Jan 16
3

DFDS Appoints Michael Hansen as New President & CEO

By | 2026 Newsletter week 03 | No Comments

DFDS has appointed Michael Hansen as President & CEO, effective no later than 1 July 2026. He succeeds Torben Carlsen, who is expected to step down on the same date.

Board perspective

Chair Claus V. Hemmingsen said the short-term priority is to improve financial performance, while the longer-term focus remains on unlocking network value through operational optimisation and organic growth, building on DFDS’ customer offering, service levels and people.

Background and mandate

Michael Hansen is a global executive with extensive leadership experience in shipping, transport, and industrial businesses. As President & CEO of Hempel, he has led a strategic transformation that has lifted financial performance, strengthened cash flow, and improved operational scalability. Prior to Hempel, he spent nearly two decades with A.P. Moller – Maersk, holding senior management roles across Europe, Latin America, and Oceania, including CEO of Seago Line and Global Head of Sales for Maersk Line.

Jan 16
3

DFDS Appoints New Managing Director for France

By | 2026 Newsletter week 03 | No Comments

DFDS has appointed Rémi Liger-Belair as Managing Director for France and Route Director of the Dieppe–Newhaven service

Liger-Belair succeeds Etienne Melliani and will oversee both commercial and operational performance of one of the Channel’s oldest ferry routes.

Originally from Caen, he returns to Normandy after an international career spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Based in Dieppe, Liger-Belair will also represent DFDS nationally, including engagement with French authorities, shipping associations and labour partners.

Jan 09
3

Strait Link Sold to Igneo Infrastructure Partners

By | 2026 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

Bass Strait shipping and logistics provider Strait Link is being sold for 100% to Igneo Infrastructure Partners (*). This has been announced by Strait Link’s owner Allegro Funds.

Strait Link’s shipping assets include two RoRo vessels, TASMANIAN ACHIEVER II and VICTORIAN RELIANCE II, supported by secure long-term leases at both Port of Melbourne and Port of Burnie.

The Company’s landside fleet comprises prime movers, trailers, more than 4,500 containers, and 11 depots across Tasmania and Victoria.

Igneo Infrastructure Partners is or was already involved in other ferry companies:

Scandlines is owned by three infrastructure funds: Igneo Infrastructure Partners, 3i Group plc and Federated Hermes.

Igneo completed the sale of ForSea to Molslinjen (EQT / Nordic Ferry Infrastructure) in January 2023.

Source: Strait Link, Igneo Infrastructure Partners, EQT Group, Scandlines

Jan 09
3

Tallink 2025: Passenger Numbers Remained Stable

By | 2026 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

AS Tallink Grupp reported broadly stable passenger volumes in 2025, despite economic headwinds across its core markets.

Key Takeaways

  • Q4 2025 passengers: −0.3% year-on-year
  • December 2025 passengers: +0.2% year-on-year
  • Full-year passengers: 5.53 million, −0.9% versus 2024
  • Passenger volumes stabilised at 2024 levels, supported by a strong holiday season.

Route Performance in 2025

  • Finland – Estonia: +1.8% passengers
  • Finland – Sweden: −2.4% passengers
  • Estonia – Sweden: −12.5% passengers

Decline linked to reduced vessel deployment compared with summer 2024.

Cargo Volumes

  • Total cargo units: 245,004
  • −19.2% year-on-year
  • Declines recorded on all routes.
  • Largest drops on Finland–Sweden (−22.8%) and Estonia–Finland (−20%).
  • Cargo contraction eased gradually during the year, indicating early signs of market recovery.

Management Comment

Paavo Nõgene described 2025 as challenging, citing weak consumer confidence and difficult conditions in Finland. He said internal measures helped protect performance.

Actions included:

  • Sale of three vessels to optimise costs
  • Chartering out capacity

Outlook for 2026

  • Focus on defending market position
  • Targeting revenue growth and improved profitability
  • Full inclusion of CO₂ quota costs from 2026
  • Shuttle vessels expected to fully transition to biomethane

Source: Tallink

Jan 09
3

Bornholm 2025: Yet Another Ferry Record

By | 2026 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

Molslinjen A/S has set new traffic records on its Bornholm services in 2025, despite a reduced sailing programme.

