Category

2026 Newsletter week 16

Apr 17
Love3

Molslinjen Reports Best First Quarter in Company History

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

Molslinjen’s Kattegat fast ferries delivered the strongest first quarter in the company’s history.

During Q1 2026, the catamarans carried almost 680,000 passengers and more than 290,000 passenger cars. That was nearly 5% more passengers and 5.6% more cars than the previous record set in early 2024.

According to Commercial Director Lucas Kragh, demand was boosted early in the year by poor weather, which encouraged more travellers to choose the ferry. Electric vehicles made a notable contribution, filling deck space in high numbers.

Traffic accelerated further in March, with volumes up 14% year-on-year. Electric cars accounted for 35% of all cars carried during the month.

Molslinjen said its marketing campaign positioning the ferry as “the smart road” helped drive market share gains, particularly versus the Great Belt bridge.

The group’s coach operator, Kombardo Expressen, also contributed positively, benefiting from disruption caused by reconstruction works at Aarhus Station.

Apr 17
Love3

DFDS Raises 2026 EBIT Outlook

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

DFDS has upgraded its 2026 EBIT guidance following stronger-than-expected progress in the first quarter.

The company now expects EBIT of DKK 1.0-1.4 billion, up from the previous outlook of DKK 0.8-1.1 billion.

According to DFDS, five of the six operational turning points supporting the earnings plan performed ahead of expectations in Q1. The largest contribution came from the Mediterranean ferry network, while the sixth turning point was in line with expectations.

Further improvements are anticipated during the coming quarters.

DFDS also noted that the sharp rise in oil prices, together with a wider spread between high- and low-sulphur fuel, had a negative impact in March. Based on current market levels, this effect is expected to turn positive in Q2.

Apr 17
Love3

DFDS March Volumes Show Continued Good Momentum

By 2026 Newsletter week 16
  • DFDS reported total March 2026 freight volumes of 3.9 million lane metres, up 4.2% year-on-year.
  • Adjusted for route changes, freight growth was 3.0%.
  • North Sea volumes increased, driven mainly by stronger traffic between the Continent and the UK.
  • Channel volumes were above 2025 levels, supported by higher Dover Strait traffic and the ramp-up of Jersey services.
  • Baltic Sea volumes also increased, while Strait of Gibraltar traffic was above last year.
  • Mediterranean volumes were lower overall, although utilisation improved following capacity reductions on one main route.
  • Over the last twelve months, total freight volumes rose 0.6% to 41.8 million lane metres.
  • March passenger numbers, adjusted for route changes, increased 11.3% to 261,000.
  • Passenger growth was mainly driven by higher volumes on Dover Strait routes.
  • Over the last twelve months, total passengers fell 19.5% to 5.1 million, or 11.8% lower adjusted for route changes.
Apr 17
Love3

Viking Line Sees Strong Growth in International Travel

By 2026 Newsletter week 16
  • Viking Line carried 4.6 million passengers last year across its five vessels.
  • More than half of all travellers came from outside Finland.
  • Over 16% of passengers were from countries other than Finland, Sweden or Estonia.
  • German travellers remain the largest international group.
  • Chinese passenger numbers have quadrupled in two years.
  • During Chinese New Year in February 2025, more than 4,500 Chinese guests travelled with Viking Line, double the previous year.
  • Passenger numbers are also rising from the US, India, Japan and Australia.
  • Viking Line says cooler Nordic climates are attracting travellers from southern Europe seeking alternatives to hotter Mediterranean destinations.
  • Passenger numbers from Spain and Italy continue to rise.
  • International visitors help reduce seasonal swings, with travel spread more evenly across the year.
  • Many overseas travellers include Baltic Sea cruises as part of wider Nordic tours.
  • Viking Line is increasing sales efforts in Asia, the US, German-speaking Europe and southern Europe.

Top Growth Markets (March 2025–February 2026)

  • China +56%
  • Ukraine +17%
  • USA +17%
  • Spain +16%
  • UK +15%
  • India +10%
  • Lithuania +9%
  • Germany +8%
  • Latvia +7%
  • Poland +5%
Apr 17
Love3

Port of Thessaloniki Reports Record 2025 Results

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

Wallenius Lines has entered into an agreement to acquire SOL Group’s shares in Wallenius SOL, becoming the company’s sole owner.

