IMAGE CARDS

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50, 2024 Newsletter week 51 | No Comments

On 9 December 2024, EVIA STAR resumed her regular Rafina–Marmari service, fully refurbished and showcasing her new livery. The ship was sold to the newly established Olympian Ferries last June, along with her fleetmate PANORAMA. She has been serving this route since June 2001 under the ownership of Marmari Shipping.

Photo: Spyros Roussos

On 16 December 2024, ANEK Lines’ HELLENIC SPIRIT arrived at Elefsis Shipyards (ONEX Group) for her scheduled major overhaul. The vessel ceased operations on the Patras–Igoumenitsa–Ancona route on 15 December to prepare for an extensive refit.

The upgrade will include a complete engine overhaul, installation of scrubbers, and a transformation of her livery to that of Superfast Ferries. The ship will also be renamed SUPERFAST IV and is expected to resume service on the Adriatic route by February 2025.

Photo: ANEK Lines

STENA EUROPA, freshly repainted in the colours of Africa Morocco Link, has started the operations between Algeciras and Tanger Med.

Watch the stunning video made by Voyagair / Christos Chatzaras.

Besiktas Shipyard started a partnership with Corsica Linea. The first retrofit project, including bulbous bow modification has been successfully completed for RoPax PASCAL PAOLI.

Source: Besiktas Shipyard on Linkedin

Ferry ticket distribution company Liknoss started a partnership with Blu Navy Traghetti, the company that operates between Piombino and Portoferraio.

Source: Liknoss on Linkedin

DFDS’ GALATA SEAWAYS called for the first time at the Greek port of Patras. It will be a weekly call on the RoRo route between Sète (France) and Yalova (Türkiye).

Two New Ferries in 2029 for the Cook Strait

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It is exactly one year since the New Zealand Government decided to pull the plug on KiwiRail’s iRex plan to build two new rail-enabled RoPax ferries for Interislander. Reason: ballooning costs, up to 3 billion NZD (1.653 billion EUR).

On Wednesday 11 December, the Government announced new plans:

  • New Zealand Government is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries for the Cook Strait. Cabinet has agreed to capitalise the new company with NZD 4 million of equity.
  • The ferries are expected to begin operation in 2029 (three years later than the cancelled iRex ferries)
  • The Ministerial Advisory Group’s recommendation is for the ships to be medium-sized RoPax vessels, approximately 200m in length. This is larger than the current ferries but smaller than the iReX ferries.
  • Will the new ferries be rail-enabled? “The new ferries will be rail compatible” (…)
  • Expected cost: commercially confidential until procurement and negotiations for the associated landside infrastructure have been completed.
  • First stage of the procurement process in March, after which final decisions on next steps will be taken.
  • Opportunity: alternative proposals will be assessed alongside the initial procurement results in March.

Read official statements from the Government and KiwiRail

New ferries will ensure safe, resilient connection

Press conference

Q&A pdf

Press release KiwiRail

KiwiRail welcomes announcement on future ferries for Cook Strait

Photo Kiwirail: KAITAKI passing through Whekenui Bay

Stena AB Interim Report First 9 Months 2024

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Stena AB Revenues

Total revenues increased by SEK 593 million to SEK 41,403 (40,810) million in the nine months ended 30 September 2024. The revenues are higher within all segments except for the Shipping segment compared to the same period last year.

Stena AB Operational EBITDA

The operational EBITDA for the consolidated Stena AB Group decreased by SEK 602 million to SEK 10,300 (10,902) million.

Ferry Operations

Operational EBITDA decreased by SEK 251 million to SEK 3,332 (3,583) million in the nine months ended 30 September 2024 mainly due to higher costs and somewhat softer markets compared to the same period last year.

Freight volumes decreased 1%, car volumes decreased 1% and passenger

volumes decreased 1% compared to last year.

Stena RoRo

Operational EBITDA from chartering out vessels increased by SEK 89 million to SEK 742 (653) million mainly due to the delivery of Ala’suinu in February 2024.

Source: https://stena.com/app/uploads/2024/11/Stena-AB-Group-Q3-2024.pdf

Two Electric Catamarans for Baleària

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Baleària has announced the construction of two electric catamarans, ESPAÑA 2030 and MAROC 2030, to operate on the Tarifa-Tanger Ville route, for which they have recently won the tender.

With an investment of €135 million, these vessels will be built at the Armón shipyards and are expected to become operational in two and a half years.

Each catamaran will feature an electric power capacity of 16 MW and batteries with 11,500 kWh, enabling full crossings without CO₂ emissions.

The semi-high-speed vessels will have a capacity for 804 passengers and 225 vehicles, with a maximum speed of 26 knots.

