Attica Group Reports Strong 2024 Results Following ANEK Integration

By | 2025 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

Attica Group has successfully completed its first full year following the merger with ANEK, marking a transformative period that has positioned the company among the world’s largest passenger and freight ferry operators. The results for 2024 highlight substantial revenue growth, continued investment in fleet renewal and digital transformation, as well as a strategic expansion into complementary sectors.

Financial Highlights

  • Revenue Surge: Attica Group recorded a 27% increase in revenue, reaching €747.8 million (compared to €588.3 million in 2023), driven primarily by the integration of ANEK.
  • EBITDA Performance: EBITDA stood at €96.3 million, or €101.5 million including fuel hedging impact (€126.4 million in 2023).
  • Net Profit: Despite strong financial performance, net profits amounted to €17.5 million, significantly impacted by one-off merger-related costs (€28.2 million) associated with the ANEK integration.
  • Major Investments: A total of €162 million was allocated for fleet expansion, digitalisation, and sustainability initiatives.

Fleet and Operational Expansion

Following the merger, Attica Group now operates a fleet of 42 vessels under the Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, and ANEK Lines brands. This includes:

  • 27 conventional RoPax vessels
  • 13 high-speed ferries
  • 2 RoRo freight vessels

Key transactions in 2024 include:

  • Acquisition of new E-Flexer vessels, under long-term charter with an option to purchase.
  • Purchase of Highspeed 3 (formerly THUNDER), KISSAMOS, and KYDON, expanding the high-speed and RoPax fleet.
  • Sale of KRITI II for recycling in line with European and Greek environmental regulations.

Traffic Growth & Market Position

The group’s transportation volumes increased significantly across all segments:

  • 29 million passengers (+12.3% vs. 2023)
  • 3 million private vehicles (+25%)
  • 530,000 freight units (+26.2%)
  • 18,185 sailings (+6.3%)

This growth was evident in both the Greek domestic network (Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete, North Aegean, Saronic, and Sporades) and international routes connecting Greece and Italy (Ancona, Bari, and Venice).

Investing in the Future

Attica Group continues to drive sustainable growth through investment in:

  • Green transition: Installation of scrubbers and energy-efficient systems to optimise fleet operations.
  • Digital transformation: Enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.
  • Hospitality expansion: Acquisition of a second hotel complex in Naxos (€14 million investment), reinforcing the group’s presence in the tourism sector.

Looking ahead, Attica Group aims to further capitalise on the synergies from the ANEK integration, optimise fleet operations, and strengthen its competitive edge through sustainability and digitalisation initiatives.

The full financial statements for 2024 are available on the websites of the Athens Stock Exchange (www.athexgroup.gr) and Attica Group (www.attica-group.com).

DFDS Reports Passenger Growth, Freight Decline in February 2025

By | 2025 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

Freight Volumes

  • Total freight: 3.4 million lane metres (-3.6% YoY).
  • Regional performance:
    • North Sea: Lower automotive volumes, slowdown in food exports to the UK.
    • Mediterranean: Decreased capacity due to competition.
    • Channel: Decline mainly due to the leap year impact.
    • Baltic Sea & Strait of Gibraltar: Increased volumes.
  • Last 12 months: 41.4 million lane metres (+5.7% YoY).

Passenger Volumes

  • Total passengers: 286,000 (-13.6% YoY), adjusted growth of +4.1% after route sale.
  • Car volumes: 14.5% below 2024, adjusted decrease of 3.9%.
  • Growth areas: Higher volumes on the Strait of Gibraltar and Baltic Sea routes.
  • Last 12 months: 6.6 million passengers (+38.2% YoY, adjusted growth of 5.9%).

 More details: link to DFDS website

SHIPS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

RoPax PELAGOS sold by LA MÉRIDIONALE to Cypriot interests

The Genoa-based shipbroker Ferrando & Massone announced the sale of the RoPax vessel PELAGOS from the French owner LA MÉRIDIONALE, part of the CMA CGM group, to Cypriot operators with interests in the Red Sea, where the ship will most likely be employed.

Built by Cantiere Navale Visentini in 1997, PELAGOS measures 186 metres in length and 26 metres in width, offering a cargo capacity of 2,300 linear metres. The vessel is equipped with 72 cabins, accommodating 285 berths, along with 70 pullman seats, for a total passenger capacity of 370. It has a service speed of 21 knots.

