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2025 Newsletter week 25

Jun 27
3

Norway: ZERO* Criticises Lack of Emissions and Safety Requirements in New Ferry Contracts

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  • Elise Caspersen of ZERO warns that Nordland still operates many outdated ferries.
  • New contracts are often awarded without emission or vessel age requirements, raising concerns over safety and sustainability.
  • ZERO argues that ferry renewal is not just about emissions:

Reliability boosts coastal economic development.

  • New vessels improve conditions for crew, aiding recruitment.
  • Safe ferries are critical for coastal emergency preparedness.
  • The proposed solution:
    • Long-term contracts to support investment.
    • Early dialogue between counties and suppliers.
    • Support schemes to offset the higher cost of zero-emission technology.
    • A clear political will for fleet renewal.

(*) ZERO (Miljøstiftelsen ZERO) is a Norwegian environmental foundation focused on cutting greenhouse gas emissions through zero-emission solutions.

ZERO Stands for Zero Emission Resource Organisation

Photo Knut Neerland/ZERO and Source

Jun 20
3

STENA FORETELLER Heads Home After Major Conversion

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Stena RoRo has taken delivery of STENA FORETELLER from CMI Weihai Shipyard in China. The vessel is now en route to Europe, where it will replace STENA FORERUNNER, set to undergo a similar transformation.

This spring, Stena RoRo led the extensive conversion of STENA FORETELLER. Operated by Stena Line, the vessel will join the Europort (Rotterdam) – Immingham route in mid-July.

A key upgrade? The addition of a fourth cargo deck, boosting capacity by 30% and increasing lane metres from 3,000 to 4,000. This means significantly improved efficiency and reduced emissions per unit load.

Jun 20
3

Echandia Battery System Powers New Molslinjen Ferry

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  • Echandia has delivered a 3.1 MWh LTO battery system to Molslinjen’s new electric ferry NERTHUS.
  • The vessel arrived in Kalundborg this week after a three-week voyage from Cemre Shipyard in Turkey.
  • NERTHUS started operations on 16 June between Ballen (Samsø) and Kalundborg.
  • It is the first of two electric ferries commissioned by MOLSLINJEN.

Key Features of the Battery System:

  • Lithium-titanate oxide (LTO) chemistry
  • Service life >12 years
  • High charge capability and long lifespan
  • Lower operational risk and higher cost-efficiency

NERTHUS strengthens capacity on the busy summer route and supports regional decarbonisation.

Jun 20
3

Finnlines Refreshes Star-Class Vessels Ahead of Summer 2025

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Finnlines has completed a major refurbishment of its Star-class freight-passenger vessels FINNSTAR, FINNLADY, and FINNMAID, operating between Helsinki and Travemünde. The upgrades focus on passenger comfort, with newly renovated cafés, lounges, and exterior terraces offering a modern, relaxed atmosphere.

The Vista Lounge now features soft seating and sea-view sofas, while the Café & Terrace area has been updated with new furniture, sheltered teak decking, and a refreshed menu. Interiors have been redesigned with soft blues and natural wood finishes for a calm, seaside feel.

Looking ahead, Finnlines will introduce three new Hansa Superstar-class vessels on the Finland–Germany route between 2028 and 2029. The current Star-class ships will be redeployed elsewhere in the network.

Jun 20
3

Brine-Based System Tackles EV Fires on RoPax Ships

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KNUD E. HANSEN and Skansi Offshore have developed a new brine-based firefighting system, now operational aboard NORRÖNA on the world’s longest RoPax route. The low-tech, environmentally friendly solution injects cold brine directly into electric vehicles during a fire, cooling battery cells and suppressing thermal runaway from within.

The system successfully extinguished a full-scale EV fire during tests in under one hour and will be installed on two new RoRo vessels. It can be retrofitted with minimal modification.

More at knudehansen.com

(Brine is a mixture of water and a high concentration of salt)

Jun 20
3

Ekeri Achieves Carbon-Neutral Trailer Transport via Wasaline

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Trailer manufacturer Ekeri and shipping company Wasaline have completed their first fully carbon-neutral trailer transport from Vaasa, Finland to southern Sweden. The achievement combines Wasaline’s emission-free ferry service with intermodal rail transport via Umeå, offering a sustainable logistics chain from port to destination.

All Ekeri trailers shipped with Wasaline now use battery-powered freight capacity, further reducing emissions. “Intermodal transport is the future of efficient, sustainable freight,” says Tony Ehrs, Freight Director at Wasaline.

Green logistics capacity remains available.
www.wasaline.com

Jun 20
3

RINA Acquires Finland-Based Foreship

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RINA, the multinational engineering consultancy, inspection, and certification group based in Genoa (Italy), has announced the acquisition of the entire share capital of Foreship from Vaaka Partners and the company’s management team. Foreship is a Finnish company specialising in naval architecture and marine engineering.

The acquisition marks a further expansion of RINA’s global marine engineering consultancy offering and strengthens its presence in Northern Europe.

Foreship, which reported revenues of EUR 15.2 million in 2024, is headquartered in Helsinki and employs over 90 professionals across eight offices worldwide, including in the USA, UK, and Estonia. The company is best known for its high-profile work in cruise ship design, energy-efficient vessel innovations, and sustainable marine technologies. Its distinctive expertise in naval architecture offers strong synergies with RINA Consulting and creates opportunities to grow market share, particularly in complex retrofits, new fuel integrations, and digital transformation.

Photo: From left to right: Petrus Blomqvist, Partner at Vaaka; Lauri Haavisto, CEO of Foreship; Markus Aarnio, Chief Naval Architect at Foreship; Carlo Luzzatto, CEO of RINA.

Jun 20
3

Saint-Malo Ferry Terminal Works Underway

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  • Construction of the new maritime station at Saint-Malo (Terminal du Naye) started in late April.
  • Site preparation is ongoing, including network relocation and service moves.
  • Demolition work will begin shortly.
  • The current terminal remains operational throughout summer and during the full construction period.
  • A temporary car park will open in September 2025 to maintain user access.
Jun 20
3

Brittany Ferries Reinstates Winter Poole–Cherbourg Service

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  • Brittany Ferries will operate a daily passenger and freight service between Poole and Cherbourg from 14 December 2025 to 29 March 2026.
  • The route will be served by COMMODORE CLIPPER during the winter period.
  • From 29 March 2026, BARFLEUR will resume service on the route.

Key Points:

  • Confirms Brittany Ferries’ long-term commitment to the Port of Poole.
  • Supports resilient year-round UK–France maritime connectivity.
  • Aims to bolster the regional economy and maintain vital cross-Channel links.

New Rail-Ferry Freight Link:

  • Poole to become UK hub for Brittany Ferries’ new Bayonne–Cherbourg–Poole freight corridor.
  • First rail-connected trailers expected this month.

Source: Poole Harbour Commissioners

Jun 20
3

Third PΕΝΕΝ Strike on Adriatic Routes Declared Illegal

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On 18 June 2025, the Piraeus Single-Member Court of First Instance declared the latest strike by the Greek seafarers’ union PΕΝΕΝ illegal. The industrial action targeted ATTICA GROUP’s Adriatic services under the Superfast brand and follows two previous strikes that were also ruled unlawful, along with a separate strike by the Patras Labour Centre.

ATTICA GROUP, which employs Greek crews, stated it is suffering significant damage due to what it described as PΕΝΕΝ’s “systematic illegal behaviour.” The company announced it will seek civil and criminal liability against the union, its leadership, and members. Efforts are being made to assist hundreds of affected passengers.