OSK Design selected for new RoPax and RoRo vessel designs for COTUNAV

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OSK Design announced its selection by Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation (COTUNAV) to design its next-generation RoPax and RoRo vessels.

OSK Design has an extensive experience with leading ferry operators—including Algerie Ferries, Moby, TTLine, P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries and more.

The designs for COTUNAV’s new fleet will focus on:

  • Reliability: Advanced machinery and redundant systems ensure continuous operation in challenging maritime conditions.
  • Performance: Superior seakeeping and handling capabilities enable safe and efficient operations across varying environments.
  • Flexibility: Adaptable designs accommodate evolving market demands and regulatory requirements.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Energy-efficient technologies and eco-friendly solutions will reduce emissions and minimise the vessels’ environmental footprint, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Source: https://www.oskdesign.com/news/cotunav

Fast Ferries Acquire Zante Ferries’ Fleet

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OSK Design announced its selection by Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation (COTUNAV) to design its next-generation RoPax and RoRo vessels.

OSK Design has an extensive experience with leading ferry operators—including Algerie Ferries, Moby, TTLine, P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries and more.

The designs for COTUNAV’s new fleet will focus on:

  • Reliability: Advanced machinery and redundant systems ensure continuous operation in challenging maritime conditions.
  • Performance: Superior seakeeping and handling capabilities enable safe and efficient operations across varying environments.
  • Flexibility: Adaptable designs accommodate evolving market demands and regulatory requirements.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Energy-efficient technologies and eco-friendly solutions will reduce emissions and minimise the vessels’ environmental footprint, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Source: https://www.oskdesign.com/news/cotunav

Fast Ferries Acquire Zante Ferries’ Fleet

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On 6 December 2024, after extensive negotiations, Fast Ferries finalised the acquisition of Zante Ferries’ ships: DIONISSIOS SOLOMOS (built in 1990) and ADAMANDIOS KORAIS (built in 1987).

Both vessels will undergo refurbishment and adopt new livery while remaining on their current routes:

  • DIONISSIOS SOLOMOS: Piraeus–Western Cyclades route.
  • ADAMANDIOS KORAIS: Alexandroupolis–Samothrace barren line.

Zante Ferries’ History:

  • Established in 1991 in Zakynthos, operating initially in the Ionian Sea.
  • Transitioned to the Aegean Sea in 2008 with ADAMANDIOS KORAIS servicing Central Aegean routes, later focusing on Western Cyclades.
  • In 2017, DIONISSIOS SOLOMOS joined the Western Cyclades route, marking the company’s permanent shift from the Ionian Sea.
  • After 33 years of service, Zante Ferries has ceased operations in Hellenic Coastal Shipping.

Photo © Charalambos Symeonidis

“EU ports recorded 395.3 million passengers in 2023” says Eurostat

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In 2023, the EU ports recorded 395.3 million passengers, marking a 5.8% increase compared with 2022 (374.0 million). However, the number of passengers was 5.5% lower than the pre-COVID levels of 2019.

In 2023, 11 EU countries, each with more than 10 million passengers, accounted for 97% of all seaborne passenger transport in the EU.

Italian ports recorded the highest number of passengers: 85.4 million, or 22% of the EU total.

Greek ports followed with 75.0 million passengers (19% of the EU total) and Denmark with 41.2 million passengers (10%).

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20241209-2

Photo: Messina, Mike Louagie

WALLENIUS SOL Expands LoLo Service with Tornio, Piteå and Rotterdam

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From January 2025, WALLENIUS SOL is expanding its LoLo service to include Port of Tornio, Port of Piteå and Port of Rotterdam. This enhanced network improves connectivity in the Bay of Bothnia and strengthens access to deep-sea routes via Rotterdam alongside Antwerp.

The container vessel, PEYTON LYNN C., with a capacity of 860 TEU, has been chartered to operate the service between Kokkola, Oulu, Tornio, Piteå, Rotterdam and Antwerp with a fixed bi-weekly rotation.

WALLENIUS SOL mainly operates RoRo / ConRo vessels.

Source: WALLENIUS SOL on LinkedIn

New Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridge in Plymouth

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Associated British Ports (ABP) has taken another significant step in its £23m Millbay Docks transformation, within the Port of Plymouth.

The first section of a new Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridge (SPBB) on the West Wharf has been installed, with the remaining sections due to be installed in early 2025.

The SPBB has been supplied by ADELTE.

When operational, this new state-of-the-art bridge will help to streamline the embarkation and disembarkation process for foot passengers of Brittany Ferries and cruise vessels.

Source: ABP