Until a few weeks ago, PELAGOS was deployed on the Marseille – Tangier Med route. Before being acquired by LA MÉRIDIONALE in 2019, the vessel was owned by DFDS and operated under the name LIVERPOOL SEAWAYS.

Last year, LA MÉRIDIONALE ordered two RoPax ferries from China Merchants Jinling Weihai shipyard for delivery in 2027.

Magic Sea Ferries’ HSC MAGIC 2 Arrives in Greece

By | 2025 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

On 13 March 2025, Magic Sea Ferries’ new acquisition, HSC MAGIC 2, arrived at the port of Lavrion from Singapore, transported on the general cargo ship EEMSLIFT DAFNE. She was purchased in November 2024 and, along with her fleet mate HSC MAGIC 1, is one of the newest vessels in the Hellenic ferry fleet. With the addition of HSC MAGIC 2, Magic Sea Ferries will offer two daily departures from the Port of Piraeus to the Saronic Islands (Aegina, Poros).

HSC MAGIC 2 was built in Indonesia in 2024. She has a carrying capacity of 343 passengers and can operate at a service speed of 36 knots, with a maximum speed of 39 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

One Preferred Bidder Selected for New ACTV Ferry in Venice

By | 2025 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

San Giorgio del Porto and Piombino Industrie Marittime shipyards, together with Fincantieri SI, have been selected as the preferred and approved bidder in the tender launched last year by Venice-based ACTV to build a new 800 GT ferry for deployment in the lagoon. The budget for the project is EUR 21.8 million.

Several other shipbuilding groups also expressed interest during the initial stage of the tender process, including S&Y (Sea and Yachting), Baglietto, Palumbo Superyachts, QIM, Siman, Astilleros Armon, Ostseestal GmbH, and Kewatec Aluboat.

Molslinjen Adjusts Ferry Plans Due to Delays

By | 2025 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

Delays at the Turkish shipyard have disrupted Molslinjen’s deployment of two new electric ferries. As a result, ALSLINJEN must wait for its vessel, while SAMSØLINJEN will receive ALSLINJEN’s ferry, NERTHUS, now expected to enter service on June 16, 2025. Until then, FYNSHAV will operate with up to four daily double trips on peak days.

Molslinjen is also introducing a low-cost ticket scheme for SAMSØ, with fares starting at 99 kroner and peak season rates capped at 392 kroner for a regular car. The updated sailing schedule for SAMSØLINJEN was released today, March 14.

PORTS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

DP World Achieves Record $20 Billion Revenue in 2024

DP World reported record revenue of $20.0 billion for 2024, a 9.7% increase from the previous year, driven by strong performance in ports, terminals, and logistics. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $5.5 billion, with a margin of 27.2%. Despite a 2.0% drop in profit due to higher finance costs, DP World surpassed 100 million TEU capacity, reinforcing its position as a global trade leader. The company invested $2.2 billion in key growth markets and remains committed to sustainable supply chains, issuing a $100 million blue bond.

Read the full report: link to DP World website

Fourth Onshore Power Supply Project in Trelleborg

By | 2025 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

Actemium has been awarded a new assignment by the Port of Trelleborg to continue contributing to the port’s environmental transformation through a comprehensive Onshore Power Supply (OPS) project. This fourth OPS project includes the delivery and installation of new shore connections to ferry berths 10 and 11 as well as a significant modernisation of ferry berths 8 and 9.

The project is also an important part of the Port of Trelleborg’s environmental initiative “Baltic-Green-NET”, which has received EU co-financing. A large part of the energy will be produced locally by two new wind turbines.

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

Since 2 March, Small Cyclades Lines’ ferry EXPRESS SKOPELITIS has been undergoing her annual maintenance and refit at Panagiotakis Shipyards (Ambelakia, Salamis). This legendary ferry has been serving the Small Cyclades barren line (Naxos–Amorgos–Donousa–Koufonisi–Schoinoussa–Iraklia) since 1986, performing six weekly sailings year-round.

She is one of the most important vessels in the Greek ferry scene, having continuously served this route for nearly four decades. Built in Greece in 1986, EXPRESS SKOPELITIS has a carrying capacity of 340 passengers and 12 cars and operates at a service speed of 12.5 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

During a public meeting in Jersey DFDS has revealed some renderings of its new ferries.
As reported by local media Bailiwick Express, DFDS is balancing fleet renewal with its pricing strategy, ensuring both competitiveness and service improvements.
These new vessels could significantly enhance connectivity for passengers and freight alike.