The fast ferry FJORD FSTR can now connect directly to shore power when the catamaran is docked in Hirtshals. This step reduces CO₂ emissions and noise in the port area, and strengthens the Port of Hirtshals’ green infrastructure.
Source: Hirtshals Havn on Linkedin
December 1, the French Senate’s right-wing majority adopted an amendment to the 2026 budget that introduces a new tax on international cruise ships: €15 per passenger for every call in a French port. Based on the “polluter pays” principle, the measure is expected to generate around €75 million per year.
However, France’s Minister for Public Accounts, Amélie de Montchalin, expressed her opposition. She argued that the text does not clearly distinguish cruise ships from ferries, which could lead to unintended consequences — notably for services to Corsica and routes to and from the UK.
The Senate vote is not final. The Finance Bill still has to pass through the rest of the parliamentary process until at least mid-December. We will then see whether the tax is approved — or dropped along the way.
Viking Line is supporting three organisations working to protect the Baltic Sea: the John Nurminen Foundation, the University of Helsinki’s Tvärminne Zoological Station, and the Baltic Sea Action Group.
The donation comes from proceeds of plastic bag sales on board and complements the company’s long-term environmental efforts, including a major increase in biogas use this year.
Full story: Viking Line
On 4 December 2025, ANDROS KING (ex VOLCAN DE TABURIENTE) of Golden Star Ferries left her dry dock at Perama (Piraeus II), where part of her extensive refit has been carried out.
Over the past 20 days, she has had her propeller shafts and bow thrusters installed, while the old antifouling coatings were removed and replaced with fresh paint. Her hull was also treated with silicone paint, and significant work on her interior is ongoing.
ANDROS KING is expected to enter service in March 2026. Built in Spain in 2006, she has capacity for 1,500 passengers and 1,200 lane metres.
Photo: Tasos Papanastasiou
Latest investment at the Port of Oulu completed: the shore ramp has been widened, enabling more efficient RoRo operations with the Wallenius SOL “Enablers”, as it is now possible to operate using all three ramps on the vessel.
Source: Port of Oulu on Linkedin
Veteran ferry WASA EXPRESS (1981) arrived in Algeciras on 3 December, coming from Safaga, Egypt. The vessel has been chartered by Africa Morrocco Link.
Photo: Tony Davies
Sunday 30 November HAVILA POLARIS departed Bergen on what is set to become its first climate-neutral voyage along the Norwegian coastal route.
For this 12-day round coastal voyage, HAVILA POLARIS has been fuelled with 350 cubic metres of biogas. This volume is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 90%, demonstrating that significantly cleaner coastal shipping is already possible with today’s technology.
Havila Voyages will report the final emission results once the round trip is completed.
