Oct 17
3

Color Group AS – Change in Executive Management

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments
  • CFO Bjørn Paulsen (72) retires after 26 years with Color Group AS.
  • Played a key role in the company’s financial stability and growth.
  • Successfully guided the group through the financial crisis and pandemic, leaving a robust and sustainable financial foundation.
  • Will continue contributing as a board member of Color Group / Color Line.
  • Christian Arndt (55) appointed new CFO.
  • Joined the company in 1999, Finance Director since 2013.
  • Brings strong expertise in finance, strategy, and deep insight into company operations.
  • Andreas Ringen (41) appointed Finance Manager.
  • Will combine this role with his current position as Portfolio Manager.

Source: Euronext

Oct 17
1

IMAGE CARDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

KiwiRail has agreed to sell its retired Interislander ferry ARATERE to a buyer who will deliver the vessel to a specialist recycling shipyard in India. The ferry made its final Cook Strait crossing in August, marking the end of 26 years of service. ARATERE was retired to enable the redevelopment of Picton port in preparation for two new Cook Strait ferries due to arrive in 2029.

Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy said the vessel was unsuitable for most ferry operators due to its age and the need for “significant” modification or specialist port infrastructure. “Therefore, we have pursued a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible recycling option,” he said.

KiwiRail carried out due diligence and physical inspections of the shipyard and worked closely with New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) throughout the process. The buyer will crew the ship for its final voyage to India, subject to EPA review.

HSC GOLDEN PRINCESS will be launched on the Cyclades route on 17 October. GOLDEN STAR FERRIES’ vessel (ex-GOTLANDIA II) will serve the Rafina–Tinos–Mykonos–Paros line, replacing her fleet mate HSC SUPEREXPRESS until 20 October. Currently at the port of Rafina, she was built in Italy in 2006. The ship can carry 900 passengers and 160 cars, sailing at 32 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Oct 10
3

September Volumes Show Mixed Picture for Freight

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DFDS reported September freight volumes of 3.5m lane metres, up 0.8% year-on-year but 1.2% lower when adjusted for route changes.

  • North Sea: Volumes remained stable across most routes, maintaining the same level as 2024.
  • Mediterranean: Declined due to a continued slowdown in Turkish automotive production and domestic demand, as well as reduced capacity on one route responding to market competition.
  • Channel: Increased, supported by the successful launch of the new Jersey routes.
  • Baltic Sea: Continued to perform above 2024 levels, sustaining positive growth.
  • Strait of Gibraltar: Also above 2024, contributing to overall resilience.

For the last twelve months (2025–24), total freight volumes rose 2.3% to 41.7m lane metres (up 1.2% when adjusted for route changes).

Passenger numbers, however, were weaker. In September, 392k passengers represented a 7.4% drop year-on-year (adjusted), with lower Channel traffic outweighing growth in the Baltic. Car volumes fell 5.7%, and total passenger numbers for the past year declined 14.5% to 5.5m (or 0.4% growth adjusted for route changes).

Oct 10
3

Finnlines Passenger Numbers Up 14% in Summer

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  • Finnlines carried 14% more private passengers between June and August 2025 compared with the same period in 2024.
  • Growth was strongest on the Malmö–Świnoujście route (+38%), which opened in April 2024.
  • Other routes also performed well: Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär (+19%) and Malmö–Travemünde and Helsinki–Travemünde (+4% each).
  • “We are delighted with the results and with the warm reception of our Poland service. We see great potential ahead,” says Marco Palmu, Head of Passenger Services.
  • The success reflects the impact of new routes and modernised vessels, including FINNSIRIUS and FINNCANOPUS, which have enhanced the passenger experience on the Sweden–Finland route.
Oct 10
3

Fincantieri Launches New RoPax for the Sicilian Region

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Fincantieri has launched the new RoPax ferry COSTANZA I DI SICILIA at its Palermo shipyard. Delivery is planned for summer 2026.

  • Built entirely in Palermo, the vessel will serve routes between Pantelleria, Lampedusa and Porto Empedocle.
  • With a length of about 140m and 14,500gt, the ferry will carry up to 1,000 passengers and 200 cars, reaching 19 knots.
  • Powered by dual-fuel engines (MGO/LNG) and equipped with solar panels and batteries, the ship will achieve zero emissions in port for up to four hours.
  • The Region of Sicily will become the first in Italy to own a ferry of this kind. The 2023 contract includes an option for a second unit.

The launch ceremony was attended by Renato Schifani, President of the Sicilian Region, and Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri.

Folgiero underlined Palermo’s strategic role within the Fincantieri network, highlighting plans to relaunch the yard as part of the Group’s new industrial plan.

Oct 10
3

WALLENIUS SOL Takes Key Step With Liquefied Biogas

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WALLENIUS SOL has started using Liquefied Biogas (LBG) in its BALTIC ENABLER and BOTNIA ENABLER multi-fuel vessels, following a new agreement with energy company Gasum.

  • The deal enables LBG supply through Gasum’s pooling system, supporting the use of renewable fuels at scale in shipping.
  • LBG, produced from organic waste, is chemically identical to LNG and can be used directly in existing dual-fuel engines.
  • The switch allows WALLENIUS SOL’s customers to reduce Scope 3 emissions. The LBG is RED II certified and ISCC traceable.
  • The first bunkerings took place in early October.

Rebecca Tagaeus, Sustainability Officer at WALLENIUS SOL, said the move is proof that the company’s Climate Roadmap is delivering tangible results and supporting customers’ climate goals.

Gasum’s Jacob Granqvist called pooling “a brilliant and easy opportunity” for maritime actors to join forces in reducing emissions.

Oct 10
3

GNV Polaris to Return to China for Upgrade

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The newly delivered GNV POLARIS will soon head back to the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China to increase passenger capacity ahead of next summer.

The first in a planned series of eight RoPax units, POLARIS will gain 132 additional cabins — bringing the total from 239 to 371 — aligning her design with GNV ORION and the upcoming GNV VIRGO, expected before year-end.

A spokesperson confirmed to Ferry Shipping News that the decision stems from a design variation planned for all new vessels. The company prioritised getting POLARIS into service quickly, with the refit scheduled to begin early next year. The ship will return to Italy in time for the 2026 summer season.

Oct 10
3

Food Waste Halved on Viking Line’s Turku Vessels

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  • Viking Line has nearly halved food waste on VIKING GLORY and VIKING GRACE through data, staff engagement and passenger awareness.
  • Waste fell from 137 g to 77 g per passenger in less than a year, far exceeding the target of 100 g.
  • The project began in autumn 2024 with support from Generation Waste, which provided monitoring technology and training.
  • Staff now use ingredients more efficiently — even root ends, tomato stalks and leftover croissants are reused in new dishes.
  • A survey of 2,000 Finns found that 58% value restaurants cutting waste and emissions, and 64% prefer locally sourced food.
  • Remaining food waste from VIKING GRACE, VIKING GLORY and VIKING XPRS is converted into biogas, a carbon-neutral fuel also used on the Turku route.