Dec 06
Love2

Two Channel Islands, Two Different Ferry Operators

By 2024 Newsletter week 49

The Government of Jersey has appointed DFDS as their preferred bidder to operate the Island’s UK and French passenger and freight services from 28 March 2025. [www.gov.je]

Subject to the completion of contract negotiations, the 2025 timetable will be published by the end of next week which will allow passengers to begin booking for next year.

For Jersey passengers this is expected to mean:

  • Greater frequency of ferries to the UK and France in peak periods
  • Faster ferries to the UK
  • Three new ferries within the next six years
  • Two dedicated high speed ferries for the summer.
  • Poole, Portsmouth and St Malo

Earlier, Guernsey opted for Brittany Feries – Condor Ferries, with the following fleet deployment [www.gov.gg]

  • High-speed ferry VOYAGER on St Malo, Guernsey and Poole
  • ISLANDER will provide Ro-Pax and lifeline freights services between Portsmouth, Guernsey and St Malo
  • CLIPPER will provide resilience and operate back-up services as and when required on all routes
Dec 06
Love2

Scandlines To Test e-Methanol Engine

By 2024 Newsletter week 49
  • Currently, Scandlines’ hybrid ferries on the Rostock-Gedser route utilise diesel, batteries, and wind power. To further reduce emissions, Scandlines is exploring the conversion of its MaK diesel engines to run on e-methanol.
  • In partnership with Caterpillar Motoren, Scandlines plans to test an e-methanol engine in 2025. If successful, the first engine conversion could occur in 2027.
  • This collaboration underscores the potential of e-methanol as a sustainable alternative to traditional fuels.

Photo: Matthias Tasler Scandlines

Dec 06
Love2

Fjord1 Has Been Awarded The Sogn Og Fjordane Contract

By 2024 Newsletter week 49
  • Starts in November 2027.
  • 15-year agreement.
  • Ferry routes:
    • Måløy–Husevågøy–Oldeide
    • Isane–Stårheim
    • Askvoll–Fure–Værlandet
    • Rysjedalsvika–Rutledal–Krakhella
    • Option: Askvoll–Gjervik–Fure
  • As part of the contract, Fjord1 will implement significant environmental measures. The Stårheim–Isane and Måløy–Oldeide routes are slated for full electric operation, utilizing combustion engines only as a backup. The other routes will adopt partial electric operation.
  • The contract primarily maintains the existing schedule and capacity for the specified ferry routes.
  • The final contract signing is anticipated after the appeal deadline on December 13.

Source: https://www.fjord1.no/Aktuelt/Ny-kontrakt-tildelt-Fjord1

Dec 06
Love2

Port Oostende Invests in RoRo Infrastructure

By 2024 Newsletter week 49

Port of Oostende is making significant investments to enhance its infrastructure and support RoRo operations. Key initiatives include:

  • Tilbury Terminal Modernisation: Located along Vergunningenstraat and the R31 towards Bredene, the terminal will receive a new fence, upgraded lighting, improved facilities for dockworkers, and an advanced camera system. These upgrades aim to make the site more attractive for RoRo traffic by early next year.
  • Belrail Site Development: Recently designated as a maritime logistics zone, the Belrail site in Plassendale enables the port to better meet the growing demand for logistics space.
  • Vlotdok Area Enhancements: Ongoing investments include asphalting, new fencing, a high-voltage substation, upgraded lighting, and a high-performance camera system. Additionally, sheds 3 and 4 have been demolished to create space, optimizing the area for maritime logistics.
  • REBO and OSSCO Terminal Security: Earlier this year, the port invested in enhancing the security of its REBO and OSSCO terminals at the Zeewezendok.

Collectively, these investments amount to over €1.5 million, reinforcing the port’s commitment to sustainable and future-proof growth.

Port of Oostende, once a Channel ferry port, focuses now on RoRo traffic with new cars.

Dec 06
Love3

SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV Docks in Scotland after Journey from Finland

By 2024 Newsletter week 49

SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV arrived in Scotland on December 3rd, marking the next phase of its journey after departing from the RMC yard in Finland.

The Tasmanian government said it has secured a berth at Leith, Edinburgh, for a minimum of 30 days at an average weekly cost of AUD 47k (EUR 29k) while exploring leasing or chartering opportunities for the vessel.

Both SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV and sister ship SPIRIT OF TASMANIA V are not expected to commence operations in Tasmania until early 2027, as their home berth in Devonport is still under construction.

Photo: Matt Sudders

Dec 06
Love2

Color Line’s Compensation Claim Against Sandefjord Municipality

By 2024 Newsletter week 49
  • In June 2024, Sandefjord’s harbour was closed due to a failure to renew its authorization for international ship traffic, disrupting COLOR HYBRID ferry operations.
  • Color Line submitted a compensation claim of 4 million NOK in November 2024 for financial losses.
  • The municipality is reviewing the claim and blames a consultancy firm’s lack of expertise for the approval delay.
  • Sandefjord disputes the consultant’s invoice and is considering further claims for its losses.
  • Decisions on compensation and next steps are pending further review.

