DFDS: Agreement Keeps Oslo Ferry Moving

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The Metal Maritime union and DFDS have agreed on a negotiated solution for most employees on the two Oslo ferries. The agreement ensures that the ferries can continue to operate on this route, in spite of the Norwegian quarantine rules causing a decrease in passenger numbers. Regretfully, 26 servers will be redundant.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

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Sunday 13 September. The meeting was the first between the two since STENA ESTRID left the shipyard in Weihai, China, last November. She is currently operating on the Belfast-Cairnryan route and STENA EDDA on the Belfast-Liverpool route.

In the beginning of 2021 their sister STENA EMBLA will join on the Liverpool route.

FERRY SHIPPING

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Stena RoRo’s E-Flexer GALICIA Delivered to Brittany Ferries – with Higher Passenger Capacity

GALICIA, the first of three ships in the E-Flexer class ordered by Brittany Ferries was delivered on September 3. The vessel is the third E-Flexer of nine ordered by Stena RoRo from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai). The Galicia will be chartered by Brittany Ferries on a long-term basis and has been especially adapted to the wishes of the French ferry company:

  • The basic model car deck on Deck 7 has been converted to cabins. This, in combination with the deckhouse having been extended on both Decks 7 and 8, has enabled the number of cabins to be increased from 175 to 343.
  • Two scrubbers, one for each main engine
  • Two extra lifeboats added due to the ferry’s increased passenger capacity
  • The public spaces on Decks 7 and 8 have been partially given over to other functions compared to the basic model, but largely follow the E-Flexer standard.

“GALICIA is special because she is the first in the E-Flexer series to be delivered to an external customer,” says Per Westling, CEO for Stena RoRo. “The design has been adapted to Brittany Ferries’ special requirements and the yard has been able to deliver according to schedule despite the ongoing pandemic, which we are very happy about.”

Stena RoRo has an agreement with Brittany Ferries for long-term charters of two more vessels in the Stena E-Flexer series. Both will be powered by LNG, are under construction and will be delivered in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

International Charter Market and Bad Summer Affect Hellenic Coastal Shipping

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The Hellenic Coastal Shipping ends the summer season with:

  • A reduction of EUR 300 million in turnover
  • An average of 40% reduction in passenger traffic
  • Disappointing forecasts for 2021.

Greek ferry operators have mainly pinned their hopes on August, which unfortunately did not materialise:  -40% to -50% traffic.

September is also expected to be a bad month, as there are no reservations.

Color Line Takes Action to Save Costs and Enhance Efficiency

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Color Line will meet the challenging situation in connection with the pandemic with a comprehensive program for cost savings and efficiency. “The plans will secure jobs and future profitability,” says CEO Trond Kleivdal (photo).

Preliminary analyzes show a need to reduce costs by +/- NOK 300 million. This will lead to a reduction in the number of employees both on board and on land by approx. 300 man-years. In addition, measures will be taken to reduce other operating costs.

“Color Line plans to use as many voluntary schemes as possible in connection with the

downsizing,” says CEO Trond Kleivdal.