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2025 Newsletter week 02

Jan 10
2

New Kid on the Block? Hibernia Line

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Hibernia Line is planning a new ferry service connecting Cork (Ringaskiddy), Ireland, with Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. The project is still in the planning phase.

Route and Frequency: The proposal outlines six weekly sailings, providing a direct connection between Ireland and northern France.

Vessels: Two RoPax ferries. (*)

Launch Timeline: The service aims to begin operations in 2025, pending further development. Insiders tell us 2026 is more realistic.

Strategic Importance: This project seeks to enhance Ireland’s connectivity to mainland Europe, bypassing the UK land bridge, especially in the context of post-Brexit logistics challenges.

Leadership: The project is spearheaded by Aidan Coffey, co-founder of DFDS Seaways Ireland, which successfully launched the Rosslare-Dunkerque route in 2021.

Website: https://hibernia-line.com/

(*) GNV has refuted claims regarding the potential charter or sale of its RoPax vessels, EXCELSIOR and EXCELLENT, to Hibernia Lines. Speaking to Ferry Shipping News, GNV clarified that these vessels are slated to remain in regular operation on their current routes. Both ships have recently undergone significant structural upgrades, enhancing their interiors and service usability as part of the company’s broader fleet renewal programme.

Jan 10
2

Summary of Tallink Grupp’s 2024 Statistics

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 Passenger Statistics (2024 Full Year)

    • Total passengers: 5,580,016 (↓ 2.2% compared to 2023).
    • Route-specific changes:
      • Estonia-Finland: ↑ 5%.
      • Estonia-Sweden: ↑ 0%.
      • Finland-Sweden: ↓ 4%.
    • Passenger Vehicles (2024 Full Year)
      • Total vehicles: 777,592 (↓ 7.5% compared to 2023).
      • Route-specific changes:
        • Estonia-Sweden: ↑ 8%.
        • Estonia-Finland: ↓ 6%.
        • Finland-Sweden: ↓ 2%.
      • Cargo Statistics (2024 Full Year)
        • Total cargo units: 303,234 (↓ 6.4% compared to 2023).
        • Route-specific changes:
          • Finland-Sweden: ↑ 4%.
          • Estonia-Finland: ↓ 1%.
          • Estonia-Sweden: ↓ 6%.
        • CEO’s Comments
          • Acknowledged challenging economic conditions, including EU taxes and low consumer confidence.
          • Expressed optimism for moderate economic recovery in 2025 to support trade revival.
          • Plans to continue ship charters and maintain stable dividends for investors.

 

AS Tallink Grupp Statistics for December and Q4 (2024)

In December (2024) AS Tallink Grupp transported:

460,786 passengers (-6.2%)

18,851 freight units (-16.3%)

57,955 passenger vehicles (-2.7%)

 

In Q4 (2024) AS Tallink Grupp transported:

1,310,014 passengers (-2.2%)

64,606 freight units (-15.2%)

164,586 passenger vehicles (-4.8%)

Source: https://company.tallink.com/for-investors/reports-and-financial-key-figures

Jan 10
2

Jersey: DFDS Guernsey: Brittany Ferries

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Now it is official: the two Channel Islands, Jersey and Guernsey, will each have a separate ferry company deserving each island.

Early December 2024, the Government of Guernsey has signed a contract with Brittany Ferries for 15 years. Brittany Ferries is the parent company of Condor Ferries.

End of December, the Government of Jersey has signed a contract with DFDS for 20 years.

A DFDS news release explains:

  • Under the contract, DFDS will provide passenger and freight services to the UK and France: routes from Jersey to Poole, Portsmouth and Saint Malo.
  • Two primary focus areas for the ferry operation: life-line freight and passenger services for Jersey residents and tourism.
  • The last three quarters of 2025, the total number of passengers on the routes are expected to amount to around 400k of which more than half are related to tourism. The majority of freight volumes (mainly unaccompanied trailers) are transported between Portsmouth and Jersey.
  • For the last three quarters of 2025, freight volumes are expected to amount to around 450k lane metres.
  • The four ferries to be deployed include two HSCs (high-speed craft), one RoPax ferry, and one RoRo ferry.
  • As part of the concession agreement, DFDS is planning to renew the deployed fleet through mainly introduction of new-buildings between 2030 and 2032.

Quid Saint-Malo?

 Brittany Ferries submitted its schedules for 2025 to the Port of Saint-Malo on 14 November, one day earlier than DFDS. As a result, Brittany – Condor Ferries is given scheduling priority for the Port of Saint-Malo in 2025.

It will be interesting to see how Saint-Malo copes with the berthing arrangements for the different competitors.

Remark:

As of December 2023, the estimated populations of the two main Channel Islands are:

  • Jersey: approximately 103,650 residents.
  • Guernsey: approximately 64,781 residents.
  • Bailiwick of Guernsey includes Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm.