The new ownership structure is intended to provide long-term stability, clarity, and continuity for Wallenius SOL’s further development. The company says this will strengthen its role as an enabler of sustainable, sea-based infrastructure in Northern Europe.

Apr 17
Love3

Wallenius Lines To Take Full Ownership of Wallenius SOL

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

Wallenius Lines has entered into an agreement to acquire SOL Group’s shares in Wallenius SOL, becoming the company’s sole owner.

The new ownership structure is intended to provide long-term stability, clarity, and continuity for Wallenius SOL’s further development. The company says this will strengthen its role as an enabler of sustainable, sea-based infrastructure in Northern Europe.

Apr 17
Love3

Attica Group’s Latest Aero Highspeed Ferries Arrive in Greece

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

On 12 April 2026, Attica Group’s latest additions, AERO HIGHSPEED 4 and AERO HIGHSPEED 5, arrived in Greece on board the cargo vessel JIN FU.

The two vessels, formerly named MEI ZHU HU and JIN ZHU HU, were acquired from China in March. Before their sale, they operated on the Zhongshan–Hong Kong route and were delivered from Guangzhou Panyu Lianhuashan Port.

They have now been sent to the ONEX yard at Elefsis for refit ahead of entry into service this summer. The vessels are expected to replace FLYING CAT 3, FLYING CAT 4, FLYING CAT 5, and FLYING CAT 6 on Attica’s Saronic routes.

Built in Norway by Brødrene Aa in 2016 and 2017, the two highspeed craft can carry 270 passengers and have a service speed of 35 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Apr 17
Love3

AF MARINA Chartered for Cyprus–Greece Passenger Link

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

The Shipping Deputy Ministry has confirmed the return of the Cyprus–Greece maritime passenger connection for a fifth consecutive year. Services will resume this May.

The seasonal route has become a reliable transport option, offering passengers an alternative to air travel and serving essential mobility needs.

The first sailing is scheduled to depart Limassol on 29 May. The final voyage from Piraeus to Limassol will take place on 1 September.

This year’s service will be operated by passenger RoRo ferry AF MARINA, which is expected to provide upgraded onboard services and passenger amenities.

Ferrando & Massone acted as shipbroker for the charter agreement.

Apr 17
Love3

Sea-Cargo Completes Hybrid Retrofit of TRANS HAV and TRANS SOL

By 2026 Newsletter week 16

Sea-Cargo has completed a major rebuild of TRANS HAV and TRANS SOL, marking another step in its fleet modernisation and decarbonisation strategy.

The two vessels now operate with an integrated hybrid energy platform combining wind, solar and battery technology. Each ship has been fitted with three rotor sails, 1,600 m² of solar panels, battery storage systems, new propellers optimised for 14-knot service speed, shore power connectivity and upgraded control systems.

Sea-Cargo says the latest rebuild delivers a 35% reduction in CO2 emissions per tonne transported, while the company’s upgraded fleet has achieved a 50% total emission reduction.

Under favourable wind conditions, the rotor sails can generate thrust equivalent to around 7,500 kW, significantly reducing engine load. Solar panels also provide renewable electricity while increasing protected cargo capacity through an integrated garage deck.

The vessels continue to trade between Norway and continental Europe under long-term industrial contracts, including cooperation with Hydro. Sea-Cargo said stable cargo volumes and fixed routes were essential to justify investments of this scale.

Apr 17
Love3

BLUJET Acquires Catamaran STAR

By 2026 Newsletter week 16
  • BLUJET, part of the Italian State Railway group, has purchased the catamaran STAR after operating the vessel for several years under a bareboat charter.
  • The seller was a Croatian company.
  • Ferrando & Massone acted as broker in the transaction.
  • STAR was built in 2019.
  • The vessel is 31 metres long with a beam of 9 metres.
  • Passenger capacity is 300.
  • Propulsion is provided by two MTU engines.
  • Service speed is up to 34 knots.