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2025 Newsletter week 14

Apr 06
3

FINANCE

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AS Tallink Grupp: Outlook Optimistic After Though Q1

Q1, 2025

-12% passengers (970,359)

-32% cargo units (57,830)

-11% passenger vehicles (135,829)

  • Q1 passenger numbers reflect the state of the economies in Tallink’s core markets with low consumer confidence.
  • Four vessels were out of service.
  • A large-scale dry-docking had an impact on passenger numbers.
  • A significant factor was also the timing of Easter, which fell in March last year and resulted in tens of thousands more passengers during the same period.
Apr 06
3

SHIPS

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Christmas 2029: Two New Interislander Ferries for New Zealand

Big news from Minister Winston Peters: New Zealand is set to welcome two new state-of-the-art Interislander ferries by Christmas 2029, offering a crucial upgrade to Cook Strait transport – for both passengers and freight.

This is a politically sensitive project, following the cancellation of the iReX programme and the decision to build two new ferries at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.

Key takeaways of the new project:

  • RoPax train ferries, 200m LOA, 28m wide (longer and wider than current fleet, but smaller than iRex)
  • Capacity for 1,500 passengers, 2,400 lane metres of RoRo deck, and 40 rail wagons
  • Cost-effective infrastructure: existing terminals will be reused wherever possible, with smarter upgrades in Picton and Wellington
  • A focus on affordability, reliability, and simplicity – a more pragmatic approach compared to the cancelled iReX project
  • The road and rail marshalling yards will be modestly modified, not completely rebuilt as previously planned
  • The terminal buildings in both Wellington and Picton will remain as they are today

Quotes

“While some may regret the absence of a Taj Mahal in Picton and the Sydney Opera House in Wellington, the people paying their taxes will not.”

Minister Winston Peters

 Next steps: the Ferry Holdings Ltd board will shortlist shipyards to compete on price and quality, with a ferry contract awarded later this year. Ferry Holdings will also work with Port Marlborough, CentrePort and KiwiRail to finalise the scope, progress engineering, strengthen the delivery programme and agree co-funding terms.

Speech delivered by Minister for Rail Winston Peters in the Legislative Council Chamber, Parliament, to media at the announcement of the decision on the future of the interisland ferries: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/rail-ferries-and-straightforward-infrastructure

Apr 06
3

Disappointment for BC Ferries: 4, not 5 ships

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The BC Ferry Commission has approved the procurement of four new vessels—not the five BC Ferries had proposed.

That missing ship could mean longer waits, fewer sailings, and rising fare pressures in the years ahead.

“We’re disappointed,” said CEO Nicolas Jimenez. “We had a cost-effective plan to build capacity and resilience now. This decision risks missing a crucial opportunity to meet growing demand affordably.”

BC Ferries warns that the current shipbuilding conditions won’t last, and delaying the fifth vessel will likely cost more—financially and in service reliability.

The company now shifts focus to delivering four vessels while reassessing how to serve a growing population with mounting expectations.

Commissioner Eva Hage authorised the replacement of the ferry fleet’s four oldest major vessels: QUEEN OF ALBERNI, QUEEN OF NEW WESTMINSTER, QUEEN OF COQUITLAM and QUEEN OF COWICHAN.

BC Ferries is currently in the middle of a transparent, competitive global procurement process to select the highest quality, most affordable bid for the shipyard that will build the New Major Vessels. This process is expected to complete by early summer.

Apr 06
3

Stena Line Unveils Fuel-Efficient Concept Ship ‘STENA FUTURO’

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Stena Line has introduced STENA FUTURO, a next-generation RoRo concept ship designed to significantly cut fuel consumption and emissions. With a 240-metre length, it is tailored for transporting semi-trailers and cars.

Thanks to optimised hull design, streamlined structure, and hybrid propulsion, STENA FUTURO is expected to reduce energy use by over 20%. It will feature battery support, low-fuel engines compatible with various fuels, solar panels, and an air lubrication system to minimise water resistance. A waste heat recovery system will reuse exhaust energy.

Notably, the design includes four 40-metre wing sails, which recent tests showed could provide up to 15% additional fuel savings.

Stena Line aims to cut CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030, and STENA FUTURO marks a significant step in its sustainability journey.

Apr 06
3

Tallink Sells STAR I to Irish Continental Group and Replaces Her with SUPERFAST IX

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Tallink has announced the sale of its ferry STAR I to Irish Continental Group (Irish Ferries). The vessel, previously operating on the Paldiski–Kapellskär route, will be replaced by SUPERFAST IX, which returns to service on April 12.

SUPERFAST IX had spent the past 15 years on a long-term charter in Canada, operating between Newfoundland and Sydney, Nova Scotia. It is currently undergoing preparations and repainting ahead of its deployment.