Photo: Mike Louagie

Jan 10
2

New “Obligación de Servicio Público” for Melilla – Iberian Peninsula Ferries

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The new two-year Public Service Obligation contracts (Obligación de Servicio Público or OSP) for the Spanish enclave Melilla generated changes in the maritime routes since 1 January 2025. None of the three routes will face competition, which users of the route see as a threat.

Armas Trasmediterránea

  • Armas Trasmediterránea has been awarded the Almeria-Melilla and Motril-Melilla OSP contract
  • RoPax VOLCAN DE TIMANFAYA
  • 3 weekly rotations per route
  • Additional rotations during the Christmas, Easter and summer holiday periods, as well as when there is high demand for the service
  • Armas Trasmediterránea will stop operating the historic Malaga-Melilla route
  • Base price awarded by the OSP: €9.234 million annually

Baleària

  • Baleària has been awarded the Málaga – Melilla OSP contract
  • RoPax RUSADIR
  • 6 weekly rotations
  • Baleària will withdraw from Almeria-Melilla and Motril-Melilla
  • Base price awarded by the OSP: €10.44 million annually

Source: https://www.transportes.gob.es/el-ministerio/sala-de-prensa/noticias/mar-10092024-1451

Jan 10
2

Corsica Ferries Sold Elba Ferries to Blu Navy

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Corsica Ferries will no longer operate the maritime link between the port of Piombino and Portoferraio on the Elba Islands. The company, controlled by Pierre Mattei, announced the sale of the Elba Ferries brand to BN di Navigazione (operating through Blu Navy).

The line, which has been operated every summer with the HSC CORSICA EXPRESS THREE, will now be chartered by Corsica Ferries to Blu Navy.

Over the course of 13 seasons, Elba Ferries transported more than 2.6 million passengers and over 830,000 vehicles on more than 13,000 trips, the company explained.

“The sale of Elba Ferries is part of our strategic plan, which, from 2025, will focus on the constant improvement of quality and the strengthening of our fleet. We will concentrate our energies, strategies, and investments on Corsica, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands, as well as on new products such as mini-cruises,” said Sébastien Romani, Chief Sales Officer of Forship SPA (Corsica Sardinia Ferries).

Jan 10
2

Strike Announced at Corsica Linea and La Méridionale

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The CGT union has called for a 48-hour strike from 13 to 15 January, raising concerns about foreign competition and the future of French maritime jobs. (note from editor: why strike at the companies who do fly the French flag?)

  • GNV Expansion: Italian operator GNV is reportedly planning a new ferry route between Sète and Algeria, adding to its services to Morocco.
  • Worker Protections: CGT warns that foreign-flagged ships, like GNV’s, operate under less protective regulations, creating unfair competition.
  • Public Service Funding: The union demands better funding for territorial continuity routes, crucial for connecting Corsica and other destinations.
  • Strike Goal: Protect jobs, support the French flag, and ensure fair competition in the maritime sector.

Remark: the three other unions will not strike.

Jan 10
2

GNV Rumoured to Launch New RoPax Line Between France and Algeria

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MSC-controlled ferry operator GNV has not commented on market rumours, but multiple sources suggest the company is preparing to inaugurate a new RoPax line connecting the port of Sète in southern France with Algeria.

The French publication Le Marin reported this week that GNV recently secured the necessary authorisations in France. However, this development has sparked concerns among labour unions about increased competition, which could impact existing operators such as Algérie Ferries and Corsica Linea.

Jan 10
2

Fanølinjen Back on Track

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In both 2022 and 2023, the number of cars transported by Fanølinjen decreased, but that pattern now appears to have been broken. This is largely the result of good cooperation with Fanø municipality throughout 2024. Also passengers and freight numbers have increased.

  • +12% cars (from 410,656 in the year 2023 to 460,450 in last year)
  • +2.4% pax (from 1,868,784 to 1,914,308)
  • +5% truck (from 8,796 to 9,240)

Fanølinjen, part of Molslinjen, is a Danish ferry line between Esbjerg and the island of Fanø.

Jan 10
2

More Freight for Langelandslinjen Ferries because of Fixed Link Construction

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For freight, 2024 was a record year for Langelandslinjen. Many of the trucks were carrying materials for the construction of the Fehmarnbelt connection.

+12% trucks (from 28,716 to 33,795)

-1% pax (from 536,803 to 531,511)

-1% cars (from 218,505 to 216,009)

Langelandslinjen, part of Molslinjen, is a ferry line between Spodsbjerg and Tårs (Denmark).

The distance to Rødby from Tårs is 42km.

Jan 10
2

Bornholmlinjen Passes the Two Million Pax Mark

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For the first time Bornholm Line’s ferries had more than two million travellers to and from the Danish Island: 2,005,564 passengers took the return trip on one of the three routes to Bornholm in 2024.

Throughout 2025, EXPRESS 5 will sail side by side with EXPRESS 1. The latter will be rebuilt to be more identical to EXPRESS 5 (with a larger shop).

Bornholmlinjen, part of Molslinjen, connects the Danish Island of Bornholm with Ystad (Sw), Köge (Dk) and Sassnitz (Ge).