Jun 23
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Sea trials for the Golden Star Ferries ANDROS QUEEN

By 2023 Newsletter week 25

On June 18, 2023 Golden Star Ferries flagship ANDROS QUEEN (ex SILVER QUEEN) underwent her sea trials successfully in the Saronic Gulf.

The ship managed to steam at 23 knots.

According to the latest information, the ship is expected to leave Perama Repair Zone for the Port of Rafina until June 25, while she will make her debut on the Rafina – Andros -Tinos – Mykonos line on June 30.

ANDROS QUEEN was built in Japan in 1998.

Her carrying capacity is for 1,400 passengers and 360 private cars, while her service speed is 21 knots.

Photo: Golden Star Ferries

Jun 23
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EL. VENIZELOS on the Piraeus – Chania line on June 23

By 2023 Newsletter week 25

On June 23, 2023, Anek Lines’ flagship EL. VENIZELOS will join her fleet mate ELYROS on the classic Piraeus – Chania (Crete) line. The large ship was out of service for almost three years and it was decided to reintroduce her into the Hellenic Coastal Shipping in the beginning of 2023, replacing Blue Star Ferries’ RoPax BLUE GALAXY.

Since February she has been undergoing a full refit, dry docking and engine overhauling at Perama Repair Zone.

On June 20 she successfully underwent her sea trials as well.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Jun 23
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Grendi charters ESTRADEN adding RoRo tonnage on the Carrara – Olbia line

By 2023 Newsletter week 25

Italy’s Grendi Trasporti Marittimi, company part of Grendi Group, has just chartered-in the RoRo ship ESTRADEN (owned by Bore) in order to strengthen its cargo capacity on the Marina di Carrara – Olbia route from mid July.

Frequency of the regular service will grow from 3 to 4 times per week.

This 1999-built RoRo unit can offer 2,260 lane metres capacity and is also equipped with two rotor sails.

Jun 23
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Brittany Ferries selected Rina’s Sertica as the preferred fleet management system

By 2023 Newsletter week 25

Brittany Ferries has selected Rina’s Sertica as its new fleet management system.

A statement from the Italian group explains that the decision to implement Sertica followed an extensive evaluation by Brittany Ferries, in seeking a reliable and hosted fleet management solution. It is specifically designed to streamline and optimize maritime operations, by offering a wide range of features for maintenance, procurement and safety management. The system empowers fleet operators with the tools to enhance efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance.

By adopting Rina’s system, Brittany Ferries will replace multiple systems and reinforce its commitment to excellence and innovation in the maritime industry.

Jun 16
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DFDS May volumes: freight slowdown as expected, passengers up 31%

By 2023 Newsletter week 24

FRS announced that it has acquired the high-speed Incat catamaran HSC ARTEMIS to enhance its operations in the Strait of Gibraltar.  The fast ferry has been renamed PONIENTE JET and is undergoing a complete refurbishment.

It can accommodate 640 passengers, 180 vehicles, and up to 330 linear meters of cargo.

The PONIENTE JET will join the FRS fleet in July.

Previously the vessel was in service with Ponte Ferries, starting in November 2021, followed by a complete stop in September 2022.

Jun 16
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From “Ponte” to “Poniente”

By 2023 Newsletter week 24

FRS announced that it has acquired the high-speed Incat catamaran HSC ARTEMIS to enhance its operations in the Strait of Gibraltar.  The fast ferry has been renamed PONIENTE JET and is undergoing a complete refurbishment.

It can accommodate 640 passengers, 180 vehicles, and up to 330 linear meters of cargo.

The PONIENTE JET will join the FRS fleet in July.

Previously the vessel was in service with Ponte Ferries, starting in November 2021, followed by a complete stop in September 2022.

Jun 16
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Grimaldi Group is declared preferred investor for the Port of Heraklion

By 2023 Newsletter week 24

On June 12, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund proceeded to the unsealing of the two binding offers received on April 24, 2023, for the 67% of the Heraklion Port Authority SA.

After the unsealing, the Board of Directors of the Fund decided to award the tender to Grimaldi Euromed S.p.A. & Minoan Lines N.E. for a total price of EUR 80 million for the 67% of the shares. Grimaldi Group’s offer was by far higher and announced as the preferred investor for the port.

The tender file will be submitted to the Court of Auditors for pre-contractual review. After this approval the contracts will be signed.

The Italian group has spent in total EUR 164 million to gain control of the Ports of Igoumenitsa and Heraklion.

Grimaldi Group is interested in using the port of Heraklion as a hub for electric cars that they will be transported from China and then send them with a feeder to Europe. They are also interested in the further development of cruise sector.

Jun 16
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NISSOS AEGINA will be introduced on the Sporades run mid-June

By 2023 Newsletter week 24

Anes Ferries announced that its vessel NISSOS AEGINA (ex MIDSLAND) will be transferred to the Mandoudi (Evia) – Skiathos – Skopelos line from June 15, 2023.

The ship was chartered from Leve Ferries and since February 2023 she was introduced on the Piraeus – Aegina line replacing her fleet mate AGIOS NEKTARIOS that returned this week.

NISSOS AEGINA was built in Germany in 1974. Her carrying capacity is for 1,000 passengers and 65 cars.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Jun 16
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Saos Ferries’ SAONISSOS enters service on the Evia-Sporades run

By 2023 Newsletter week 24

Saos Ferries announced that its ferry SAONISSOS will soon be introduced on the Mandoudi (Evia) – Skiathos – Skopelos line.

On June 12, 2023, the Japanese-built ship carried out her sea trials successfully and is expected to serve the line till the end of the month. According to Saos Ferries, SAONISSOS will shorten the distance to the islands of the line and consequently the travel time, as well as the cost will be reduced.

SAONISSOS was built in Japan in 1994. Her carrying capacity is for 400 passengers and 85 cars. Speed 17.5 knots.

Photo: Saos Ferries

Jun 16
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A-ships Management GOLDEN BRIDGE left Greece for her Western Mediterranean service

By 2023 Newsletter week 24

On June 13, 2023, A-Ships Management’s GOLDEN BRIDGE departed from Greece with destination Spain.

The Ro-Pax is being chartered out to GNV since September 2021 and she will initially serve the Barcelona – Majorca – Ibiza line. Then she will be transferred on the Almeria – Nador long run for the rest of the summer period.

The ship arrived in Greece for repairs and dry docking in May.

Photo: A Ships Management