Feb 22
3

MOSOLF Expands To Port Of Oostende

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MOSOLF Group will expand its activities to the Port of Oostende, strengthening the Belgian port’s position as a multimodal logistics hub

Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Kirchheim unter Teck, Germany, MOSOLF provides vehicle handling and storage, transport, technical processing and port-based logistics solutions. The group is active in several European ports, offering RoRo services, breakbulk handling and value-added activities

In Oostende, MOSOLF’s activities are expected to include:

  • Vehicle handling and storage
  • RoRo logistics
  • Technical and value-added services
  • Sustainable multimodal transport solutions
Feb 22
3

Bastia Pilots Back “Portu Novu” Project

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The maritime pilots — responsible for guiding vessels in and out of the Port of Bastia — state that continued traffic growth is no longer feasible within the current infrastructure.

Following a series of simulations, they conclude that operational limits have been reached.

The pilots now support the development of the proposed “Portu Novu” project, located south of the city, as a long-term solution to:

  • Improve manoeuvring safety
  • Accommodate traffic growth
  • Safeguard Bastia’s role as a primary ferry gateway

For RoPax operators, the issue is structural: without capacity expansion, future deployment and schedule optimisation could be constrained.

Source: Corse Matin (in French) – Photo Mike Louagie

Feb 22
3

KALLISTE May Avoid Scrapping

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La Méridionale’s ferry KALLISTE could avoid demolition.

A solution aimed at returning the vessel to service is reportedly taking shape. No final decision has been made, but a serious alternative to scrapping in Turkey — the option previously considered by the CMA CGM Group — is now on the table.

Note from FSN: Recently, the unions have been striking against the scrapping. Last year, there were rumours that CMA CGM wanted to sell La Méridionale. The company has two RoPax ferries on order.

Source: Le Marin (in French) — Photo Jean-Pierre Fabre

Feb 13
3

Viking Line 2025: Stable Revenue, Softer EBIT, Record Freight

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Full Year 2025 (vs 2024)

  • Revenue: EUR 480.9 M (+0.2%)
  • Operating income (EBIT): EUR 21.1 M (down from EUR 26.7 M)
  • Profit before tax: EUR 18.9 M (EUR 19.8 M)
  • Net profit: EUR 16.0 M (EUR 15.9 M)

Traffic & Market

  • Passengers: 4,608,573 (–0.8%)
  • Total market share: 32.1% (32.8%)
  • Finland–Sweden share: 59.8% (unchanged)
  • Finland–Estonia share: 24.3% (24.5%)

Freight: Record Year

  • Cargo units: 139,484 (+3.9%) – new historical high
  • Freight market share: 19.4% (17.8%)
  • Fossil-free freight option introduced on all routes

Freight continues to outperform despite weak Finnish macro conditions.

Q4 2025: Improved Profitability

  • Revenue: EUR 112.6 M (+2.8%)
  • EBIT: EUR 3.6 M (EUR 1.5 M)
  • Net profit: EUR 4.1 M (EUR 3.5 M)

Passenger revenue rose 3.2%. Operating costs fell 0.6%.

Cost & Regulatory Pressure

  • Operating costs FY: EUR 328.6 M (+1.7%)
  • Emission allowance costs: EUR 4.5 M (EUR 3.1 M)
  • Wage costs +2.8%, partly due to Birka Gotland staffing
  • ETS phase-in increased to 70% in 2025
  • FuelEU Maritime entered into force 1 January 2025

Island exemption applies to parts of Turku–Stockholm and Helsinki–Stockholm routes.

Investments

  • Capex: EUR 19.6 M (4.1% of revenue)
    • Dockings (GABRIELLA, VIKING XPRS)
    • Emission allowances

Helios project (large electrified vessel concept for Helsinki–Tallinn) progressing.

2026 Outlook

  • Profit before tax expected on par with or slightly better than 2025
  • Continued uncertainty:
    • Weak consumer demand
    • Geopolitics
    • Energy prices
    • Emission costs
    • Source: Viking Line
Feb 13
3

Official Start of the HORIZON X Building Project

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Austal has marked a significant milestone in the construction of Horizon X, the next-generation high-speed ferry for Sweden’s Gotlandsbolaget, with a plate cutting ceremony held on 5 February 2026 at the Austal Philippines shipyard in Balamban, Cebu.

Horizon X is a 130m, hydrogen-ready, high-speed catamaran ferry — part of Gotlandsbolaget’s innovative Horizon X programme — and represents the largest vessel ever contracted to Austal.

The ferry is designed to carry up to 1,500 passengers and 400 vehicles and cargo and will be capable of operating on multiple fuel types, including future hydrogen and other low-emission alternatives.

VIP guests from left to right: Jonas Moberg, Head of Newbuilding, Gotlandsbolaget; Håkan Johansson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gotlandsbolaget; Paddy Gregg, CEO, Austal Limited; Björn Nilsson, CEO, Gotlandsbolaget; Wayne Murray, President, Austal Asia. (Image: Austal)

Source

Feb 13
3

Ferry FYNSHAV Sold by Molslinjen to Medmar Navi

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The 1998-built ferry FYNSHAV has been sold by Danish operator Molslinjen to Naples-based Medmar Navi.

The reported price for the vessel, now renamed MEDMAR MARTINA, was approximately EUR 4.5 million.

The ferry is expected to sail from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean in the coming days. It will undergo refit works before re-entering service in the Gulf of Naples next summer.

Medmar Navi, a short-sea operator controlled by the D’Abundo family, recently acquired two additional vessels as part of its fleet renewal programme: MEDMAR GIORGIA and HSC MEDMAR DONATA.

The ships will serve regular routes from Naples and Pozzuoli to the islands of Ischia and Procida.hoto: Wikimedia

Feb 13
3

Stormy Waters for Madar Maritime’s Ferry Operations?

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Last year, Madar Maritime chartered Tallink Grupp’s ROMANTIKA to operate ferry services between Algeria and Spain. Operations began in September 2025.

The vessel is now sailing off the Algerian coast, reportedly awaiting further instructions.

The suspension of crossings was made public on 5 February by Kada Nedjadi, President of the Transport Commission of the National People’s Assembly (APN).

The last thing published by the company was a storm warning, saying ‘safety first’ and ‘departure of 27/1 Cancelled’.

Feb 13
3

A Ceremony Marked the Official Completion of Stena Line’s Acquisition of Wasaline.

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“The close and strong cooperation between Sweden and Finland is of central strategic importance to both our countries. Robust and reliable transport links are a fundamental prerequisite for a competitive business sector as well as for strengthened preparedness and security. Ferry traffic between Sweden and Finland is attractive and viable, as underscored by today’s ceremony”, said Andreas Carlsson, Minister of Infrastructure in Sweden.

Together with Joakim Strand, Finland’s Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Dan Sten Olsson, owner of Stena Line, and Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line, they carried out the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Source: News Cision Stena Line

Feb 13
3

Stena Line Invests in Gothenburg–Kiel Upgrade

By | 2026 Newsletter week 07 | No Comments

Stena Line has invested millions in an extensive refurbishment and modernisation of STENA GERMANICA and STENA SCANDINAVICA, which operate on the Gothenburg–Kiel route. Following their recent return from shipyard, passengers can now enjoy renovated restaurant and bar areas as well as upgraded outdoor decks, completed ahead of the upcoming travel season.

The investment underlines Stena Line’s continued commitment to strengthening its overnight product on the important Sweden–Germany corridor and enhancing onboard comfort as competition across the Baltic intensifies.