Apr 30
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First Splash in the Adriatic Sea for GRENDI HORIZON

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

The new RoRo ship GRENDI HORIZON, built by Cantiere Navale Visentini in Italy, has reached the Adriatic Sea for the first time after leaving the shipyard.

Following several days of sea trials, the vessel will enter dry dock in Trieste ahead of delivery, scheduled before the end of June.

The Musso family-controlled shipping company Grendi Trasporti Marittimi will operate GRENDI HORIZON under a five-year time charter. The ship will serve routes linking mainland Italy, via Marina di Carrara in Tuscany, with Cagliari and Olbia in Sardinia, as well as North Africa.

The newbuild offers 3,000 lane metres of capacity and will be:

  • Equipped with a scrubber
  • Methanol-ready
  • Cold ironing-ready
  • Operated under a European flag with a European crew
Apr 30
Love3

A NEPITA Dry Docked in Greece

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

On 28 April 2026, RoPax A NEPITA (ex SUPERFAST X) of Corsica Linea entered dry dock at the Perama repair zone.

The ship arrived in Greece in February 2026 for modifications (ramps and visor) following a five-year charter to Canadian operator Marine Atlantic for the North Sydney–Port aux Basques route.

She will be renamed ÎLE ROUGE and is expected to be ready at the end of May.

Built in Germany (HDW) in 2002, she carries 1,200 passengers and offers 1,920 lane metres. Service speed is 27 knots.

Photo: Ben Ayre

Apr 30
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SUPERSTAR II Launched on Sporades Route

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

On 29 April 2026, Seajets’ SUPERSTAR II (ex COLOR VIKING) entered service on the Volos–Sporades (Skiathos–Skopelos–Alonissos) route, replacing her older fleet mate SUPERSTAR (1974).

According to Seajets, the ship is a significant upgrade for the line and the largest vessel ever deployed to the Sporades islands. She was purchased from Color Line in November 2022.

Built in Denmark in 1985, she carries 1,400 passengers and 300 cars (500 lane metres) and sails at 17 knots.

Photo: Seajets

Apr 30
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Liberty Lines Completes Nine-Unit HSC Series with ETTORE MORACE

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

Liberty Lines, the Trapani-based ferry operator owned by the Morace family, has taken delivery of the ninth and final hybrid high-speed craft in a series built by Astilleros Armon (Vigo, Spain).

Named ETTORE MORACE, the vessel is part of an order placed in 2022 for nine units and has already arrived in Trapani, Sicily.

The new high-speed ferries feature an integrated propulsion system with MTU Series 4000 engines from Rolls-Royce. The hybrid configuration enables zero-emission operations in port, with up to 8 knots in full-electric mode and 30 knots in cruise.

The propulsion system combines conventional and electric power and results from collaboration between Liberty Lines, Astilleros Armon, Rolls-Royce, RINA, and Incat Crowther.

Apr 30
Love3

TT-Line Promotes Helsinki Rail-Sea Option via Stockholm

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

Ravestein B.V. has secured a major contract from Dragados SA for marine works linked to the new Immingham Eastern RoRo Terminal in the UK. Dragados is acting as main contractor on behalf of Associated British Ports.

The project will support Stena Line’s new terminal at the Port of Immingham, strengthening freight and passenger links across the North Sea. Planned facilities include unaccompanied trailer handling, HGV marshalling, passenger vehicles and container storage.

The new berths will be built in the Humber Estuary, on the eastern side of the Port of Immingham. Ravestein’s works are scheduled for completion in July 2027.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/press-release-ravestein-awarded-major-marine-infrastructure-dp9ge/

Apr 30
Love3

Ravestein Wins Major Immingham RoRo Terminal Contract

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

Ravestein B.V. has secured a major contract from Dragados SA for marine works linked to the new Immingham Eastern RoRo Terminal in the UK. Dragados is acting as main contractor on behalf of Associated British Ports.

The project will support Stena Line’s new terminal at the Port of Immingham, strengthening freight and passenger links across the North Sea. Planned facilities include unaccompanied trailer handling, HGV marshalling, passenger vehicles and container storage.

The new berths will be built in the Humber Estuary, on the eastern side of the Port of Immingham. Ravestein’s works are scheduled for completion in July 2027.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/press-release-ravestein-awarded-major-marine-infrastructure-dp9ge/

Apr 30
Love3

Port Askaig Shore Power Works Begin for New Islay Ferries

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

CMAL and SSEN have started infrastructure works at Port Askaig to provide shore power for the new Islay vessels. The project is being delivered in collaboration with Argyll and Bute Council and CalMac.

The scheme includes installation of a new high-voltage cable from the SSE substation at Keills to Port Askaig pier.

The full programme is expected to take four to five months. Travellers using Port Askaig are advised to allow extra time and expect delays during the construction period.

Source: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/ivew-port-askaig-shore-power-update/

Apr 30
Love3

Port of Turku: Ferry Traffic Stable, Investments Continue

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

Port of Turku handled 2.1 million passengers in 2025, down just 2%, retaining its position as Finland’s leading Sweden passenger gateway.

Total cargo throughput reached 1.5 million tonnes (-13%), with RoRo traffic at 1.1 million tonnes. The decline reflected route disruptions and dry-docking periods.

A positive development came late in the year when WALLENIUS SOL restored weekly Turku–Travemünde sailings.

Three daily departures to Stockholm by Viking Line and Tallink Silja continue to support accompanied freight flows.

Major investments are under way:

  • New Ferry Terminal Turku to open in 2027
  • New RoRo quay planned in West Harbour
  • Shore power projects progressing
  • 600 kW HGV fast charger added to truck park

Click on cover to access the annual report

Apr 30
Love3

Incat electric ferry waiting in Hobart as heavy-lift transporter is stuck in Strait of Hormuz

By 2026 Newsletter week 17, 2026 Newsletter week 18

The world’s largest electric ferry is sitting idle in Tasmania because the heavy-lift ship that was booked to take it to South America is stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.

The electric ferry has a 90-minute travel range, which is enough for its planned passenger service, but not enough to travel across the Pacific to its new home.

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-28/incat-electric-ferry-transporter-stuck-in-strait-of-hormuz/106614948

Apr 30
Love3

Temporary EU State Aid Framework to Support Short Sea Shipping

By 2026 Newsletter week 18

The European Commission has adopted a temporary State aid framework to enable Member States to support the EU economy in the context of the Middle East crisis. The Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) is a targeted, time-limited instrument addressing the impact of the crisis on the most exposed sectors, including short sea shipping. The framework will remain in force until 31 December 2026.

For intra-EU short sea shipping, Member States will be able to compensate up to 70% of a beneficiary’s additional fuel costs resulting from the crisis. The price increase will be calculated by each Member State as the difference between the relevant market price and a historical benchmark. Total eligible costs will be based on current or pre-crisis fuel consumption.

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_894