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2025 Newsletter week 51

Dec 19
3

DP World Starts RoRo Service Between Dubai and Iraq

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DP World has launched a new 36-hour maritime service with the former P&O Ferries vessel NORBANK.

Renamed DP WORLD EXPRESS, the freight ferry sails between Dubai and Iraq, providing a faster alternative to overland trucking and accommodating up to 145 accompanied trailers per sailing.

The ceremony brought together senior UAE and Iraqi officials including H.E. Dr. Muzaffar Mustafa Al-Jubouri, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq; H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & CEO, DP World; Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs; Brigadier Nabil Mohammed Algergawi, Assistant Director General – Sea & Land Ports Affairs, GDRFA; Dr. Emad Ali Al-Azzawi, Acting Consul General of the Republic of Iraq; Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World GCC; and Shahab Al Jassmi, Chief Commercial Officer – Ports & Terminals, DP World GCC.

The vessel will transport non-containerised, full trailer units with drivers travelling on board, providing customers a direct and secure door-to-door solution between the UAE and Iraq. (Mina Rashid – Umm Qasr Port)

It will also facilitate onward transit to neighbouring countries, improve reliability and reduce cross-border complexities.

Source: DP World

Dec 19
3

Case of Potential Cyber-Attack Emerges on GNV Ferry FANTASTIC

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A case of suspected cyber intrusion has emerged aboard the GNV-operated ferry FANTASTIC in the port of Sète, leading to arrests, an intelligence-led investigation, and concerns over possible state-backed interference.

Italian authorities alerted France after a remote-access malware was discovered on the vessel. The ship’s operating system is believed to have been infected with a Remote Access Trojan (RAT), a type of malware that allows hackers to gain unauthorised remote control of a system.

Two crew members — one Latvian and one Bulgarian — were detained last week after being flagged by Italian authorities. The Bulgarian national was released, while the Latvian was charged and remains in custody. The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into a suspected attempt “by an organised group to attack an automated data-processing system, with the aim of serving the interests of a foreign power”.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the incident as “a very serious matter” and confirmed that investigators are examining the possibility of foreign interference, according to reports. While not explicitly naming Russia, he stated: “These days, one country is very often behind foreign interference.”

Photo Jordiferrer Wikipedia

Dec 19
3

DFDS RoRo CAPPADOCIA SEAWAYS Sold to Salamis Lines

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On 9 December 2025, RoRo CAPPADOCIA SEAWAYS arrived at the Perama repair zone following her purchase in November 2025 by Cyprus-based Salamis Lines.

The vessel served DFDS for 23 years and was sold as part of the Danish operator’s fleet modernisation programme. She has been renamed PATRIS and will become the largest vessel ever operated by the Cypriot shipping company.

The ship is intended for deployment on the Greece (Lavrion) – Cyprus (Limassol) – Israel (Haifa) route. Built in Germany in 2002, she offers 2,772 lane metres of capacity (approximately 177 trailers) and will operate at 21.5 knots.

Dec 19
3

RoRo STORNO Sold for Scrap

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On 17 November 2025, RoRo STORNO (ex PELAGITIS, ATLANTIC FREIGHTER) arrived at the Aliaga scrapyard in Turkey, having been sold for demolition.

The vessel was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, in 1978. She operated on North Aegean and Crete routes for Ainaftis for 15 years (2010–2025) under the name PELAGITIS.

Photo: Dimitris Mendakis

Dec 19
3

Corsica Linea And Elyse Energy Partner On e-Methanol Corridor

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CORSICA LINEA and Elyse Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate e-methanol production and develop a green maritime corridor between Corsica and mainland France

The partnership supports Corsica Linea’s target to cut CO₂ emissions by 40% by 2030, with e-methanol identified as a suitable low-carbon fuel for Mediterranean operations, both at sea and in port.

Supply is expected from Elyse Energy’s integrated French production chain, combining the eM-Rhône production site and the NeoCarb industrial port hub at Fos-sur-Mer, with first deliveries targeted from 2030.

Photo: Signature with Ludovic Izoird, Executive Managing Director of Elyse Energy, and Pierre-Antoine Villanova, CEO Corsica Linea, onboard DANIELLE CASANOVA

Dec 19
3

GNV ANTARES Arrives in Aliaga for Dismantling

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As part of its announced fleet renovation plan, the ageing ferry GNV ANTARES has left the MSC-controlled ferry company.

The vessel departed the port of Durrës in Albania and arrived this week in Turkey. She is currently anchored off Aliaga, where dismantling will take place.

In recent months, the ferry had already changed flag, switching from Italian to Portuguese, under the Madeira registry.

GNV ANTARES was purchased by the MSC Group in 2021 from P&O Ferries. She was built in 1987 by Japanese shipyard NKK in Tsurumi.

Photo: Wikimedia

Dec 19
3

DFDS and CLdN Extend Zeebrugge–Gothenburg Space Charter Agreement

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DFDS and CLdN have agreed to extend their space charter agreement on the Zeebrugge–Gothenburg route by five years.

CLdN announed the increase of freight capacity by adding one of the 8,000 lane metre “G9” ships.

Key points:

  • Five-year extension of the existing space charter agreement.
  • Increased freight capacity through additional lane metres (by using one of the 8,000 lane metre CLdN vessels LEONINE of CHAUMINE)
  • Four weekly sailings in each direction between Zeebrugge and Gothenburg.
  • Two freight vessels operated jointly on the route.
  • Capacity shared, with commercial activities remaining fully separate.