Croatia’s government granted approval to Jadrolinija to borrow 10.7 million euro from local banks to buy two passenger ships.
Erste & Steiermaerkische Bank will provide a loan of 5.2 million euro that will finance 80% of the purchase price of catamaran DANICA (IMO n°9871763).
Privredna Banka Zagreb will provide the other loan, worth 5.5 million euro, which will cover 80% of the cost of the catamaran KATA (IMO n°9862138).
Source: SeeNews
Photo: Dragec – Shipspotting
Seatruck Ferries RoRo vessel Seatruck Panorama has been sold to Transportación Maritima de California or Ferry TMC.
This Mexican company already owns and operates the former RoRo vessels Maersk Flandria and Saga Moon (now respectively San Jorge and Santa Marcela), and San Guillermo.
TMC offers RoRo services through the Sea of Cortez on the La Paz – Topolobampo – La Paz and La Paz – Mazatlán – La Paz Routes.
TMC is a 100% Mexican company.
FINNCANOPUS, the second hybrid freight-passenger Superstar vessel of Finnlines, was christened in Naantali, marking the completion of Finnlines’ EUR 500-million Green Investment Programme.
Katariina Nurmi, representing DB Schenker, served as the vessel’s godmother, embodying Finnlines’ dedication to maintaining a dependable and efficient logistics network. This network not only supports the growth of freight customers but also strengthens Finnlines and its partners as they strive towards mutual success.
Stena Line has commenced its new Dublin – Liverpool (Birkenhead) freight service on 15 February 2024. The addition of the new route is expected to further boost the company’s freight volumes following a record year on its Irish Sea services in 2023.
The addition of the new service will be Stena Line’s seventh route in the Irish Sea region complementing its Belfast – Cairnryan, Belfast – Heysham, Belfast – Liverpool, Dublin – Holyhead, Rosslare – Fishguard and Rosslare – Cherbourg services.
With RoPax STENA HORIZON temporarily operating on the new Dublin- Liverpool route, the company is currently assessing ship deployment options for a permanent freight-only RoRo vessel.
ONEX Group (Technology Systems & Business Solutions) has won two international open tenders from the state shipping company of the Republic of Algeria, ENTMV (Entreprise Nationale de Transport Maritime de Voyageurs).
These tenders pertain to two ferries in the Algeria Ferries fleet, which connect Algeria with France (Marseille) and Spain (Barcelona and Alicante). As a result, the ONEX Group Shipyards in Elefsina will undertake the maintenance and complete renovation of the 153m-long TARIQ IBN ZYAD (1995). The ship has already been docked at the Elefsina Shipyards since February 11, 2024, marking the first Algerian ship to enter a Greek Shipyard.
In the coming weeks, the 200m-long BADJI MOKHTAR III (2021) will also undergo a general overhaul at the Elefsina Shipyards.
Photo: Wikipedia
Seajets has announced its intention to introduce the HSC SANTORINI PALACE on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Evdilos (Ikaria)-Karlovasi (Samos) route from June 1st until September 30th.
SeaJet’s interest in the Ikaria and Samos route has been evident since the previous period, with the approval of their HSC MEGAJET in October 2023 on the same route by the Coastal Transport Council.
The route will be daily, with the ship departing from Piraeus 9 AM and arriving in Evdilos 1 PM. On its return voyage, it will depart Evdilos for Piraeus at 6 PM.
Minoan Lines has recently chartered the HSC SANTORINI PALACE to Seajets.
Photo: Minoan Lines
Neoline Armateur celebrated the beginning of assembly of its first NEOLINER ORIGIN at RMK Marine shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey, marked by the laying of the first block. The launch of the ship is planned for December 2024, with delivery scheduled for June 2025 in Turkey.
The inaugural voyage of the NEOLINER ORIGIN, a 136-metre wind-powered ro-ro cargo ship, is set for July 2025, connecting the ports of Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Baltimore, and Halifax.
Following the contract’s commencement in January 2023 and several months of detailed design studies, construction of the NEOLINER ORIGIN officially commenced on November 8 at RMK Marine Shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey, during the cutting of the ship’s first steel sheet. The ship is designed for specialized transport of rolling and oversized freight.
The NEOLINER ORIGIN will be equipped with nearly 3,000m2 of sail and two foldable Solidsail carbon masts, each 76m in height, manufactured by Chantiers de l’Atlantique. It will also feature retractable anti-drift plans made by Fouré Lagadec and will be equipped with an ultra-efficient weather routing system developed by D-ICE Engineering. These innovative technologies, along with a commercial speed of 11 knots, will enable the NEOLINER ORIGIN to achieve fuel savings of up to 80% to 90%, resulting in a significant reduction of associated greenhouse gas emissions.
With a loading capacity of 1,200 linear metres (2.8m wide) or 265 20′ containers, weighing a maximum of 5,300 tons, the NEOLINER ORIGIN can accommodate various types of cargo.
Q4 2023
OUTLOOK 2024
“We’re pleased to deliver a solid result for 2023 despite challenging freight markets. Our ferry and logistics network has been expanded significantly, and in 2024 we will focus on unlocking value as we start executing on our new strategic and financial ambitions,” says Torben Carlsen, CEO.
Read the Q4 2023 interim and full-year report here.
Ferry – freight
Ferry – passenger
Smyril Line has signed a contract with the CIMC Raffles shipyard in China to build two new RoRo ships.
The identical twins will be 190m long and have a 3,300 lane metre capacity.
The new cargo ships will join Smyril Line’s current network, and they are planned to start sailing in 2026. The ships are designed for optimal year-round seaworthiness in the North Atlantic with great emphasis on crew comfort.
The ships are being designed in close cooperation with KNUD E. HANSEN, naval architects, who, together with the extensive experience of Smyril Line in the North Atlantic, will ensure that the ships are built for the special route between Europe, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland.
The ships will be modern and environmentally friendly, meeting all international emission standards. Compared to the company’s existing fleet, they will emit significantly less per transported ton. At the same time, the ships will be equipped with a battery system and the possibility of shore power.
The ships will also be prepared to sail on e-methanol, considered the best future choice for green energy at Smyril Line.
Source: Knud E. Hansen