Source: Sandefjord Kommune

Dec 06
Love2

Charging Stations for the Ports on the Lavik-Oppedal Ferry Route

By 2024 Newsletter week 49

Ferry operator Fjord1 has contracted Norwegian Electric Systems to deliver two onshore charging stations for use by the four autonomous, zero-emission ferries that will operate the Lavik-Oppedal crossing on the west coast of Norway.

One onshore charging station will be installed at the berth in Lavik and the other in Oppedal. Lavik-Oppedal is a 5.6-kilometre-long ferry route that crosses the Sognefjord, on the west coast of Norway. The ferries will be close to fully charged in approximately ten minutes while at port.

Dec 06
Love1

IMAGE CARDS

By 2024 Newsletter week 49

On 3 December 2024, Levante Ferries’ RoPax SMYRNA DI LEVANTE made her maiden arrival at Zakynthos, becoming the largest ferry ever to visit the port. She is set to operate on the Kyllini-Zakynthos-Poros (Kefalonia) route next summer, marking a major expansion for the company and enhancing transport links in the region. Levante Ferries aims to make Zakynthos an even more appealing destination for Mediterranean travellers.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Since 27 November 2024, Fast Ferries’ EKATERINI P. has been undergoing her annual refit at Perama dry dock. This year, she will receive another major upgrade, further enhancing her reputation as a valuable asset in the Greek ferry market. Re-engined in 2023 with modern MAK-Caterpillar 8M32C engines (7,200 kW) and equipped with CPP, she will now be fitted with new stabilisers. Built in Japan in 1990, EKATERINI P. will return to the Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos route fully upgraded.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

SAINT-MALO, Brittany Ferries’ first hybrid vessel powered by LNG and electricity, docked in the port of Santander, Monday, 2 December 2024.

After departing its shipyard on 21 October, it sailed the seas of China, crossed the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and entered the Atlantic before reaching its first destination, Santander.

Photo: Brittany Ferries

Source: Port of Trelleborg

CMAL has announced an upcoming face-to-face drop-in session for the Mallaig–Lochboisdale New Vessel project on 11 December. This engagement will provide an update on the progress of the project, which aims to replace the LORD OF THE ISLES.

More information about the event can be found here.

MAN Energy Solutions has reached a significant milestone in the development of its ME-LGIA dual-fuel engine, with full-scale testing of a two-stroke engine running on ammonia now underway. This marks an important step towards advancing sustainable fuel technology at its Research Centre Copenhagen (RCC).

Read more here.

Austal Philippines has completed the delivery of OCEAN MASTER, a 32-metre aluminium catamaran, to Rottnest Fast Ferries (Australia) in less than a year. Designed by Incat Crowther, the vessel was handed over following successful sea trials in November 2024.

Photo: Austal

The keel-laying ceremony for GNV AURORA, the fourth of four new RoPax ships ordered by the MSC Group, took place, with delivery expected in 2026.

Photo: GNV

Welcome to ECO SALERNO! With a dedicated LinkedIn post, the Grimaldi Group announced the delivery of ECO SALERNO, the 13th vessel in the Grimaldi Green 5th Generation (GG5G) series. “Handed over on 3 December by Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing, ECO SALERNO joins a pioneering fleet of hybrid ro-ro vessels, further reinforcing Grimaldi’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in the shipping industry,” the Naples-based company shared.

Like its twelve sister ships, ECO SALERNO has a length of 238 metres, a beam of 34 metres, a gross tonnage of 67,311 tonnes, and a service speed of 20.8 knots. Flying the Italian flag, the vessel can transport 7,800 linear metres of rolling freight, equivalent to about 500 trailers.

GNV, part of the MSC Group, celebrated the arrival of its newly built GNV POLARIS at the Port of Naples. This marks the first of four new ro-pax ships ordered from Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), China. After departing on 30 October, GNV POLARIS sailed 14,000 miles across two oceans to the Mediterranean.

Set to begin service on 7 January, it will operate on the Genoa-Palermo route. The vessel boasts a gross tonnage of 46,000, a length of 218 metres, a width of 29.6 metres, and a top speed of 25 knots. With 239 cabins, it can accommodate 1,500 passengers and 3,100 linear metres of freight.

Equipped for cold ironing and featuring exhaust gas cleaning systems, SCR, and heat recycling technologies, the ship meets IMO Tier III and EEDI Phase II standards, promoting cleaner air and quieter operations.

Photo: GNV

Dec 02
Love2

Hurtigruten Sold to Investors

By 2024 Newsletter week 48

Hurtigruten has been acquired by a consortium of existing investors and has received approximately EUR 110m in new, long-term funding. The new setup provides a solid base for the future growth and continued development of Hurtigruten as Norway’s leading coastal cruise line.

  • The closing of this transaction will mark the completion of the process to separate Hurtigruten from HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions).
  • The transaction will significantly reduce outstanding debt of the Company and its parent group by over EUR 1bn, resulting in remaining debt of approximately EUR 400m, and extending the maturities to at least 2030.
  • Hurtigruten will continue as a standalone company, headquartered in Oslo.
  • Hurtigruten will own and operate its 10 ships under the Norwegian flag.

Source: Hurtigruten on MyNewsDesk

Photo: Agurtxane Concellon