Mar 17
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Bornholm charters previous ship

By 2023 Newsletter week 11

From 11 to 27 April, Bornholmslinjen will charter the STENA VINGA to cover the dry-dock of the HAMMERSHUS.

 STENA VINGA was built for the Bornholm route as HAMMERODDE.  She sailed for the previous operator of the tendered service (Bornholmstrafikken/BornholmerFærgen) until Molslinjen’s Bornsholmslinjen took over in 2018.

Due to her previous long operation on the route, it is known that the vessel is suitable and fits the berths/ports.

The only difference in daily routine will be that STENA VINGA will depart from Rønne at 16:00 instead of 17:00. This will give extra time at Køge to load.  ‘Vinga has an additional upper vehicle deck.

Although officially allocated to the Göteborg – Frederikshavn route, STENA VINGA has operated on almost every current Stena Line route as a cover vessel.

Mar 17
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New Bornholm fast ferry further delayed

By 2023 Newsletter week 11

EXPRESS 5, being built by Austal, Philippines, has received a further delay in delivery.

This means that MAX MOLS cannot be released from the Bornholm route as planned to become the fourth fast ferry on Molslinjen’s Kattegat service.

MAX MOLS should have sailed on the route between Ebeltoft and Odden from 20 April, this date is now 11 May.

Photo: Molslinjen

Mar 17
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DFDS February volumes: freight lower as expected, continued passenger growth

By 2023 Newsletter week 11

Ferry – freight:

  • Total volumes in February 2023 were 8.6% below 2022. Volumes were 5.8% below 2022 adjusted for Channel that is impacted by a market decrease and overcapacity.
  • North Sea volumes were just below last year due to some slowdown in volumes to and from the UK.
  • Mediterranean volumes were likewise just below last year as the earthquake in Turkey lowered flows for some weeks.
  • Channel volumes were below last year due to a continued market decrease and a negative impact from the entry of a third ferry operator.
  • Baltic Sea volumes remained negatively impacted by the war in Ukraine.
  • For the last twelve months 2023-22, the total transported freight lane metres decreased 4.7% to 41.3m from 43.3m in 2022-21. The decrease was 2.3% adjusted for Channel.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers continued to recover and more than doubled to 211k equal to 89% of volumes in February 2019, the latest comparable month pre-Covid-19. The number of cars equalled 85% of volumes in 2019.
  • For the last twelve months 2023-22, the total number of passengers was 4.0m compared to 1.0m in 2022-21 and 5.1m in 2019.
Mar 17
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Q4 2022 Irish RoRo statistics revealed

By 2023 Newsletter week 11

The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) has published the latest sea freight statistics, covering Q 4 2022:

  • RoRo traffic at Republic of Ireland ports declined by 3%, compared to Q4 2021 with 295,192 units recorded. At Northern Irish ports the decline was 7% with 214,913 units recorded. The cause was said to be the global economic downturn.  The traffic split was 42% NI – GB, 39% ROI – GB and 19% ROI – EU.
  • 2022 was a record year for RoRo traffic to the Republic of Ireland, with 1.2 million units surpassed. The previous peak was 1.19 million units in 2019.
  • Of the 1.2 million units in 2022, 800,000 units were ROI – GB and 400,000 Direct EU routes. This compares to 1 million ROI – GB and 200,000 Direct EU pre-Brexit.  This is due to a decline in use of the UK Landbridge, decline in Northern Irish traffic using ROI – GB and some retail warehouses supplying ROI moving from the UK to mainland Europe.  Decline in Q4 was consistent across ROI – GB and ROI – EU.

The full report can be viewed here (Click on image)

Mar 17
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Tallink Grupp ship charter update

By 2023 Newsletter week 11

At the Tallink Grupp 2022 results webinar on 22 February, an update was given of the position of the charters of the company’s vessels.

 

Ship Charter Contract Expiry
ROMANTIKA Holland Norway Lines March 2025 – extension possible
ATLANTIC VISION/SUPERFAST IX Marine Atlantic May 2024 – extension possible
SILJA EUROPA Dutch Government (Ukrainian migrant accommodation) June 2023 – extension possible
ISABELLE Estonian Government (Ukrainian migrant accommodation) June 2023 – extension possible
VICTORIA I Scottish Government (Ukrainian migrant accommodation) June 2023 – extension possible
GALAXY Dutch Government (Ukrainian migrant accommodation) April 2023 – extension possible
Mar 17
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Tallink Grupp loyalty programme reaches 3 million

By 2023 Newsletter week 11

Tallink Silja’s loyalty programme, Club One, welcomed its 3 millionth member on 10 March 2023.

Founded 16 years ago, the club’s members are primarily from Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia.  However, 217 countries worldwide are represented.

Members earn points on travel and onboard purchases which can then be used on future travel or discount at Tallink Hotels.  There are also discounts available to members at many shore side partner locations.

Mr Ari Moilanen, onboard Tallink’s shuttle vessel Megastar on 10 March 2023, receiving the prize for joining Tallink Silja Line loyalty programme Club One as the 3 millionth member, joined by Ms Siiri Toomsalu, Head of Group B2C Loyalty and Offerings at Tallink Grupp; and, on his left, Megastar captain, Master Vahur Sõstra and Megastar Intendant Üllar Märtin.

Photo: Tallink Grupp.

Mar 17
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Tender launched for refitting aged Italian ferry

By 2023 Newsletter week 11

Local public ferry company Actv, on behalf of the Veneto Region, has launched a public tender for the refit of the MARCO POLO 1, a ferry built in 1983 by the De Poli shipyard in Venice.

The tender price is EUR 4.217 million and bids must be submitted by interested parties by 14 April.

The renovation of the MARCO POLO 1 is part of a broader investment plan for the fleet dedicated to local public transport in the Veneto Region.  The funding is approximately EUR 154.492 million and includes projects to build 32 new ships and several pontoons, as well as the refitting of 37 vessels.

Photo: Actv

Mar 17
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4th Grimaldi ship for Venice – Greece route

By 2023 Newsletter week 11

Speaking at the Let Expo exhibition held in Verona, the Commercial Director of Grimaldi Euromed, Guido Grimaldi, announced that a fourth ro-ro ship has been deployed by the company on the maritime link offered between North Adriatic, Southern Italy and Greece.

More specifically, the ports of Venice, Bari and Patras are now linked with four ferries, offering six sailings per week.  Each ro-ro unit has a capacity to transport up to 250 trailers each.

A second ship on this line had been deployed by Grimaldi in 2016 and the third in 2021. Now it’s time for the fourth vessel.

Photo: Grimaldi Lines