- This 5G network project is emerging as a key tool for the Port of Valencia to advance in its digital transformation.
- The infrastructure will make it possible to work without cables or ties to external operators, with more than 25,000 connected devices: phones, vehicles, surveillance cameras, environmental sensors, security services and drones, among others.
- The initiative has a budget of nearly six million euros, co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment.
- Will operate independently of the criteria of a mobile operator.
Fred Olsen Express’ newest ship, BARLOVENTO EXPRESS, began operations on Sunday, 29 December 2024, connecting Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with Morro Jable in Fuerteventura. This high-speed ferry, which has a capacity of 866 passengers, 271 vehicles, and dedicated spaces for pets, brings the fleet total to 13 vessels.
Photo: Fred. Olsen EXpress
Tallink Silja Oy has signed a contract with Slaapschepen Public BV, an organisation nominated by Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers (COA), to continue chartering the company’s vessel SILJA EUROPA to the Netherlands for six months starting from 1 January 2025 (with an option to extend the contract for an additional 7 + 6 + 6 months).
SILJA EUROPA has been chartered to the Netherlands since August 2022 to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
Photo: Tallink Silja – Marko Stampehl
ANEK Lines’ pair of ferries, KRITI I (ex-New Suzuran, 1979) and KRITI II (ex-New Yukari, 1979), have been laid up in Elefsis Bay as of October 7, 2024, and November 2, 2024, respectively. This marks the probable conclusion of their remarkable service careers within the Greek ferry scene.
After 28 years of distinguished service in Hellenic coastal shipping, reports suggest that the two ships may soon be sold for scrap.
Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos
After 12 years of lay-up in Elefsis Bay, PENELOPE A (ex-HORSA, 1972) of Agoudimos Lines has been sold for scrap. This legendary former Sealink vessel was purchased in February 1992 and deployed on the Rafina–Andros–Tinos–Mykonos route in the summer of that same year.
Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos
FRS expands its presence on the Rhine by taking over the historic Loreley Ferry Line, a connection with over 500 years of history between Sankt Goar and Sankt Goarshausen. This marks the second acquisition in the region within a short period, further solidifying FRS’s commitment to the Rhine and the Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage area.
LEONINE, the second of two G9 RoRo vessels for CLdN, has been launched at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. The 234-metre ship boasts advanced engines, 6 MW shaft generators, and future-proof flexibility, cutting CO2 emissions by 40% compared to CELINE and DELPHINE while maintaining the same cargo capacity.
Photo: CLdN
The conversion of RoRo CABO STAR (ex EUROCARGO SAVONA) into a RoPax is well underway at Astilleros de Santander, a first collaboration with Baja Ferries.
The project involves constructing a new accommodation block, accommodating up to 399 passengers in double cabins and seats. Prefabricated steel blocks are being lifted onboard, paving the way for interior retrofitting, including saloons and common areas.
Photo: Astilleros de Santander
Gondan Shipyards launched its 500th newbuild. It is a ferry, with a capacity of 540 passengers, and the eighth in the series built for TTSL – Transtejo Soflusa.
Photo Astilleros Gondan
La Méridionale found a buyer for PELAGOS, in Egypt. The vessel will leave the fleet in spring.
Buyers unknown.
Photo: Jean-Pierre Fabre
The Port of Holyhead has suffered significant damage during Storm Darragh (6 and 7 December) after two separate berthing incidents.
Originally set to reopen on 20 December, Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 will now remain closed until 15 January 2025 at the earliest, prioritising safety. Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have announced significant contingency measures to mitigate disruption in this very busy period:
Stena Line:
- Chartered BEN MY CHREE (Isle of Man Steam Packet) to operate a Dublin–Heysham freight route (from 17 Dec), adding 850 lane metres of freight capacity.
- Additional Dublin–Birkenhead sailings on STENA ESTRID for car passengers with existing bookings.
- Stena Line has also deployed STENA ADVENTURER to operate between Dublin and Fishguard.
- Introduced a 12-hour rule for trailers and unaccompanied vehicles, limiting acceptance to 12 hours before departure for confirmed bookings only.
Irish Ferries:
- Increased capacity on Rosslare–Pembroke with the redeployment of JAMES JOYCE.
- ISLE OF INNISFREE on Dublin-Fishguard.
- Added sailings on the Dublin–Cherbourg corridor, with ULYSSES successfully undertaking its first crossing to France, boosting freight capacity.
