Category

2025 Newsletter week 20

May 17
3

A New Polish Joint Venture: PolSca Ferries

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

The collaboration between competitors Polferries, Unity Line, and EuroAfrica Shipping Lines seeks to strengthen Poland’s position in the maritime transport sector between Poland and Scandinavia.

A new joint venture has been created: PolSca Baltic Ferries.

Arkadiusz Marchewka, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure responsible for the maritime economy said during a ceremony on Friday 16 May that the country has an ambitious plan to strengthen the position of the Polish ferries against a growing competition. “We have to make up for the time lost in recent years.”

Fleet Expansion: The venture plans to operate with an initial fleet of 10 ferries, with three additional vessels under construction at Remontowa Shiprepair Yard in Gdańsk.

Unity Line

  • Unity Line is operated by state-owned Polska Żegluga Morska and the private Euroafrica Shipping Lines (a Hass Holdings company) Both companies have three ferries.
  • Routes: Świnoujście-Ystad and Świnoujście-Trelleborg

Polferries

  • Polferries is operated by Polska Żegluga Bałtycka, and has 4 ferries in the Baltic (and 1 on charter in the Med).
  • Routes: Świnoujście-Ystad line and Gdańsk-Nynashamn.

Three new ferries are under construction. The first one will be JANTAR UNITY, to be delivered later this year, and to be the first one with the new branding.

New routes / destinations will be announced.

Corporate:

  • PolSca is to operate as a joint-stock company, with three entities as equal shareholders: PŻM, EuroAfrica Shipping Lines and PŻB.
  • Headquarters: Świnoujście
May 17
3

FACTS, FIGURES AND MORE

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

Scandlines Sharpened its Competitiveness in 2024

 Revenue: EUR 465 million, stable compared to previous year (466 million)

  • EBITDA: 181 million (↗ from 179 million)
  • EBIT: 149 million (↗ from 145 million)
  • Profit before tax: EUR 125 million (↗ or 122 million in 2023)
  • Investments: EUR 42 million, including major progress towards our zero direct emissions ambition
  • Revenue BorderShops ↘ (EUR 88 million against EUR 97 million) as currency developments reduced the incentive for Swedish customers to make use of the group’s shopping travel offering.
  • Sustainability: Construction of a zero direct emissions freight ferry is on track for commissioning in 2025; preparations for the conversion of two ferries to plug-in hybrid operations have advanced.
  • 4 million pax
  • 6 million cars
  • 693k trucks

Outlook

  • Continued focus on strengthening ferry operations, port infrastructure, and BorderShops in Puttgarden and Rostock.
  • Efficiency improvements, including automation and targeted commercial efforts, to enhance capacity utilisation and competitiveness.
  • Anticipated growth in leisure traffic and a return to freight volume increases from 2025 onwards.
  • Ongoing investments in green technology, highlighted by the upcoming deployment of a zero direct emission freight ferry.
  • Stable financial outlook supported by operational efficiency, with a long-term commitment to fair competition post-Fehmarn Belt fixed link.
May 17
3

Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö: Improvement in Q1 2025

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

The interim report for the period 1 January – 31 March 2025 highlights several key achievements and financial developments for Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö:

Operational Highlights:

  • Record Cargo Volume: 52,753 cargo units transported, a 33% increase from Q1 2024 (39,759) – the highest in a single quarter.
  • Passenger Growth: 545,534 passengers, up 15% from 473,325 in Q1 2024 – a new first-quarter record.
  • Market Share Gains:
    • Finland–Estonia route: 30% passenger market share (up from 24%) and 48% cargo market share (up from 33%).
    • Åland–Sweden route: passenger market share estimated at over 80%.
  • Fleet Operations: Three vessels operated continuously, except for FINBO CARGO’s dry-docking in late December to early January. TRANSPORTER remains chartered to DFDS.

Financial Performance:

  • Sales: €42.7 million, up 18% from €36.3 million in Q1 2024.
  • Operating Result (EBIT): Improved by €1.5 million to -€2.8 million (from -€4.3 million).
  • Net Result: -€2.1 million (improved from -€4.0 million). After adjusting for pandemic support and the 2024 sale of SHIPPER, the underlying result improved by €3.5 million.
  • Cost Increases: Operating costs rose 5% to €46.0 million, mainly due to increased personnel expenses from more vessel departures.
  • Net Financial Items: €0.2 million (improved from -€0.7 million).

Outlook for 2025:

The company expects a stable result despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

Read more: https://rederiabeckero.ax/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Interim-report-31-03-2025.pdf

May 17
3

DFDS April 2025 Report: Easter Timing Is Good for Passenger Numbers

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

This year Easter holidays fell in April (last year in March). In general, this decreases freight volumes and increases passenger volumes.

