CLdN has published its 2024 fleet emission data, confirming its position as the most carbon-efficient short sea operator (according to its press release).
The company says it achieved a weighted average of 37g CO₂/tonne-km, down from 39g in 2023. “This performance is 9% better than its nearest competitor, over 30% better than the peer group average, and twice as efficient as road transport by heavy goods vehicle.
CLdN’s results reflect significant investment in larger, fuel-efficient RoRo ships and eco-upgrades of existing vessels, with EUR 750 million invested over the past decade. The fleet now includes more than 30 ships, with an average age of 14 years, compared to the peer group average of 18 years
COO Gary Walker said: “High-efficiency ships combined with proactive operational management continue to position CLdN as a leader. With the arrival of our new hybrid vessels CHAUMINE and LEONINE, we are confident we will drive emissions per tonne down further.”
More information will be available in CLdN’s upcoming Carbon Report.
Source: CLdN
Work has officially begun on seven new loch-class electric ferries for Scotland’s island communities, following the steel-cutting ceremony at Remontowa Shipbuilding in Gdańsk, Poland.
The Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP) will deliver seven fully electric ferries in this first phase, a £160 million investment from the Scottish Government. The shipbuilding contract is valued at £147.5 million. Delivery of the first vessel is expected in 2027.
The new ferries will serve routes including Colintraive–Rhubodach, Lochaline–Fishnish, Tarbert–Portavadie, Iona–Fionnphort, Sconser–Raasay, Tobermory–Kilchoan and Tayinloan–Gigha. Through cascading, the Largs–Cumbrae and Oban–Lismore routes will also benefit.
Rendering: Navalue
SVRP steel cutting – Mr Andzej Aksman, Project Director at Rementowa Shipbuilding with Kevin Hobbs, CEO of CMAL
Corsica Ferries has revived its long-awaited RoPax newbuilding programme, with tenders now underway. The project, first unveiled in 2018 for the company’s 50th anniversary but shelved during the pandemic, has been reworked by NAOS Ship & Boat Design.
The new “Bastia-max” class is designed for Bastia port flexibility. Key specifications are: length 180 metres, capacity for 500 cars, 500 cabins and 2,200 passengers. Options for a second and third unit are also included.
Potential builders in China are Guangzhou Shipyard International (CSSC), China Merchants Industry, Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) and Wuhu Shipyard.
Corsica Ferries, controlled by Pierre Mattei, currently owns 11 ferries: the RoRo ROSA DEI VENTI (on long-term charter to Grendi), and ten RoPax units including PASCAL LOTA (2008), MEGA EXPRESS (2001), MEGA EXPRESS TWO (2001), MEGA EXPRESS THREE (2001), MEGA EXPRESS FOUR (1995), MEGA EXPRESS FIVE (1993), MEGA ANDREA (1986), MEGA SMERALDA (1985), MEGA REGINA (1985) and MEGA VICTORIA (1988).
Golden Star Ferries’ HSC GOLDEN PRINCESS (ex-GOTLANDIA II) is currently undergoing sea trials in the Saronic Gulf before entering service in Hellenic Coastal Shipping. The vessel is expected to replace her fleetmate HSC SUPEREXPRESS. She was purchased from Swedish owner Gotlandsbolaget AB in May 2023 and was built in Italy in 2006. The ship has a capacity of 900 passengers and 160 cars, and she will operate at 32 knots.
Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos
The competitive battle between Italy’s Grimaldi Euromed and Denmark’s DFDS on the Istanbul–Trieste ro-ro route has entered a new phase.
DFDS has just redelivered the RoRo POL STELLA from charter (see next article).
At the same time, Grimaldi will deploy a fourth vessel on the line from next week, further boosting capacity.
The additional ship is EUROCARGO ROMA, a 200-metre vessel with capacity for 4,000 lane metres (around 280 semi-trailers and 200 cars). It will join three “Eco” series ships, each offering 7,800 lane metres (over 500 semi-trailers).
A new RoRo service directly connecting Marseille with Türkiye will begin on 1 October, operated by Turkish company UGR Roro. The vessel deployed will be POL STELLA, which was just redelivered by DFDS on 23 September. This service will be a direct competitor for DFDS in Sète (170 km by road from Marseille).
POL STELLA is owned by Polish Ocean Lines, and was on charter to DFDS.
FRANCESCO NULLO, also owned by Polish Ocean Lines, is currently on charter to DFDS too. She operates on the Trieste – Martas route.
