The new Thessaloniki-Izmir ferry connection will be probably launched in September

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According to the Greek press the much-awaited Thessaloniki — Mytilene — Izmir line will be introduced September 15. The so-called “friendship line” is Levante Ferries’ first attempt to operate in the international services.

The luxurious SMYRNA DI LEVANTE (former KOPERNIK/1977), has already passed successfully all the necessary inspections, while all the custom procedures between the two countries have been completed.

SMYRNA DI LEVANTE will offer 200 cabins and space for 930 passengers and 60 trucks. She will ply at 18 knots covering the distance in 12-14 hours. The ship is planned to carry both passengers and freight in order to be profitable, performing three sailing per week.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Stena Line reports 11% reduction of carbon emissions

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Stena Line has decreased the carbon emissions by 11% per tonne of cargo carried over each nautical mile, as well as achieving a reduction of 4% total ship emissions compared to pre-Covid operations. The main contributor to the result is the significantly higher utilisation and thus efficiency of the company´s fleet with cargo during the latest years. In its roadmap to a net-zero future, Stena Line has set up a target to reduce total CO2 emissions from its vessels by 30% by 2030.

During port operations and lay times, Stena Line now uses 100% renewable electricity. The energy is used for shore power at 20% of Stena Line´s terminals while berthing, to load battery packages on-board and for electric vehicles onshore that are used during port operations. Furthermore, initiatives like prior access to e-trucks to Stena Line´s ferries and pilot projects to use recycled methanol from the steel industry as shipping fuel lay the foundation for further step-wise greening of the operations of Stena Line.

Stena Line´s sustainability efforts are based on six dedicated Sustainable Development goals of the UN: Affordable and clean energy, responsible consumption and production, life below water, gender equality, reduced inequalities, good health and well-being. 

Further highlights in Stena Line´s sustainability efforts during 2021 include:

  • A recycling rate of 42% of waste and a fallback of landfill waste to 2019 levels (24%), before plastic use increased for safety purposes
  • 50% female representation in Stena Line’s Group Management Team
  • Appointing the first female captain in Lynette Bryson, serving on Stena Aventurer on the key route Dublin-Holyhead
  • Recruiting the first Diversity and Inclusion Lead in Salem Yohannes, helping Stena Line to speed up the journey to equality and launch of a diversity and inclusion campaign
  • Introducing Maria Tornvall as new Head of Sustainability, committed to aligning Stena Line´s sustainable actions towards the ambitious targets
  • Improving employee indicators such as engagement, team efficiency, leadership, organisation and social work environment above benchmark and achievement of a positive net promoter score of 9 – meaning  employees would recommend Stena Line as an attractive workplace.
  • Reduction of sick leave average from 5,2% to 4,2%

GNV’s seasonal Almeria – Nador maritime bridge to become full year

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The new GNV ferry link launched this summer between the ports of Almeria (Spain) and Nador (Morocco) will be operational full year, not just seasonal.

A spokesperson from the Genoa-based company said to Ferry Shipping News that

ropax GNV CRISTAL will replace the AURELIA in the coming weeks.

GNV will deploy the ferry GNV CRISTAL, calling at the port of Sète (France), Almeria and Nador instead of Nador — Barcelona — Sète route.

“This connection accounts for the progressive increase in our offer to respond to market demand in terms of services and lines and demonstrates the company’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Spanish ports” said GNV’s CEO Matteo Catani announcing the new line launched from Almeria.

Industry-first digital climate twin to enable greener ferries

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Scandlines has chosen the Danish climate tech startup ReFlow (*) to develop advanced climate twins of its latest “Zero-emission” ferry design using cutting-edge life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology.

The steel is currently being cut at Cemre Shipyard for the zero-emission vessel contracted by Scandlines for the Puttgarden-Rødby route. Over the following months, ReFlow will build a detailed life-cycle model representing the vessel from its construction to its end of life many years from now. The model will show the environmental impact of the ferry, not only in its use but also from its construction at Cemre Shipyard along with the installed equipment. The digital “climate twin” will make it possible for Scandlines to run simulations on the use of new green technology on the ferry something that is nearly impossible today.

(*) ReFlow: The 16-person Danish-based climate tech startup advises leading shipowners and OEMs and non-maritime actors on climate matters related to their products and vessels, providing much-needed granular and science-based digital climate data. ReFlow launched its digital solution last year and is already used by major shipowners and suppliers as it makes it easy to make lifecycle calculations, simulations and share this data.

Rederi Gotland prepares listing on Nasdaq First North Growth Market

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Rederiaktiebolaget Gotland, Sweden’s oldest passenger shipping company, announced its intention to implement a listing of the Company’s A shares and B shares respectively on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market.

No offer or sale of the Company’s A shares or B shares will take place in connection with the Listing.

“This is a natural and important step in our development. We want to create good conditions for value creation, better conditions for our shareholders, more clearly demonstrate our development and the exciting journey we have ahead of us.” comments Managing Director Håkan Johansson.

Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) and Oceanex sign MoU for the design of a climate-neutral and highly efficient ConRo vessel

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During a German delegation trip to Canada, FSG Managing Director Philipp Maracke together with Sid Hynes, Executive Chairman of Newfoundland based Oceanex Inc., signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the innovative design of a climate-neutral and highly efficient ConRo vessel, critical to future vessel replacement planning at Oceanex.

Alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, synthetic and biofuels will be studied.

Oceanex has already two FSG-built conro’s in its fleet (rendering).

Viking Line 2022, H1: Strong demand partly offset high energy prices

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January–June 2022 (compared to January–June 2021)

  • Sales amounted to EUR 199.8 M (EUR 71.5 M)
  • Other operating revenue was EUR 8.3 M (EUR 33.6 M)
  • Operating income totalled EUR -8.0 M (EUR 4.5 M)
  • Net financial items were EUR -4.7 M (EUR -2.4 M)
  • Income before taxes amounted to EUR -12.7 M (EUR 2.2 M)
  • Income after taxes totalled EUR -9.8 M (EUR 2.7 M).

Second quarter 2022 (compared to second quarter 2021)

  • Sales amounted to EUR 141.0 M (EUR 46.9 M)
  • Operating income totalled EUR 10.1 M (EUR 12.2 M)

Revised outlook

Operating income for the financial year 2022 will somewhat worse than the figure for 2021. However, the figure last year was affected by capital gains to a much greater extent than this year. There is still a significant and material uncertainty due to the geopolitical situation and its impact on energy prices, inflation, interest rates and currencies as well as the impact that the uncertainty factors identified may have on people’s inclination to travel, demand and costs.

Statistics H1

+248% passengers 1,875,706

-8.8% cargo units 59,522

14.5% market share cargo (16.8%)

29.4% market share passenger cars 29.4% (31.4%)

Molslinjen wins two ‘green’ tenders

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The Danish Ministry of Transport has announced that Molslinjen, after two tenders, will be awarded the next ten years for the ferry routes Alslinjen (Bøjden — Fynshav) and Samsølinjen (Kalundborg — Ballen)

Both routes will in future be operated by electric ferries powered by green electricity. The two ships will set completely new standards for electric ferries in Denmark.