RoRo – freight:

  • Total volumes in April 2025 of 3.5m lane metres were 0.7% below 2024 and down 2.5% adjusted for route changes. YTD growth rates were -0.4% and -1.0%, respectively.
  • North Sea volumes were below 2024 following primarily a dip in automotive volumes between Germany and the UK.
  • Mediterranean volumes were above 2024 driven by mainly a shift of road volumes to ferry, a capacity increase between Tunisia and France, and the opening of a new route between Egypt and Italy.
  • Channel volumes were below 2024 due to mainly the Easter timing difference.
  • Baltic Sea volumes were below 2024 driven mostly by a temporary capacity reduction on one route following tonnage changes.
  • Strait of Gibraltar volumes were above 2024.
  • For the last twelve months 2025-24, the total transported freight lane metres increased 4.6% to 41.4m from 39.6m in 2024-23. The increase was 0.7% adjusted for route changes.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers in April 2025 was adjusted for route changes* up 15.1% to 432k vs 2024 and the adjusted YTD growth rate was -3.2%.
  • The monthly increase was driven by mainly the Easter timing difference.
  • The number of cars in April was 13.0% above 2024 adjusted for route changes.
  • For the last twelve months 2025-24, the total number of passengers increased 15.9% to 5.9m compared to 5.1m for 2024-23. The increase was 3.7% adjusted for route changes.

*Adjusted for sale of Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen end October 2025, Tarifa-Tanger Ville due to considerable capacity changes ahead of exit from route early May 2025, and addition of Jersey routes from end March 2025.

May 17
3

Significantly Better Q1 Financial Results for Port and Ferry Operator Tallinna Sadam Group

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

In Q1 of 2025, Tallinna Sadam group showed growth. Tallinna Sadam is one of the largest cargo- and passenger port complexes in the Baltic Sea region. In addition to passenger and freight services, Tallinna Sadam group also operates in shipping business via its subsidiaries – OÜ TS Laevad provides ferry services between the Estonian mainland, and others

Ferry business was stabile – although the number of passengers decreased by –2.1%, the number of vehicles increased by +2.1%.

“We are satisfied with the results of the first quarter. Although we see a slight decrease in the number of passengers and cargo volumes, the financial results are significantly better than last year.” Valdo Kalm, Chairman of the Management Board.

Click on table below to read more:

May 17
3

SHIPS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

Washington State Ferries Gets Only Two Bids for the Newbuildings

Only two U.S. shipyards submitted bids on Monday 12 May to build a new generation of up to five new, “hybrid-electric 160-auto ferries” for Washington State Ferries.

The yards are Eastern Shipbuilding Group of Panama City, Florida and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Freeland, Washington.

A contract is expected to be awarded this summer.

A good article in the Washington State Standard explains the discrepancy between the budget set aside (1.3 billion USD) and the costs which are expected to rise considerably.

“I don’t see how you get to five. There’s money for three on a good day,” said state House Transportation Committee Chair Jake Fey, D-Tacoma.

Read the full article here: https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/05/12/washington-state-ferry-bids/

May 17
3

SUPERSTAR II on the Piraeus – Eastern Aegean Run for the 2025 Summer Season

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

Seajets is set to deploy the SUPERSTAR II (ex-COLOR VIKING) on the Piraeus–Mykonos–Ikaria–Samos route during the 2025 summer season, with an extension to Patmos–Leros–Kalymnos twice a week. The service will begin on June 14 and, according to Seajets’ plans, will run until October 30, 2025.

The vessel was purchased from Color Line at the end of November 2022 and delivered in February 2023.

May 17
3

ARIADNE Reassigned to the North Aegean Route

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

It is reported that Attica Group will replace NISSOS RODOS with ARIADNE on the Piraeus–Chios–Mytilene route for the 2025 summer season. The ship is expected to enter service at the end of May, offering additional cabin capacity to passengers during the peak season. Furthermore, Attica will introduce a new Saturday day sailing on this route.

ARIADNE will be replaced on her Patras–Ancona route by the fully renovated SUPERFAST IV.

May 17
3

PORTS AND ROUTES

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

Baleària Criticises Ibiza Car Access Plan for Lack of Preparation

Just weeks before Ibiza’s planned vehicle access restrictions take effect on 1 June, Baleària warns that the necessary systems—such as a reservation platform, legal framework, and enforcement methods—are still not in place. The ferry company, while supporting the goal of reducing road congestion, has filed for a suspension of the measure, criticising the Island Council’s poor planning and arguing that cars arriving by boat only account for 1.5% of Ibiza’s vehicle fleet during summer.

May 17
3

CLdN to Increase Capacity on Liverpool-Dublin Route by 25%

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

CLdN announced a 25% capacity increase on its Liverpool – Dublin service. The increase will be achieved through the deployment of 4-deck, 3,700-lane-metres RoRo vessels.

  • Environmental benefits: larger ships will reduce customers’ CO2 emissions per tonne of transported cargo by up to 50%.
  • The new, scalable schedule comprises 24 return sailings per week and will operate between CLdN’s recently refurbished Brocklebank Dock terminal in the Port of Liverpool and the Port of Dublin.
  • The capacity increase is a direct benefit of the recently completed expansion and refurbishment of the Liverpool terminal.
  • CLdN carries more than 200.000 freight units on the route every year.