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2025 Newsletter week 07

Mar 02
1

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On 27 February 2025, PENELOPE A (ex-HORSA, 1972) of Agoudimos Lines was removed from her 12-year anchorage in Elefsis Bay and sent for scrapping at the Aliaga yard in Turkey. The former Sealink ferry was purchased in February 1992 and operated on the Rafina–Andros–Tinos–Mykonos route until 2013, when her operator went bankrupt. Since June 2014, she had been laid up in Elefsis Bay.

PENELOPE A was the last of three legendary sisters—APOLLO EXPRESS (ex-SENLAC) and AGIOS GEORGIOS (ex-HENGIST)—that played a key role in Greek coastal shipping, significantly contributing to its development.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Stena Line has marked a key milestone with the launch of STENA CONNECTA at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, the first of two hybrid RoRo vessels for the Belfast–Heysham route. The methanol-ready ship, equipped with battery propulsion and rotor sails, is set to enter service in early 2026, supporting Stena Line’s goal to cut CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030.

Source: Stena Line

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has secured a 12-month charter for its freight vessel ARROW, which will operate in the Channel Islands with DFDS. Expected to primarily serve the Jersey–Portsmouth route, ARROW will begin port trials and pilotage training before entering service following the 24th March charter commencement. The vessel was acquired by IOMSPC in September 2022 to ensure compliance with the Sea Services Agreement ahead of MANXMAN’s arrival in mid-2023.

Source: Isle of Man Steam Packet Company on Linkedin

The Red Ensign is now flying on TARIFA JET, marking its addition to the UK Ship Register ahead of deployment on the Jersey routes. DFDS Vice President Gemma Griffin highlights the company’s proud history with the UK flag and its commitment to creating new employment and training opportunities. TARIFA JET will begin service on the Jersey–Saint-Malo route on 28th March, with LEVANTE JET to follow on the Jersey–Poole route from 17th April.

Source: DFDS Global on Facebook

Viking Glory turns three in early March and at the same time will celebrate serving three million passengers. For Finns, Viking Line’s flagship offers modern slow cruise experiences, while Swedish passengers see the vessel as a luxury party boat.

Viking Glory launched a new era on the Turku–Stockholm route on March 1, 2022.

Source: Viking Line

French Mediterranean Port of Sète and VIIA are expanding the rail motorway service to Calais. A new platform, equipped with Modalohr technology, will significantly increase the number of trains running between the two ports—meaning fewer lorries on the road.

Will the new SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV, laid up in Leith, be used to house Ukrainian refugees in Scotland, while it awaits its berth being completed in Devonport. According to Australian media talks are ongoing. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said negotiations were underway as to the leasing arrangements of the ship and “when there is an outcome, we will release the details of that outcome”.

Photo: Matt Sudders

Feb 14
3

Austal to Build 130-Metre Hydrogen-Ready High-Speed Ferry for Gotlandsbolaget

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Austal Australasia has secured a contract worth approximately A$270 million to design and construct a groundbreaking 130-metre, hydrogen-ready high-speed RoPax catamaran for Gotlandsbolaget of Sweden. Part of the ‘Horizon X’ programme, this will be the largest vessel ever built by Austal and the first high-speed craft to feature a combined cycle propulsion system integrating gas and steam turbines.

Designed for sustainability and efficiency, the Horizon X catamaran will carry up to 1,500 passengers and 400 vehicles while being capable of operating on multiple fuel types, including hydrogen. The vessel will be constructed at Austal’s Philippine shipyard using lightweight green aluminium, further reducing emissions. Delivery is scheduled for mid-2028.

This innovative project represents a major step towards climate-neutral ferry operations, setting new standards for speed, fuel efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

Feb 14
3

CLdN Expands Zeebrugge-Teesport Route with More Sailings and Bigger Ships

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From the end of February, CLdN is increasing the number of sailings and the amount of freight it can carry on its Zeebrugge-Teesport route.
 
How?
CLdN is making two key changes to improve the service:
1.    Adding one more round-trip sailing per week.
2.    Deploying larger RoRo vessels on the route.
These improvements are made possible because CLdN is adding two brand-new, very large RoRo ships to its fleet later this year. (CHAUMINE Q2, LEONINE Q3)

Why?
Customer demand for this service is growing. More businesses need a direct and reliable way to transport freight between North East England, Scotland, and Europe.

What’s the Impact?
This expansion will strengthen CLdN’s position as a key player in unaccompanied freight shipping across the North Sea. With larger and more efficient vessels, CLdN can transport goods with lower CO2 emissions than any of its competitors, making the service both practical and environmentally friendly.

Feb 14
3

Wagenborg Invests in a New Fast Ferry for Ameland

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Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten has signed a construction contract with Next Generation Shipyards for a new fast ferry to serve the Ameland–Holwert route. This multi-million-euro investment marks a significant step in improving the island’s accessibility.

Designed for 75 passengers, the new vessel will enhance capacity, efficiency, and sustainability. With an 80 cm draft and advanced waterjets, it will ensure reliable operations even at lower water levels. The ferry’s highly efficient propulsion system, compliant with the latest emission standards, will reduce CO₂ emissions per crossing by over 50% compared to the current Fostaborg, and by nearly 70% per passenger. The vessel is also future-proof, prepared for biodiesel and easy conversion to full electric propulsion.