Key figures (calendar year 2025):

  • 2,036,417 passengers, an all-time high
  • Up from 2,005,564 in 2024 (+1.5%)
  • 597,380 cars, also a record
  • +3.2% year-on-year
  • 49,672 freight vehicles
  • +4.6% compared with 2024

Traffic growth was achieved even though the main route between Rønne and Ystad operated 70 fewer sailings than in 2024.

According to CEO Kristian Durhuus, double-digit growth is no longer realistic, but steady annual increases underline the continued attractiveness of Bornholm as both a place to live and a tourism destination.

Jan 09
3

Kattegat 2025: Less Ferries, Less Departures, More Cars

By | 2026 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

After Molslinjen sold HSC MAX just before the 2024 peak season, the Kattegat fast ferry fleet dropped from four to three vessels. However, fewer sailings did not reduce traffic.

Key figures (2025):

  • Cars: 1,362,835 (+2% vs 2024; slightly above 2019 with four ferries)
  • Passengers: 3,330,703 (up on 2024, below 2019 record)
  • EV share: 29.5% of cars, well above Denmark’s 17–18% fleet average

The operator credits better timetable planning and higher space utilisation. Growing EV ownership also supports demand, as drivers save kilometres and energy by taking the ferry.

Source: ViaRitzau

Jan 09
3

Marine Atlantic Found an Ice-Class Rated RoPax in the Med

By | 2026 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

Canadian Crown corporation Marine Atlantic has entered into a five-year charter agreement with Stena RoRo to lease A NEPITA, previously chartered by Corsica Linea.

The ferry is scheduled to arrive in Canada in the summer of 2026. The ship will enter into service during the fall of 2026 following a period of customization to the intended trade such as ship to shore ramp arrangements, ships livery, a 5-year preventive maintenance program etc.

RoPax A NEPITA is ice-class rated, a necessity in these waters.

All Marine Atlantic ferries have a link with Stena RoRo: ALA’SUINU (E-Flexer), BLUE PUTTEES, HIGHLANDERS and LEIF ERICSON.

Corsica Linea is expecting delivery of its E-Flexer, CAPU ROSSU, before the summer.

Source: Marine Atlantic

Source: Stena RoRo

Jan 09
3

Two Transfennica Vessels to Dutch MoD

By | 2026 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MOD) and shipowner Spliethoff have signed an agreement covering two ConRo vessels from the Transfennica fleet.

  • PLYCA will be available on an on-call basis from 20 January, with a 20-day notice period.
  • TRICA will be permanently deployed for MOD use from 30 May.

Since 2022, the Dutch MOD has already chartered two RoRo vessels on 10-year contracts:

  • NEW AMSTERDAM
  • SOUTHERN ROCK (a smaller general cargo vessel with a RoRo ramp)

At MOD’s request, TRICA and PLYCA will each be fitted with a ship’s crane.
This allows independent loading and unloading, without reliance on shore facilities.

In addition, TRICA will be equipped with “fingers”.
These enable the loading ramp to be deployed in sections, allowing use at narrower quays.

Photo and source: Defensie (in Dutch)

Jan 09
4

TT Line Confirms Order for a New Green RoPax 2.0

By | 2026 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

As expected, TT Line signed a contract for the construction of a new Green RoPax ferry, continuing its long-term fleet renewal and decarbonisation strategy.

Key facts:
• Approx. 240 metres long
• Capacity for around 1,000 passengers
• Advanced LNG-hybrid propulsion, with shore-power-fed battery capability
• Designed for higher operational and environmental efficiency
• Enhanced passenger comfort, new cabin concepts, and spacious outdoor areas

The newbuild builds on the strong operational performance of NILS HOLGERSSON and PETER PAN.

Construction will again take place at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, a partner of TT-Line since 2018, ensuring continuity in design, safety, and sustainability standards for the European market.

 

OSK Design has developed the contract design for this project.