DFDS September Volumes: Freight 2% Lower, Passengers 9% Higher

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Ferry – freight:

  • Total volumes in September 2023 were 1.9% below 2022.
  • North Sea volumes were slightly below 2022 as firm automotive volumes were offset by mainly lower volumes between Sweden and the UK.
  • Mediterranean’s growth trend improved in September as volumes were back on level with 2022.
  • Channel volumes were also on level with 2022.
  • Baltic Sea volumes were below 2022 due to lower demand from both the continuing impact of the war in Ukraine and a decline in the transport of construction materials.
  • For the last twelve months 2023-22, the total transported freight lane metres decreased 10.5% to 38.6m from 43.1m in 2022-21. The decrease was 4.4% adjusted for Channel.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers increased 9.4% driven by primarily more Channel passengers.
  • The number of cars increased 0.6%.
  • The total number of passengers increased 37% to 4.5m for the last twelve months, 2023-22, from 3.2m in 2022-21.

Moby announced two new routes between mainland Italy and Corsica (and Sardinia)

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1) Genoa – Ajaccio (Corsica) – Porto Torres (Northwestern point of Sardinia)

The extension of the line to Porto Torres will further increase interchange between Sardinia and Corsica, both from a tourist and a commercial point of view. This bridge between Corsica and Sardinia will be added to the connection that Moby already ensures all year round with the Bonifacio – Santa Teresa di Gallura.

2) Piombino – Bastia: fastest of all the mainland lines to Corsica.

New for this route will be the livery of the ships that will serve the island, with the Moor’s head symbol of the French island and other typical Corsican elements.

Moby selects Kongsberg Maritime for emission-saving propulsion upgrade on five ferries

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Kongsberg Maritime will provide upgrades to Moby passenger ferries’ propulsion systems that are expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 30,000 tonnes per year

MOBY VINCI, SHARDEN, and MOBY AKI, will all receive a Promas Lite propulsion system, which combines rudder and propeller into one propulsion unit.

MOBY WONDER and MOBY TOMMY will receive re-bladed controllable pitch Kongsberg Kamewa propellers as part of their upgrade.

Helsinki and Tallinn ports, cities and ferry companies to accelerate zero emissions

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  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Green Corridor has been signed to promote a climate-neutral customer journey and a maritime green corridor between Helsinki – Tallinn and Vuosaari – Muuga connections across the Gulf of Finland.
  • The Green Corridor encompasses a shipping route and various projects both at sea and inshore operations in Helsinki and Tallinn, all with the goal of reducing emissions and adopting zero or near-zero emission solutions. The intention is to meet emission reduction targets sooner than previously publicly committed.
  • The signatory parties to the MoU include the cities and ports of Helsinki and Tallinn, Rederi AB Eckerö, Tallink Grupp, Viking Line, the Ministry of Climate of Estonia, and receive strong support from the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Finland.
  • The primary objective of the Green Corridor is to expedite the transition towards a climate-neutral and sustainable customer journey for passengers and cargo on sea routes between Helsinki-Tallinn and Muuga-Vuosaari. This initiative involves collaborative roadmaps for shipping companies, cities, ports, and other partners to assist them in achieving their zero-emission goals. Each roadmap will have specific milestones, taking into account priorities and potential funding sources.

Source: Port of Helsinki

IN THE MEDIA

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BC Ferries scales down electrification ambitions for its Island Class fleet due to funding challenges, writes the National Observer. Initial plans to convert all six Island Class ferries to 100% battery-electric operations by 2025 are on hold.

The focus is now on electrifying four vessels serving specific routes, pending approval from the BC Ferry Commissioner.