CLdN:
- Implemented a similar 12-hour rule at key terminals including Dublin T4, Liverpool, and Heysham.
As one of the key gateways between the UK and Ireland, Holyhead plays a critical role for freight and passenger transport. Stena Line and Irish Ferries move two million passengers per year and some 1,200 freight units per day.
Photo: Philphos – Commons Wikimedia
Freighlink published a comprehensive overview of the changes on Linkedin. Click on the photo below to access the post.
MSC has officially entered the Türkiye –Trieste maritime link market, directly competing with Grimaldi and DFDS.
- Route: every Saturday: Gebze, Türkiye → Trieste, Italy
- Transit Time: 4 days to Trieste; 9 days for the return journey to Türkiye
- Target Cargo: Industrial goods, commercial freight, and automotive cargo
- 45ft HCPW containers
In a recent statement, the Geneva-based global carrier announced the introduction of 45ft HCPW (high-cube palletwide) containers on its short sea route connecting the Gebze region in Türkiye to Trieste in Northern Italy.
“This door-to-door transportation solution offers customers a very competitively priced option for larger shipments. This strategically designed service addresses the growing demand for reliable and efficient freight solutions while facilitating the shift from traditional trucks and RoRo vessels to larger-capacity containerised transport,” MSC stated.
Departing weekly from Gebze every Saturday, the service ensures a transit time of just four days to Trieste. Customers benefit from enhanced capacity, competitive pricing, and the convenience of working with a global logistics operator. This solution is further supported by MSC’s own inland transportation provider, MEDLOG, in both Türkiye and Italy.
The Green North Sea Shipping Corridor Project has officially launched. The initiative aims to establish the first green shipping corridors between the Port of Tyne (UK) and the Port of IJmuiden (The Netherlands), reducing carbon emissions and advancing greener trade routes.
Key partners, including the Port of Tyne, DFDS, Ricardo, KVSA, and Zeehaven IJmuiden, gathered recently to kick off this ambitious project. Supported by a £9 million UK government investment through the International Green Corridors Fund, the initiative focuses on transitioning from ageing vessels to methanol-fuelled ferries, cutting CO2 emissions and setting a benchmark for sustainable shipping.
The project will assess the infrastructure needed at both ports for future fuels and electrification, as well as analyse the benefits of cleaner shipping practices.
Source: Port of Tyne
- Långnäs Port, a key maritime hub in the Åland Islands, is set to receive a state-of-the-art terminal by 2026, with groundwork now officially underway.
- The new terminal is specially designed to handle passengers from Finnlines’ new ferries FINNSIRIUS and FINNCANOPUS.
- Långnäs hamn Ab invites tenders for ground works for the upcoming terminal building: http://www.langnashamn.ax/anbud-41242395
Nordion Energi is investing in a new biogas liquefaction plant in the Port of Gothenburg.
- To be completed in autumn 2026
- Initially delivering 250 GWh of liquefied biogas (LBG) annually.
Read more in MyNewsDesk.
The European Commission has published Italy’s exemptions under the FuelEU Maritime Regulation (EU 2023/1805), which promotes renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport.
Italy will exempt:
- Ports on small islands (see list here).
- Ships and routes under public service contracts or obligations, operating between mainland ports before the regulation took effect.
These exemptions are based on information submitted by Italy to the Commission.
Photo: MOBY TOMMY is one of the ferries exempted under the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, operating key routes like Civitavecchia–Olbia and Genova–Porto Torres between October and May, ensuring essential services remain uninterrupted. (photo: Moby)
Digital twin technology is revolutionizing industries, offering a risk-free, cost-effective way to analyze and optimize operations. Its potential for the maritime sector is vast but underexplored.
Click on the Cetasol logo below to read the story on our website.
Baleària continues to expand its connections to Algeria with a new route, between Valencia and Oran, which started on 18 December.
Baleària now has three weekly departures to Algeria, and soon four.
- Valencia-Mostaganem (which has been operating since 2016)
- Valencia-Algiers (which began operating in October 2024)
- Valencia-Oran
- Barcelona-Algiers (starting 15 January 2025)
Competition is rising on the Spain to Algeria routes, with the traditional State-owned Algerie Ferries, Baleària, Naviera Armas and newbee Nouris Elbahr Ferries (with the chartered CRACOVIA on Alicante and Marseille).