- On July 23, 2021, Hellenic Med Ferries officially confirmed the sale of its vessel AZORES EXPRESS
- Former Channel ferry SAINT-ELOI (1975)
- To be renamed AQUA STAR
CMA CGM starts a new regular roro shortsea Med service connecting Marseille – Barcelona – Casablanca on August 24.
1 RoRo vessel: AKNOUL – 1,200 lane metres
Rotation: 7d – Marseille/Barcelona/Casablanca/Marseille
Frequency: Weekly
Transit times: Marseille > Casablanca in 3 days | Barcelona > Casablanca in 2 days | Casablanca > Marseille in 2.5 days
Advertised as “best transit times in this market” and “50% less CO2 compared to road transport via short ferry routes.”
- Greek Ferry Companies are expected to record losses of over 200 million euros in the period 2020-2021, due to the covid-19 crisis, although in 2021 it is estimated that there will be an increase in passenger traffic by 20% to 30% compared to 2020.
- The first half of 2021 closed with a reduction in passenger traffic by 5% to10%, while July ends with an increase in the number of travellers by 50% compared to July 2020.
- Passenger traffic has increased compared to last year, while, since July 1, demand has further strengthened, with an increase of 55% to 60% compared to the same period of 2020.
- Passenger traffic will be subdued in September – October, as the largest part of the demand comes from tourists travelling in groups, which does not show much momentum for the time being.
- Ferry operators estimate that passenger traffic will return to 2019 levels in 2022 if the pandemic will be stopped and there will be no more restrictive measures. Otherwise, the return of passenger traffic to pre-pandemic levels is postponed until 2024.
- The 80% – 85% of the passengers are mainly Greeks
- The expected improvement in passenger traffic this summer will probably not cover the increased fuel costs and the ferry companies are expected to record losses of about 100 million euros.
- Last year, ferry companies reported losses of 140 million euros, while the State’s financial support was only 30 million euros.
This week roro vessel HATCHE has been acquired by Polish Ocean Lines and renamed POL STELLA.
She is actually on charter with Stena Line, on the Europoort – Killingholme route.
Sister vessel QEZBAN already joined the POL-fleet in September 2020, as POL MARIS.
- Stena Line is deploying two renewed and lengthened ropax ferries on the route between Ventspils in Latvia and Nynäshamn in Sweden this year.
- The first of the two vessels, STENA SCANDICA, arrived in the port of Nynäshamn on 27 July, when it completed its overnight maiden voyage from Ventspils.
- The vessel adds another 70% more cabins and 30% more freight capacity compared to the existing vessels.
- Stena has doubled operations from one vessel and 10 departures per week in 2012 up to two vessels and 24 departures per week for passengers and freight in 2021.
- Ambition to double the number of passengers on the Baltic Sea route in 3 year
- Former route vessels STENA LIVIA and STENA FLAVIA will be redeployed on the route Liepāja – Travemünde (when STENA BALTICA is back from the yard in Turkey)
Pierre Antoine Villanova, Corsica Linea’s CEO, posted on LinkedIn a picture and a message announcing his visit at the Italian shipyard Cantiere Navale Visentini in Porto Viro (Rovigo).
“Our new ship starts to get the colours of the Corsica Linea family. This is our environmental transition in action!”
“How far we have come since the creation of the company 5 years ago!”
Length: 206m.
Lane metres: 2.560m with extra deck for 150 cars.
- Passengers: 650
- Speed: 23 knots
- Delivery is planned for 2022
- Designed by NAOS
On 14 July, the European Commission published its so-called “Fit for 55”-package, a package of proposals which should help deliver on the European Climate Law target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by at least 55% by 2030, and enable climate neutrality by 2050.
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomes the new “Fit for 55”-proposals as an important first step towards reaching the European Green Deal ambition and the 2030 and 2050 goals enshrined in the EU Climate Law.
“For Europe’s ports it is essential to ultimately achieve a policy that is effective in reducing emissions, is coherent, keeps an eye on the competitiveness of Europe’s port sector, is future-proof and does not create stranded assets or additional administrative burden for ports. It should take the diversity of the European port and maritime sector into due consideration,” says ESPO’s Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost.
“As a starting point, the “Fit for 55” programme looks very reasonable, and we feel that we have been heard,” says Executive Director of Security, Environment and Maritime Research, Maria Skipper Schwenn.
“If the EU plays its cards right, the tariffs in the proposal could be used to put pressure on the global CO2-prices at the IMO, and consequently contribute to creating unified, international solutions,” says Maria Skipper Schwenn.
Marine Atlantic Charters Stena’s 10th E-Flexer
Canadian Marine Atlantic has entered into a 5-year charter agreement with Stena North Sea Ltd. to supply a new RoPax vessel.
- It is Stena RoRo’s 10th E-Flexer
- Hybrid dual-fuel LNG battery
- Ice-classed
- Shorter version than standard. Length: 202.9 m
- Capacity: 1,100 persons onboard, 2 571 lane meters including 476 lane meters for private cars
- Compatible for use on both the Port aux Basques and Argentia services
- Enter service in the 2024-25 fiscal year
- Purchase option after five years