Launch of the DECOMPRES Project: A Green Future for Greek Ports

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments
  • Purpose: To promote sustainable growth and reduce carbon emissions in Greek port zones through the DECOMPRES project, “Decarbonising the Greek Comprehensive Ports.”
  • Funding:
    • Approved for a total of €9,670,000 under the European Commission’s “Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)” programme.
    • 85% of funding comes from the Cohesion Fund.
  • Scope:
    • The first collaborative effort involving multiple Greek ports within the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network’s supplementary network.
    • Aims to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Aligns with European directives for green port transformations.
    • Involves the installation of ship electrification infrastructure to reduce reliance on traditional fuels.
    • Construction of ship electrification facilities includes:
      • 4 positions in Rafina Port.
      • Technical studies for:
        • 9 positions in Lavrio Port.
        • 11 positions in Corfu Port.
        • 9 positions in Kavala Port.
  • Consortium Members:
    • Coordinated by Lavrio Port Authority SA, partnered with Rafina, Corfu, and Kavala Port Authorities, along with Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund, HEDNO (electricity distribution), PROTASIS, HYDRUS, GATES, and NTUA’s Laboratory of Maritime Transport.

This initiative sets a benchmark for sustainable maritime practices, reflecting the commitment of Greek ports to green growth and innovation.

Photo: A kickoff meeting was held on Thursday, 5 December 2024, at Lavrio Port Authority’s offices.

DFDS November: Continued Growth

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

Ferry – freight

  • Total volumes in November 2024 were 4% above 2023 and up 4.7% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes in 2024, closure of Calais-Tilbury in 2023, and the sale of Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen in 2024.
  • North Sea, Channel, and Baltic Sea volumes were all, also in November, above 2023 following growth on most routes.
  • Mediterranean volumes were in November below 2023 following increased competition in one corridor.
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total transported freight lane metres increased 7.7% to 41.4m from 38.4m in 2023-22. The increase was 3.9% adjusted for the above route changes.

Ferry – passenger

  • The number of passengers in November 2024 was 6% above 2023 and up 22.4% adjusted for the above route changes. The adjusted increase was due to mainly higher Channel volumes supported by a timing difference of the fall half-term break in the UK.
  • The number of cars was 40.4% above 2023 and up 8.4% adjusted for route changes.
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total number of passengers increased 47.2% to 6.6m compared to 4.5m for 2023-22. The increase was 8.0% adjusted for route changes.

North Sea Port Collaborates with Dutch Seaports on Nationwide Cybersecurity Platform

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

To address growing cyber threats, Dutch seaports, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) have developed a unified strategy: the “Cyber Strategy for Dutch Seaports.”

As digital threats to ports increase daily, cyberattacks pose a significant risk to nautical and logistical processes. To enhance digital resilience, the Branche Organisatie Zeehavens (BOZ), representing Dutch seaports, has joined forces with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the NCTV. This collaborative approach was formalised through an agreement signed on Tuesday, 10 December.

 Due to the interconnected nature of the logistics chain, cyber incidents can have far-reaching impacts. To mitigate these risks, port authorities from Groningen Seaports, North Sea Port, the Port of Rotterdam, the Port of Moerdijk, and the Port of Amsterdam will work closely with businesses in their regions. Together, they aim to strengthen the digital resilience of the port ecosystem, ensuring safer and more secure operations.

Source: North Sea Port

New RoPax Ferry PIETRO MONDELLO Delivered by Sefine Shipyard to Caronte & Tourist

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

Sefine Shipyard has just delivered the brand-new RoPax ship PIETRO MONDELLO to the Italian ferry company Caronte & Tourist.

  • The vessel was designed by the naval architects at LMG Marin AS.
  • The double-ended ferry represents a fine-tuned version of ELIO (2018), featuring numerous unseen improvements. The most notable innovation is the integration of a large 2 MWh battery pack to peak-shave ferry operations and reduce fuel consumption.
  • The project aligns with the IMO Decarbonisation targets, combining LNG hybrid technology, dual-fuel generator sets, and battery packs. These provide consistent power to the electrically driven azimuth propulsion system and independent 360-degree thruster systems, including dynamic positioning capabilities.
  • The vessel is expected to begin operations on the maritime link across the Strait of Messina in 2025.

Newly Built Full Electric Ferry Delivered to SNAM in La Spezia

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

Snam, Italy’s leading gas utility company and manager of the regasification plant at Panigaglia, has taken delivery of a newly built RoRo vessel, which is yet to be named.

  • Built to RINA Class standards for coastal areas, the ferry is optimised for operation in the protected waters of La Spezia.
  • Built by Holland Shipyards in the Netherlands, the vessel was transported from Rotterdam to Italy aboard a general cargo ship.
  • It is designed to transport up to four LNG tank trucks per trip, directly connecting to the national road network, thereby reducing traffic on local urban roads near the Panigaglia LNG terminal.
  • The double-ended vessel is a fully electric ferry, designed as a modern battery-powered shuttle ferry, featuring dual-fuel diesel auxiliary propulsion.
  • Key specifications include:
    • Less than 500 GT
    • Overall length: 50.2 m
    • Beam: 13.89 m
    • Propulsion: Two 300 kW L-drive thrusters powered by a battery pack exceeding 1 MWh capacity

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

On 29 November 2024, ANEK Lines’ large cruise ferry EL. VENIZELOS returned to the Piraeus–Chania (Crete) route, replacing the RoPax KISSAMOS, which was reassigned to the Piraeus–Heraklion route. The vessel was refreshed and now sports the new ANEK Lines livery.

Photo © Charalambos Symeonidis

Poland celebrated the launch and float-out of the RoPax ferry NB102 at the Remontowa Shipyard o Tuesday 10 December.
During the ceremony, the names of both Unity Line vessels were announced:

  • NB101 will be named JANTAR UNITY
  • NB102 will be named BURSZTYN UNITY

The first ferry is expected to start in October 2025 on Świnoujście – Trelleborg.

Photos © Bartosz Bagiński

The LEVANTE JET has returned following a complete refurbishment and has been rebranded from FRS red to DFDS blue. The high-speed craft is now back in service on the Ceuta-Algeciras route.

Astilleros Armón delivered the high-speed hybrid monohull vessel ALESSANDRO MORACE, fifth vessel in the award-winning series. Indeed, the first vessel has been awarded high-speed ferry of the year 2024 at our Ferry Shipping Summit.

The previously delivered vessels are VITTORIO MORACE, CRISTINA M, GENNARO C. and FERDINANDO MORACE. Next will be DANIELA MORACE, the sixth vessel.

Photo: VITTORIO MORACE, Liberty Lines

The Port of Calais continues its modernisation with the completion of its new control tower, fully funded by the Région Hauts-de-France. Situated between the two docks, the 38-metre-high tower offers a stunning vantage point for managing maritime traffic.

Next on the agenda: electrification to welcome the latest generation of ferries.

Photo: Mike Louagie