May 10
Love1

IMAGE CARDS

By 2024 Newsletter week 19

Finnlines, in partnership with GIT Coatings, is accelerating its decarbonization efforts by adopting XGIT-FUEL, an innovative graphene-based hard foul release hull coating, across its ro-ro and ro-pax fleets. Starting with their first vessel in 2022, Finnlines has already applied this high-performance hull coating to four vessels as part of a recently signed fleet agreement, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by around 7% compared to previously used coating.

Source: Gitcoatings

On May 8, 2024, Asterion II entered the port of Piraeus fully refreshed following a period of a serious refit and upgrades at Elefsis shipyards. The ship is sporting the Anek Lines livery and expected to serve initially on the Piraeus – Heraklion route with her fleet mate Kissamos. She used to serve on the Patras – Venice line under Superfast Ferries operation. After the successful merger of Anek Lines from Attica Group it was decided to enter the domestic ferry service replacing Kriti II.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

On May 6, 2024, HSC Caldera Vista departed for Spain (Tarifa) following the decision of Africa Morocco Link (AML) to operate on the Tarifa – Tanger Ville line with two highspeed crafts. Caldera Vista was chartered from Seajets and will be followed by HSC Morocco Express 1 (ex-Highspeed 3), which undergoing a serious refit and upgrades at Perama repair zone since October 2023.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

May 03
Love2

Grimaldi to order 9 ro-pax ships for Finnlines, Minoan Lines and Grimaldi Euromed

By 2024 newsletter week 18

Emanuele Grimaldi announced to FERRY SHIPPING NEWS that the Grimaldi Group is working on a significant order for 9 RoPax ships for its short-sea networks, valued at over EUR 1 billion.

They are likely to be built in China.

The Naples-based shipping company is still finalizing details about propulsion. Grimaldi wants to ensure “the best possible solutions in terms of innovation and sustainability, reducing consumption, and possibly utilizing traditional bunker fuel as well as methanol and biofuels.”

The 9-ship order will be as follows: Three ships for Finnlines, evolving from the ‘super star’ vessels just delivered; an additional two for Minoan Lines; and the remaining three for Grimaldi Euromed, with a capacity for 3,000 passengers and 3,000 lane meters of garage space.

The price for these new series of vessels will be approximately EUR 150 million each, with the tender for shipyards expected to be launched next summer and signing scheduled for next autumn.

Rendering of the recently delivered vessels: Knud E. Hansen

May 03
Love1

Tallink Grupp delivers profit in Q1 2024

By 2024 newsletter week 18

Q1 has a profit for the quarter that historically delivers a loss for the company due to tourism low season.

+147.4% net profit EUR 2.6 million

+6.3% consolidated revenue EUR 160.4 million

+27.2%  EBITDA EUR 34.5 million

The Q1 results were positively impacted by marginally increased passenger numbers in Q1 2024 compared to the same period last year, by ongoing charter contracts for four of the company’s vessels and the sale of company vessel Isabelle.

The company continues to maintain a strong liquidity buffer of EUR 123.9 million, combined in cash and unused credit lines.

Source: Tallink

May 03
Love1

Eckerö: Passenger record in March, quarter affected by dockings

By 2024 newsletter week 18

First quarter of Rederi AB Eckerö in a nutshell:

  • In January, both Finlandia and Eckerö docked at the shipyard in Landskrona. Between 8 January and 7 February Finlandia was out of service, while Eckerö was out of service 8 -29 January.
  • 1,120 departures (-13%)
  • 473,325 passengers (-11%) On average, slightly more passengers travelled per departure than in the corresponding period last year. The lower total number of passengers in the first quarter is attributed to the dockings in January and February, while record numbers travelled on both routes in March.
  • 39,759 freight units (-6%).
  • The previously agreed sale of Shipper was completed on 22 January.
  • -8% Turnover MEUR 36,3
  • Operating result was -4,3 MEUR (-5,4 MEUR). Adjusted for the sale of Shipper the operating result was -7.5 MEUR (-5.4 MEUR).
  • Result for the financial year was EUR -4.0 million (EUR -5.6 million).
  • Source in Swedish.
May 03
Love1

Monthly figures Corsica: growth

By 2024 newsletter week 18

ORTC (Corsica Transport Office) published the monthly traffic statistics.

 

January February March
Passengers Air 158,010 (+7.4%) 144,841 (+2.1%) 173,123 (+9.6%)
Passengers Ferry 86,610 (+4.4%) 75,316 (-13.1%) 107,809 (+23.1%)
Passenger Cars 36,251 (+0.7%) 32,310 (-10.7%) 45,670 (+13.9%)
Freight (tons) 147,392 (+4.8%) 162,615 (+26.2%) 161,402 (+0.1%)

 

The monthly reports can be downloaded here (in French)

Photo: Mega Regina – © Jean-Pierre Fabre

May 03
Love1

Isle of Man Steam Packet’s new flagship is driving an increase in passengers

By 2024 newsletter week 18

New figures reveal the flagship Manxman is driving an increase in passengers travelling by ferry.  Almost 70,000 passengers travelled in Q1, in comparison to almost 57,000 passengers that travelled over the same period last year.

That’s an increase of 21%, partially helped by Easter falling earlier in the year, but also driven by increased use of the Heysham route and the high-quality facilities and level of comfort provided by Manxman.

The transportation of essential freight to the island in Q1 also saw a 7% increase, with almost 104,000 meters of freight being carried versus over 96,000 last year.

May 03
Love1

Dennis Tetzlaff appointed Chief Operating Officer Fleet at Stena Line

By 2024 newsletter week 18

As of 1 May 2024, Dennis Tetzlaff is Stena Line’s new Chief Operating Officer Fleet and part of the group management team.

Dennis Tetzlaff enters his new role with a wealth of experience, having worked in various professions within the shipping and cruise industry over the past two decades. Most recently, he comes from TUI Cruises, where he served as the Vice President Fleet Operations & Newbuild.

More info here.

May 03
Love1

Ferry Crossings of Biodiversity and Climate

By 2024 newsletter week 18

The French Biodiversity Office, in partnership with ADEME and CORSICA Linea, is launching the call for projects “Crossings of Biodiversity and Climate”. The deadline for applications is set for June 16, 2024.

Intended for environmental protection associations in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Corsica, the call for projects “Crossings of Biodiversity and Climate” aims to support animation projects that promote citizen engagement in ecological transition during crossings between Corsica and the mainland.

These animations should:

  • raise awareness among various audiences (passengers, crew, carriers)
  • help understand the impacts of human activities on biodiversity and the challenges related to ecological transition
  • encourage citizens to take action to support transformative changes

The winning associations of the call for projects will carry out animations aboard RoPax A Galeotta during 44 crossings in September 2024, October 2024, May 2025, June 2025, July 2025, and August 2025. Four animation sessions for both crews of the ship will take place dockside in 2025.

More official information here (in French)