May 13
2

Virtu Ferries’ New High-Speed Line Malta – Catania Postponed

By | 2021 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

The high-speed ferry operator Virtu Ferries publicly announced that the start of the new route between Malta and Catania (Sicily) will be postponed.

Last year, the company said it would deploy the vessel JEAN DE LA VALETTE between Valletta, Augusta and Catania in Q1 2021, responding to the requirements of Maltese and Sicilian importers and exporters.

The new plans see both JEAN DE LA VALETTE and SAINT JOHN PAUL II active during summer on Virtu Ferries’ maritime link between Malta and the Sicilian port of Pozzallo.

May 13
2

PORTS

By | 2021 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

New Facilities And Green Port Development Should Prepare The Port Of Hirtshals For The Future

Port of Hirtshals has announced a massive modernisation plan:

  • Port of Hirtshals will be expanded with a new entry and an outer port basin which should improve the navigational conditions significantly.
  • This will make it possible to call with larger vessels and in harsher weather conditions.
  • More quay and roro berths.
  • As part of the green development, an independent development company will be established.
  • Port to become a centre for production and utilisation of green energy by creating a sector coupling between e.g. district heating, green power and liquid biogas (LBG). Use of surplus heat.
  • Port of Hirtshals should be able to support the development of different means of propulsion, including for instance green power for e.g. hydrogen, ammonia and other green fuels.
Read more
May 13
2

IN THE MEDIA

By | 2021 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

Balearics: The Price Of Maritime Transport Will Drop By 25%

The arrival of Grimaldi (Trasmediterránea) and GNV on the Balearic Islands will cause a substantial price war, according to the business associations CAEB, Aviba and FEBT. The Italian companies will enter competition with FRS, Corsica Ferries and Baleària.

Source: Ultima Hora
May 13
5

SHORT NEWS

By | 2021 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

Fast Ferries’ HSC THUNDER Will Be Introduced In June

On 1 July 2021, Fast Ferries’ HSC THUNDER will be introduced on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos line.

She was purchased from Turkey in September 2019 but due to covid-19 her conversion was delayed. The ship was fully refurbished. She will depart from Piraeus every noon at 12.00 and return at 21.40.

Greek Ferry Operator Purchases AL SALMY 4

AL SALMY 4 (1974) -former EXPRESS SANTORINI- was sold to a Greek Ferry Company according to a reliable source.

The ship was recently inspected by the specific company and when the deal is concluded, Greek crew will fly to Dubai for her delivery.

AL SALMY 4 was sold to Salem Al Makrani Cargo Co (United Arab Emirates) in November 2016, while previously she operated in the Azores on behalf of the Portuguese Portucalence Shipping with great success.

Erlend Hovland Will Be The New Technical Director Of Norled

Norled’s new technical director is a graduate engineer in marine engineering from NTNU and has a doctorate in offshore technology from the University of Stavanger with a main focus on design and evaluation of ship concepts.

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Stena Line and Irish Ferries Call for Restoration of the Common Travel Area Into Ireland

With virus levels now low in Ireland and the UK, and vaccination programmes progressing in both countries, Irish Ferries and Stena Line are calling on Ministers and industry stakeholders to urgently look at restoring the long-standing CTA (*) agreement for Irish and UK citizens, and permit unrestricted travel between Britain and the island of Ireland.

(*) Common Travel Area

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May 06
2

Grandi Navi Veloci Starts A New Adventure In Spain

By | 2021 Newsletter week 18 | No Comments

Now it is official: GNV joins the competition on the routes to the Balearic Islands.

Start: beginning of July

Routes:

  • Barcelona – Palma de Mallorca – Ibiza
  • Valencia – Palma de Mallorca – Ibiza
  • Palma de Mallorca – Ibiza

Ships:

  • GNV SEALAND (2009) ex SCOTTISH VIKING / 2,255 lane metre / 195 cars / 880 pax
  • GNV BRIDGE (2021) 2,564 lane metre / 1,000 pax

On April 15, Grimaldi announced the entrance of the same market through acquisition and cooperation with Armas Trasmediterranea.

May 06
3

Tirrenia, Grimaldi And Grandi Navi Veloci Will Jointly Operate Civitavecchia – Olbia

By | 2021 Newsletter week 18 | No Comments

Three of the main players active on the local ferry market will cooperate to provide regular maritime links between Sardinia (Olbia) and mainland Italy (Civitavecchia) under the next maritime continuity scheme.

Following a dedicated tender launched earlier this year, the transport ministry accepted the proposal received by Tirrenia Cin, Grimaldi Group and Grandi Navi Veloci which decided to share the losses expected for the winter period (from October to May) but in change they will be the only three operators authorized to serve the same link during the summer season.

More specifically Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione (Moby group) will be the company which operates the route from October to May.

May 06
3

RoRo Capacity Continent – Ireland Continues To Increase

By | 2021 Newsletter week 18 | No Comments

Last week Grimaldi announced the start of an Antwerp – Cork roro feeder service.

Now CLdN says it will increase sailings between the Continent and Ireland, from eight to ten in each direction, on a weekly basis.

  • When: probably as from week 20
  • Routes: Zeebrugge / Rotterdam / Dublin
  • Ship 1: the 2,600 lane metre CADENA 3, currently being repaired in Rotterdam
  • Ship 2: a 4,000-lane-metre ship coming from the Med
  • Why: strong demand from customers + prepare the way for the introduction of further new builds arriving in Q4 2021 (LNG-powered)
May 06
2

LNG RoPax (Ex-) HONFLEUR To Be Ready in Q3

By | 2021 Newsletter week 18 | No Comments

In its annual report, SIEM Industries says that, “RoPax HONFLEUR is expected to be delivered in the third quarter this year. The intention is to sell the vessel or charter it out long-term. There appears to be good demand for vessels of the HONFLEUR’s specification.”

SIEM Industries owns the ferry which was initially ordered by Brittany Ferries but then rejected after the long delays and the trouble at the FSG Shipyard. The vessel was used as part of the settlement of the Company’s historic involvement with the yard.

The vessel is currently under construction at Fosen.

Annual Report SIEM Industries
May 06
2

Sea Lines Sells To Cenk Group

By | 2021 Newsletter week 18 | No Comments

Åland-based Sea Lines stops operating in the Black Sea.

  • Vessel SEA PARTNER (1978) was sold to competitor Cenk Group and renamed CENK T. [MarineTraffic]
  • Sea Lines route Karasu (Turkey) and Chornomorsk (Ukraine) suspended. [announcement website Sea Lines]
  • Sea Lines was founded in 2012 by the Eklund family, with Stena as partner until 2016.
  • “We have very good liquidity and are looking at several opportunities, mainly at home but also away,” says CEO Joe Lindblom to local media. [Sjöfart.ax]