Built by NG Shipyards in collaboration with Northern Dutch subcontractors, the project will provide a direct boost to the regional economy. The ferry will also feature modern navigation systems, enhanced manoeuvrability, increased luggage space, USB-C charging ports, and improved accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility.

Delivery is expected by the end of 2025, with the vessel entering service in early 2026.

Feb 14
4

DFDS January Volumes: First Month Of The Year Impacted By Timing Of Dockings

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Ferry – freight

  • Total volumes in January 2025 of 3.3m lane metres were 1.4% below 2024.
  • North Sea volumes were below 2024 due to mainly lower automotive volumes.
  • Mediterranean volumes were below 2024 following increased competition in one corridor.
  • Channel volumes were below 2024 due to docking timing differences.
  • Baltic Sea and Strait of Gibraltar volumes were both above 2024.

For the last twelve months 2025-24, the total transported freight lane metres increased 7.4% to 41.5m from 38.6m in 2024-23. The increase was 2.5% adjusted for Strait of Gibraltar added from January 2024.

Ferry – passenger

  • The number of passengers in January 2025 was 12.4% below 2024 and down 4.7% adjusted for the sale of Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen.
  • The adjusted decrease was driven mostly by docking timing differences.
  • The number of cars was 8.5% below 2024 and down 4.1% adjusted for route changes.

For the last twelve months 2025-24, the total number of passengers increased 42.7% to 6.6m compared to 4.6m for 2024-23. The increase was 2.9% adjusted for route changes.

Feb 14
3

Gotlandsbolaget Presents The New Name For The Line Between Oslo And Copenhagen

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On November 1, Gotlandsbolaget took over the line between Oslo and Copenhagen. Now the new name is being announced: Go Nordic Cruiseline.

The name is designed to reflect the line’s proud Nordic heritage and more than 150 years of history, but also Gotlandsbolaget’s roots and ambitions for the development of the line.

The focus going forward is to develop high-quality onboard experiences with, among other things, newly renovated ships, Nordic entertainment and gastronomy, and more time to explore the Nordic capitals.

Feb 14
3

People

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Shipping and Aviation Sectors Call for Urgent Clean Fuel Investment

European Shipowners (ECSA), Airlines for Europe (A4E), and Transport & Environment (T&E) have jointly urged the European Commission and EU member states to accelerate clean fuel production for shipping and aviation.

In a statement, the organisations stress that meeting European Green Deal targets while maintaining industry competitiveness requires significant investment—estimated at €100 billion annually, according to the Draghi report. They advocate for prioritising scalable renewable fuels in the forthcoming Clean Industrial Deal and expanding EU-based fuel production to cover at least 40% of demand under FuelEU Maritime and ReFuelEU Aviation.

The statement also calls for using European and national ETS revenues to de-risk projects and proposes a matchmaking platform to improve access to clean fuels. Additionally, the groups support infrastructure mandates to transform ports and airports into renewable fuel hubs.

With shipping and aviation among the hardest sectors to decarbonise, the three organisations emphasise that urgent action is needed to drive the energy transition forward.

Read the joint statement here.

Feb 14
3

Ports

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Port of Dublin to Deploy Ireland’s First Automated Mooring System

  • Multi-million euro order for Cavotec MoorMaster™ NxG, signed in late 2024.
  • First installation in Ireland, with delivery set for Q3 2026.
  • Enhances safety, efficiency, and sustainability, cutting emissions and downtime.
  • Supports Northern Europe’s transition to automated mooring.
  • Cavotec CEO calls it a key milestone in maritime automation.
  • This project positions Port of Dublin as a leader in smart, sustainable port operations.

Source: Cavotec

Feb 14
3

Port Of Trelleborg Has Received Co-Financing From EU For Onshore Power To The Vessels

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Port of Trelleborg has submitted an application regarding installation of onshore power supply in ferry berths 10 and 11. The application has now been granted co-financing in EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the EU funding programme supporting European transport infrastructure.

Source: Trelleborgshamn.se and European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency

Feb 14
1

IMAGE CARDS

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Fast Ferries’ ADAMANDIOS KORAIS is being prepared to return to service on her daily Alexandroupolis–Samothraki route. She joined the Fast Ferries fleet in November 2024, following the company’s acquisition of Zante Ferries’ ships. The vessel has been undergoing a full renovation and upgrade for the past three months and is expected to return to service within February. In the meantime, her fleet mate EKATERINI P. has been operating in her place on the route. Additionally, Fast Ferries will run two weekly sailings on the Lavrion–Agios Efstratios–Lemnos–Samothraki route until 10 May 2025.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

On 14 February 2025, the legendary SUPERSTAR of Seajets returned to daily service on the Volos–Skiathos–Skopelos–Alonissos route after her three-month annual refit and maintenance. The Belgian-built ship had ceased sailings last November. Built in Belgium in 1974, she has a carrying capacity of 1,480 passengers and 240 cars and can sail at 21 knots.

Photo: Charalambos Symeonidis

WALLENIUS SOL expands its fleet of carriers with 100 new 40-foot cassettes, featuring significant enhancements based on insights from previous models. These improvements represent a step forward in both design and functionality.

The big difference from earlier models is the reinforced design, specifically addressing areas that previously experienced the most wear and tear.

Source and read more: Wallenius SOL

POL MARIS has been renamed FRANCESCO NULLO. The RoRo vessel will return to service on the Pendik–Trieste route for DFDS. She has been drydocked at the Park Shipyard (Besiktas Group) in Turkey.

Source: Polish Ocean Lines on Linkedin