferries: positive performance and positive outlook

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Almost at the end of the 2024 fiscal year (November 2023 – October 2024), Brittany Ferries reports a 6.5% increase in passenger numbers (1.93 million). This growth, recorded for the second consecutive year (+11.9% in 2023 compared to 2022), reinforces its return to growth and its confidence in the future. 

Introduction of New LNG/Electric Hybrid Ships 

  • 2025 will see the arrival of two new LNG/electric hybrid ships. 
  • The first, SAINT-MALO, will begin service in February 2025 on the Saint-Malo/Portsmouth route, replacing the BRETAGNE, which has been in service since 1989. 
  • The second ship, GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE, will join in April 2025 on the Caen-Ouistreham/Portsmouth route, replacing the NORMANDIE, which has been in service since 1992. 

Positive 2024 Season Results 

  • Christophe Mathieu, CEO, highlighted the positive results of 2024, including increased passenger satisfaction, positive freight transport figures, and progress in environmental initiatives with the new hybrid ships. 

Caen-Ouistreham Route 

  • The Caen-Ouistreham/Portsmouth route, Brittany Ferries’ busiest, saw a 9.3% increase in passenger bookings in 2024, reaching 700,000 passengers. 
  • This follows a 14.2% increase in 2023 compared to 2022. 

Cherbourg Route 

  • Cherbourg, connecting Normandy to Poole, Portsmouth, and Rosslare, experienced a 4% increase in passengers, slightly below average due to the absence of fast ferry services. 
  • The Cherbourg/Rosslare route to Ireland saw a significant 28% increase, with 35,000 passengers. 

Saint-Malo Route 

  • Although the winter closure affects yearly comparisons, the Saint-Malo route showed a 12% increase in passengers during the spring and summer months (March to October). 

Roscoff Route 

  • Roscoff routes experienced a 12% growth in 2024, with 360,000 passengers. 
  • The Roscoff/Plymouth route showed the strongest growth, with an 18% increase, transporting 246,000 passengers, 37,000 more than in 2023. 

Freight Transport 

  • Freight transport accounts for nearly a fifth of Brittany Ferries’ revenue, with overall volumes up 4.3% in 2024. 
  • Roscoff/Plymouth freight increased by 52%, and Roscoff/Cork saw a 94% rise. 
  • Cross-Channel freight from Normandy ports grew by 3.7%, reaching 86,014 units. 

Photo: Benjamin Deroche 

Sep 15
2

New Economic and Financial Horizons for Brittany Ferries

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Brittany Ferries continues its recovery from the Brexit and Covid crises, with significant announcements marking the month. 

Repayment of loans granted by the Regions of Brittany and Normandy during the Covid Crisis and Status of the State-Guaranteed Loan (PGE) 

  • In October 2020, amidst the Covid pandemic, Brittany Ferries received repayable advances of €30 million from the Brittany region and €35 million from Normandy to support its operations. 
  • The company is set to fully repay Brittany on 23rd October and Normandy in early November 2024. 
  • Repayments for the State-Guaranteed Loan (PGE) began in December 2022, with over a quarter (€33.4 million) of the €117 million loan already repaid.  
  • Nearly €100 million will have been mobilised over two years to significantly reduce the company’s debt, reassuring partners of its swift recovery and future projects. 

Opening of Brittany Ferries’ capital to new Breton shareholders 

  • Post-Covid, the historic shareholders of Brittany Ferries decided to strengthen and open the company’s capital to new investors. 
  • In June 2023, CMA-CGM increased its capital share, reflecting the global shipping giant’s confidence in Brittany Ferries’ business model. 
  • In September 2024, eight new Breton companies joined as shareholders. 
  • These additions reinforce the company’s regional identity, with Breton cooperatives retaining a majority share of 75%. 

New Horizon for Condor Ferries with Brittany Ferries 

  • In 2019, Columbia Threadneedle Investment acquired a 72.28% stake in Condor Ferries, with Brittany Ferries supporting the acquisition. 
  • Condor Ferries, linking the UK and France to Jersey and Guernsey, suffered significant financial losses during the Covid crisis. 
  • Brittany Ferries has taken a 51% controlling interest in Condor Ferries, making it the majority shareholder. Approval from the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority for the increase in ownership to 51% was received on Thursday 12 September 2024. 
  • Brittany Ferries will implement its successful management practices and strong values at Condor Ferries, focusing on social responsibility for seafarers and a commitment to maritime decarbonisation. 
  • From September 2024, Condor Ferries will embark on a new chapter, strengthening the connection between France and the UK and supporting the development of Jersey and Guernsey. 
Sep 15
2

Condor Ferries looks back on a successful peak travel period

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Condor Ferries reported a +14% Y-O-Y increase in overall network carryings during this year’s peak travel period (14 July – 3 September 2024), representing an increase in carryings of 26,874 compared to 2023. 