STAR I had already been on charter to Irish Ferries from June 2023 to February 2025, sailing under the names OSCAR WILDE and later JAMES JOYCE.

As JAMES JOYCE the ferry will enter service on the Dublin / Holyhead route during May.

Apr 06
3

Malta to Issue Tender for New Gozo Ferry by Summer

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The government of Malta plans to issue a tender for a new Gozo Channel ferry by mid-2025, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri announced in parliament on Tuesday. The vessel will be built to Gozo Channel specifications and replace the leased Greek-owned Nikolaus, which has been in service since 2019 as a temporary solution.

Three of the four ferries currently serving the Ċirkewwa–Mġarr route are state-owned.

Shadow Minister for Gozo Alex Borg called for a broader strategy, urging investment in a new, environmentally compliant fleet using EU funds. He also proposed studying the need for a fifth vessel dedicated to freight transport.

Apr 06
3

Molslinjen Electric Ferries Delayed, Shuffles Fleet Ahead of Summer Season

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Molslinjen’s two new electric ferries, originally destined for Alslinjen and Samsølinjen, have been delayed at the shipyard in Turkey, prompting a reshuffle of the operator’s fleet ahead of the busy summer season.

The delay means that Alslinjen will have to wait for its own electric vessel. Instead, the electric ferry originally planned for Alslinjen will be temporarily deployed on the Samsølinjen route to ensure operational continuity.

To support the Alslinjen route between Bøjden and Fynshav, MERCANDIA IV from the Øresund Line will be brought in.

MERCANDIA IV will remain on the route from 23 May until August 31, 2025.

In September, ferry FRIGG will operate alone, until the electric ferry NERTHUS takes over service from October 1, 2025.

Apr 06
3

PEOPLE

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A New MD for Africa Morocco Link

Rachid Houari has been appointed to lead ferry operations in the Strait of Gibraltar as the new Directeur Général (Managing Director) for Africa Morocco Link (AML).

Rachid has done his Bsc in shipping operations in Southampton, his MBA at ENPC Paris, and has more than 25 years of maritime experience in ferry, RoRo, and port operations in the shipping sector between Morocco and Spain.

Most recently, he held the position of Managing Director for three logistics zones companies within the Tangier Med Group, where he previously also had responsibilities for both port and ferry operations.

As Managing Director for AML in Morocco, Rachid will be responsible for managing the two freight and travel routes between Tanger Med and Algeciras, as well as the highspeed route between Tanger Ville and Tarifa.

Apr 06
3

PORTS

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GNV Officially Announced Its Debut Into The Algerian Market

GNV, part of the MSC Group, has announced its strategic entry into the Algerian market — what was expected and has now been confirmed. This move further strengthens the company’s presence in the Maghreb region and expands its international service offering in the Mediterranean.

The Company will add two weekly connections to Algeria to its 2025 schedule, starting from June 3 and until September 30 : Sète – Algiers and Sète – Bejaia , with a weekly frequency.

The ship will be the FANTASTIC. She will operate on all routes, offering onboard services tailored to the needs of the North African market. Passengers will be able to enjoy halal cuisine, a prayer room and areas dedicated to families.

Here is a list of ferry operators serving routes between Europe and Algeria:

  • Corsica Linea: Marseille to Algiers and Béjaïa. ​
  • Algérie Ferries: Marseille to Algerian ports such as Algiers, Oran, Béjaïa, and Skikda. ​
  • Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea: Almería to Oran and Ghazaouet. ​
  • Baleària: Valencia to Mostaganem and Oran, and from Barcelona to Algiers. ​
  • Nouris Elbahr Ferries: Marseille or Alicante to Algiers and Béjaïa. ​
  • L’Aures Ferries: Plans to operate routes connecting Sète (France) to Algerian ports.
  • GNV to start Sète to Algiers and Bejaia.
Apr 06
3

Major Investment for CLdN’s Killingholme Terminal

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CLdN has announced a multi-million-pound upgrade to its Killingholme terminal on the River Humber, boosting capacity and sustainability for North Sea freight services.

Planned for completion in the second half of 2026, this investment will:

  • Reconfigure cargo handling operations
  • Increase storage and handling capacity for all cargo types
  • Introduce 5 electric RTG cranes, replacing part of the diesel fleet – cutting the terminal’s carbon footprint by 5-10%

This strategic move supports CLdN’s growing connections between Killingholme and its terminals in Zeebrugge and Rotterdam, key gateways to Ireland, Scandinavia and Iberia.

“This investment signals our strong commitment to UK port infrastructure and further decarbonising operations. Killingholme is a vital hub connecting the North of England with mainland Europe.”

– Florent Maes, CEO of CLdN