May 26
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Grimaldi unique bidder for the maritime continuity on the Civitavecchia – Arbatax – Cagliari route

By 2023 Newsletter week 21
  • Following a public tender launched by the Italian transport ministry earlier this year, Grimaldi Euromed, company controlled by Grimaldi Group, emerged as the only bidder and so is very likely to prolong the subsidised maritime link on the route Civitavecchia – Arbatax – Cagliari.
  • Deadline for submitting offers was 5 May 2023 and binding price stood at EUR 42.4 million.
  • Grimaldi offered EUR 26.9 million for the next cycle of maritime continuity between the Italian mainland and Sardinia set to last three years.
  • The ro-pax vessel to be deployed on the line will be most likely the ferry CORFU.
May 26
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Largest RoRo ever in Italian Port of Vasto

By 2023 Newsletter week 21
  • On Sunday 21 May, brand new Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft -built RoRo vessel ABU SAMRAH was in Port of Vasto for the first time.
  • With a length of 209m, it is the largest ship ever that called Porto di Vasto (Adriatic Sea, Italy).
  • The ship embarked 450 vans bound for Algeria. It represents one of the many new traffics that are entering the Vasto maritime panorama, which revolves around the transport of motor vehicles produced in the Stellantis plant in Val di Sangro. In the coming months, production will increase exponentially.
  • This milestone follows the arrival of Grimaldi’s EUROCARGO SALERNO last November, which loaded more than 650 vans.
May 26
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BLUE STAR 1 returns to Greece

By 2023 Newsletter week 21
  • After 26 months in the Irish Sea, Blue Star Ferries’ BLUE STAR 1 returns to Greece.
  • Since March 2021 the ship was chartered by Irish Ferries for Pembroke-Rosslare, replacing ISLE OF INISHMORE.
  • The ro-pax will enter service on July 1, 2023 on the Piraeus – Paros – Naxos – Santorini line, replacing her fleet mate BLUE STAR PATMOS on her afternoon sailings (17.30).
  • BLUE STAR 1 will call at Syros (three times a week) and the port of Anafi (twice a week).
  • The ship will serve that line until September 11.

Photo: Blue Star Ferries

May 26
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Aegean Sea lines’ ANEMOS enters service on June 26

By 2023 Newsletter week 21

Aegean Sea Lines announced their return to the Hellenic Coastal Lines with ANEMOS (former ROSELLA) on June 26, 2023. The ship will serve on the Piraeus – Serifos – Sifnos – Milos and Piraeus – Sifnos – Ios – Santorini lines.

Currently, she is dry docked and undergoing interior refit at Perama repair zone. According to Aegean Sea Lines: “A trip is not just about booking tickets. It is much more. It’s the prompt service, the comfort, the upgrade options, the amenities, but most of all the sense of security that you and your loved ones have trusted the right people. Modern ships, impeccable staff, human treatment. Now you have the right ferry company for the Cyclades”.

Photo: Aegean Sea lines

May 26
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Wasaline allocates more resources to sustainability

By 2023 Newsletter week 21
  • Wasaline is making organizational changes to emphasize its role as a forerunner in maritime sustainability.
  • Catarina Fant has been appointed as Director, Brand, Communications and Sustainability. In her new role she will also oversee strategic investments and establish contacts with partners and financiers in sustainability-related projects.
  • Responsibility for marketing duties will be shifted from Fant to Marketing Manager Markku Ikonen. He reports to Head of Sales and Business Development Niina Aitamurto. Niina will lead the updated sales and marketing organization as well as the Growth Team, a cross-functional unit that is responsible for driving company growth.
  • By making these changes, Wasaline responds to the growing demand in the market and stays one step ahead.
May 26
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Fyn or ferry?

By 2023 Newsletter week 21

Molslinjen launched a calculator on their website, where motorists can get an estimate of how much they can save in terms of money and kilometres.

We did the test and imagined a journey from Kolding to Helsingør.

