Nov 25
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Finnlines getting ready for the introduction of green ships in 2022

By 2021 Newsletter week 47

FINNECO III, the third and last hybrid roro vessel in a series, was launched in China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) on 22 November 2021.

When entering the Finnlines traffic, the new vessels will reduce environmental impact of the fleet and improve energy efficiency. Lithium-ion battery systems will allow zero-emission port visits and low-emission two-stroke engines, emission abatement systems, solar panels and an innovative air lubrication system will cut emissions further.

The hybrid roro vessels will start in Finnlines’ Baltic, North Sea and Biscay traffic in 2022.

Roro ship particulars

  • Ice class: 1 A Super
  • Length, overall: 238.0m
  • Breadth, moulded: 34.0m
  • Gross tonnage: 60,515
  • Deadweight: 17,377
  • Lane metres: 5,800
Nov 25
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French Minister of the Sea confirms State Aid for Brittany Ferries

By 2021 Newsletter week 47

French Minister of the Sea, Annick Girardin, has renewed the State’s commitment to pay a subsidy of 45 million euros to Brittany Ferries.

She came to Roscoff on 18 December, to meet Brittany Ferries’ president Jean-Marc Roué (photo) and staff (source: France Blue).

The money comes with a condition: no job loss.

In 2020, the company had more than 2,400 full time employees.

The company also obtained 10 million euros of debt waiver, long-term partial unemployment for 3 years, reimbursement of social charges for 4 years (the “net wage”), not to mention the loan guaranteed by the State, 117 million euros granted in 2020.

Nov 25
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Official start of Brittany Ferries freight route Le Havre – Rosslare

By 2021 Newsletter week 47

19 November 2021. Jean-Marc Roué, Brittany Ferries’ President, officially opened the first freight ferry link between Le Havre and Rosslare in 25 years.

The event was held in the presence of Thomas Byrne, Irish Minister of European Affairs, and Edouard Philippe, Lord Mayor of Le Havre and political heavyweight, who is rumoured to have presidential ambitions for the elections of 2027.

Nov 25
Love4

Brittany Ferries resumes Western Channel fast ferry sailings for 2022

By 2021 Newsletter week 47

From late May until early September 2022, Cherbourg will be linked with Portsmouth and Poole. The sailings will be operated on Brittany Ferries’ behalf by Condor Ferries using its fast ferry CONDOR LIBERATION.

Period: 27 May – 5 June and 15 July – 4 September

Days: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Timetable: Portsmouth 07:00 Cherbourg 11:00 / Cherbourg 11:45 Poole at 13:15

The service will complement Brittany Ferries’ conventional car-ferry sailings from Poole to Cherbourg which will resume on 28 March 2022.

Nov 25
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New shipbuilding contract to be awarded before the end of the year by RFI

By 2021 Newsletter week 47

Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, rail infrastructure network manager and company part of the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane group, said to ferry Shipping News that a newbuilding contract for a ferry is expected to be awarded before the end of the current year.

Last August a public tender was launched (with expiring date October the 8th) to find the shipyard which will be required to build a dual fuel (LNG/diesel electric) vessel able of transporting also railcars between the two side of the strait of Messina (Messina – Villa San Giovanni) and potentially to the port of Golfo Aranci, in Sardinia.

The tender price was over EUR 73 million and shipbuilding time 2 years and 4 months.

Nov 25
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Mediterranean pushes up DFDS’ freight activity

By 2021 Newsletter week 47

DFDS revealed in its latest Q3 interim report that revenue increased 22% to DKK 4.4bn driven by higher freight activity in most business units. (see also last newsletter)

The increase in the freight ferry result was primarily due to high growth in the Mediterranean.

As for the Mediterranean business unit, Q3 freight volumes increased 12.2% adjusted for the opening of a new route between Turkey (Izmir) and Spain (Tarragona).

The increase reflects high growth in Turkish exports to Europe with support from depreciation of the Turkish lira. Capacity was expanded in the route network to accommodate the growth, especially between Italy and Turkey.

Q3 EBITDA (Mediterranean) increased 47% to DKK 276m driven by the higher volumes and stable cost levels as well as better results for the port terminal and rail activities.

DFDS transported
3,685,000 lane metres
in the Med in the first 9 months of 2021

Nov 25
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CMAL is selecting a new name for UTNE

By 2021 Newsletter week 47

UTNE has joined the CMAL fleet. A competition has been opened to find a name.

The names in the shortlist are all associated with Mull, the island that the vessel will primarily serve.

  • LOCH FRISA – The largest loch on the Isle of Mull, located four miles south of Tobermory.
  • GLEN FORSA – A beautiful open glen in the heart of Mull, with the peak of Beinn Talaidh at its head.
  • TOROSAY – Torosay Castle was built in 1858 by architect David Bryce, and it sits on the northwest side of Mull’s Duart Bay.
Nov 25
Love4

Elbferry GmbH has been declared insolvent

By 2021 Newsletter week 47

Elbferry GmbH, the company that started in March with an LNG ferry between Brunsbüttel and Cuxhaven is bankrupt.

Reasons: LNG bunker prices / Less freight than expected / No corona state-aid

The ferry GREENFERRY I continues to operate for the time being. The company has made it clear on their social media channels.