Of particular significance is the increase in passengers carried to and from the island of Jersey: during the peak 2024 period, Condor Ferries carried 19,217 additional car and foot passengers on UK and French services to and from Jersey compared to the same period in 2023 (+16%). 

Inter-island carryings increased by +75%: 15,369 passengers travelled between the Islands during this period in 2024, compared to 8,766 in 2023. The number of car and foot passengers travelling to and from Guernsey from the UK and France increased by 1,084, representing an increase of +2%. 

These promising figures are partly due to the altered summer schedule introduced in 2024, which increased the number of sailings on offer. CEO Christophe Mathieu commented: “The figures are very encouraging and would not have been achievable under the previous timetable which was adjusted at the start of the season. This offered improved frequency of sailings from St Malo and Jersey, along with extra capacity from the UK, thanks to Condor Islander’s first summer in service”. 

Looking ahead, Condor report strong growth in its late summer and early autumn bookings across all routes, with car volumes returning to pre-Covid levels. 

Sep 15
2

Finnlines to launch a new freight service from Finland to Sheerness, UK

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Finnlines is set to launch a new freight service from Finland to Sheerness, with further connections available to Belgium, Spain, and Ireland.  

The first arrival will take place on 23 September 2024.  

The new service is part of Finnlines’ strategy to improve service sustainability and route network, and it will be operated with three Finneco-class vessels calling Sheerness/London Medway once a week. 

 

Southbound route: Helsinki / Kotka–Sheerness–Antwerp / Zeebrugge–Bilbao / Vigo. 

Northbound route: Bilbao / Vigo–Zeebrugge / Antwerp–Hanko–Helsinki / Kotka. 

Remark: Travemünde is no longer included in this route map 

Sep 15
2

Molslinjen: almost all routes saw more August visitors in 2024 than the previous year

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Molslinjen highlights that August 2024 was a successful month for ferry traffic, thanks to the pleasant late summer weather, which encouraged more Danes to travel by ferry.  

The Öresund line, connecting Helsingborg and Helsingør, saw a nearly 7% increase in passengers compared to August 2023. The newly introduced restaurant, Libitum Social Dining, aboard TYCHO BRAHE, also attracted many visitors, contributing to the overall rise in passenger numbers. 

There are three fast ferries sailing on the Kattegat, one less than in 2023, when the fast ferry MAX was also exceptionally included in the sailing plans. In spite of 129 fewer departures in August, there was an increase of 4% in passengers. 

While the number of business customers is fairly stable, it is the leisure travellers who have driven the progress in August. 

The exception is Alslinjen, where a redevelopment of the harbour in Fynshav has meant the deployment of a somewhat smaller ferry than usual. 

Sep 15
2

Advancing green shipping: Danish ferry operators lead the way in sustainable maritime innovation

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The 2024 Annual Report of the Danish Ferry Operators highlights significant progress in green initiatives, such as Scandlines’ new emissions-free ferry “E/F Futura,” set to operate between Rødby and Puttgarden.  

Molslinjen plans to electrify its entire fleet by 2040, with current electrification projects already underway on several routes. The report emphasizes the critical role of ferries in Denmark’s transportation network and the ongoing efforts to reduce the sector’s environmental impact. 

For more details, you can access the full report here (in Danish). 

Sep 15
2

Torghatten ordered four more ferries

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The Norwegian Ship Design Company announced that they have signed a comprehensive design and engineering contract for two electric ferries to be built at Özata Shipyard in Turkey for customer Torghatten Nord. 

Özata, Turkey:  

2x 76.85m long, 202 passengers and 60 vehicles. 

Battery capacity 1,960 kWh.
Festvåg – Misten route, connecting the road between Bodø and Kjerringøy. 

Source: Linkedin 

Torghatten and Oma Baatbyggeri signed on 28 August 2024 an agreement for the construction of two new electrically operated aluminium ferries.  

The ferries will be built by Stord based Oma Baatbyggeri and will be delivered to Torghatten in Q4 2025.  

OMA, Norway 

2x 49m long, 95 passengers and 28 cars.  

These new electrical ferries will operate between Korsfjord and Nyvoll and between Klokkarøy and Kjerringholmen. 

Source: OMA