The answer was “We can’t help you save money, but you can save 21 km behind the wheel and enjoy a break on board Molslinjen.”

So, in this case it was cheaper to drive via the island of Fyn.

May 26
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Godby Shippings sponsors the building of a traditional sailing vessel

By 2023 Newsletter week 21

Godby Shipping is a proud sponsor of the non-profit project of building the sailing vessel EMELIA in Mariehamn. She will be over 25 meters long with two masts and eight sails and is planned to be ready for sailing during summer 2026.

The project will secure that the tradition of building and sailing traditional vessels is carried on to future generations. The original EMELIA was built in 1889-1890.

More info www.emelia.ax

May 26
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Brosnachadh don Ghàidhlig bho CMAL

By 2023 Newsletter week 21

Or in English “Boost for Gaelic language from CMAL”

  • Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has released the third iteration of its Gaelic Language Plan, designed to enhance the status of the language.
  • The plan sets out CMAL’s commitments to promote its use through a range of actions and initiatives, including bilingual signage at harbours and other properties; bilingual names for all ferries; Gaelic translation of communications hosted on its website and across social media. A number of employees are currently learning Gaelic.
May 26
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Incat Tasmania delivers EL DORADO EXPRESS

By 2023 Newsletter week 21
  • Incat Tasmania has handed over its latest building project, the 76m high speed passenger catamaran EL DORADO EXPRESS to South Korea.
  • Reflecting the exacting requirements of her owners the bespoke new ferry, Incat Hull 099, is predominately a passenger craft with ramp and cargo space forward.
  • She will operate for Daezer Ferry on the crossing between Pohang and Ulleung, an island 117 nautical miles off the eastern coast of South Korea supporting the needs of local residents and providing a service for tourists to the Islands.
  • More photos on website Incat.
May 26
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Asking ChatGPT: “How can AI help the ferry industry?”

By 2023 Newsletter week 21

AI can offer several benefits to the ferry industry by enhancing efficiency, safety, and customer experience. Here are some ways AI can help the ferry industry:

  1. Intelligent Fleet Management: AI can optimize ferry operations by analyzing data on weather conditions, passenger demand, traffic patterns, and other factors. It can help schedule ferries more efficiently, reducing waiting times and improving overall fleet management.
  2. Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms can monitor various components of ferries in real-time, analyzing sensor data to predict maintenance requirements. By detecting potential issues in advance, ferry operators can perform proactive maintenance, minimizing downtime and reducing costs.
  3. Enhanced Safety Measures: AI can contribute to improving safety in the ferry industry. Computer vision technologies can be employed to monitor passenger behavior, identify potential security threats, and detect abnormal activities. AI can also aid in monitoring weather conditions and predicting potential hazards to ensure safe operations.
  4. Intelligent Customer Service: AI-powered chatbots or virtual assistants can provide instant assistance to passengers, addressing their queries about schedules, ticketing, facilities, and more. Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms enable chatbots to understand and respond to passenger inquiries, improving customer experience and reducing the workload on customer service personnel.
  5. Automated Ticketing and Boarding: AI can streamline the ticketing and boarding processes by automating ticket validation, facial recognition-based identification, and automated passenger counting. This reduces queues and simplifies the passenger experience, leading to faster and more efficient boarding procedures.
  6. Route Optimization: AI algorithms can analyze historical data and real-time information to optimize ferry routes. By considering factors like passenger demand, traffic conditions, and fuel consumption, AI can suggest the most efficient routes, reducing travel time, and optimizing fuel usage.
  7. Environmental Impact Reduction: AI can aid in reducing the environmental impact of ferry operations. By optimizing routes, fuel consumption can be minimized, leading to lower carbon emissions. AI algorithms can also analyze data on energy usage to identify areas where energy efficiency can be improved.

Overall, AI can help the ferry industry by optimizing operations, improving safety, enhancing customer experience, and reducing costs. By leveraging AI technologies, ferry operators can achieve increased efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.