Adria Ferries Confirms Acquisition of CRUISE SMERALDA for Its Fleet

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  • Adria Ferries, based in Ancona, Italy, has officially announced the acquisition of the ro-pax ferry CRUISE SMERALDA, previously owned by the Grimaldi Group.
  • The 1997-built CRUISE SMERALDA will begin its service in November, connecting both sides of the Adriatic Sea by operating between Italy and Albania.
  • Ferry Shipping News was the first to reveal this acquisition in September when the vessel, boasting a capacity of 1,500 passengers and 2,200 lane meters, was still in service with Finnlines, a part of the Grimaldi Group, on the Malmö – Travemünde route.
  • CRUISE SMERALDA arrived at the port of Ancona last week, marking a significant addition to Adria Ferries’ fleet.
  • Adria Ferries has reported impressive financial performance in 2022, with revenues of EUR 68 million and a profit of EUR 18 million. The company had been actively seeking additional tonnage for the past year to further enhance its operations.

Moby’s Ro-Ro BENIAMINO CARNEVALE Sold at Auction

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  • Moby’s ro-ro ship, BENIAMINO CARNEVALE, built in 1992, was sold at auction by Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione for EUR 3.25 million.
  • Turkish interests were rumored to be interested in the vessel.
  • The sale is part of Moby’s financial restructuring plan approved by the Court of Milan.
  • BENIAMINO CARNEVALE has a capacity for 99 passengers and 1,820 lane meters.
  • In October 2019, Tirrenia previously sold the ship for EUR 12 million to a North European buyer, but the deal fell through due to delays from banks, causing the sale terms to expire.

Attica Group H1 2023 Financial Results

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Attica Group’s financial results for H1 present an increase in revenue in both geographical segments the Group operates in, namely domestic and international routes.

  • +21% consolidated revenue MEUR 244.26
  • +18% increase in the number of sailings, as well as increase in vessels utilization rate, supported by the lifting, since mid-March 2022, of the state imposed reduced capacity protocol for passengers (due to Covid-19 restrictions).
  • EBITDA MEUR 47.49 (losses of MEUR 9.61 in H1, 2022)
  • Consolidated profit after taxes MEUR 3.25 (consolidated losses after taxes of MEUR 30.54 in H1, 2022).
  • Group operating expenses, MEUR 190.6 (MEUR 211.91 in H1, 2022) affected mainly by the decrease in fuel prices and partially counterbalanced by the increase in crew expenses and vessels maintenance and repair costs.
  • The increase in Group revenue, combined with the reduction in operating expenses during the same period, led to an increase in gross profit, as well as consolidated profits before taxes, investing and financial results, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).
  • Group Equity stood at MEUR 362.51 from MEUR 357.75 as at 31 December 2022.

Traffic Volumes in H1, 2023

2.4 million passengers +14.2%

365,000 private vehicles +3.7%

209,000 freight units +0.5%

 

Developments within Current Year

During the two-month period July – August 2023, the Group increased its turnover by 2.6% compared to the corresponding period last year.

For the entire fiscal year 2023, an increase is expected in the turnover and the net income of the Group compared to fiscal year 2022.

The key factors that will further determine the financial performance mainly relate to traffic volumes and international fuel prices evolution, the latter currently presenting intensely rising trends.

Source: Attica Group

Tallink Grupp September and Q3, 2023 Statistics

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Trends:

  • Passenger statistics continue to show post-crisis stabilising despite the continuing economic challenges and price hikes, with comparable routes and vessels showing year-on-year improvements.
  • More of “home market” customers return to the ships,
  • Gradual return and increase in the number of Asian passengers. The number of Asian passengers has almost doubled in Q3 this year compared to last year, with travellers from South Korea, India, China, Japan and Taiwan topping the Asian passenger charts between July and September.
  • The general economic situation in home markets is fragile, which is mostly evident in the cargo unit figures, but also has a wider impact on consumer behaviour.

Outlook

“While the summer did not see huge price hikes that would have a significant impact on our business, September has already brought a rather rapid marine fuel price increase, which we will unfortunately have to continue to pass on to our customers through the fuel surcharge, which we monitor and review regularly.”

Paavo Nõgene, CEO of Tallink Grupp