Feb 08
3

Stena Line To Close Halmstad–Grenaa Route

By | 2026 Newsletter week 06 | No Comments

Stena Line will discontinue its ferry connection between Halmstad (Sweden) and Grenaa (Denmark).
STENA NAUTICA will continue operating the route until 30 April 2026.

Key points:

  • The decision follows long-term difficulties in achieving profitability on the route.
  • Stena Line will focus investments on routes with clearer demand, supporting both freight and passenger traffic more efficiently.
  • Main factors behind the closure include:
    • Strong competition from fixed bridge links in Denmark
    • A strained cost environment
    • Challenging market conditions driven by global uncertainty and weak economic climate
  • Stena Line has served Halmstad–Grenaa since 2020, after relocating from Varberg.
  • Agreements will be reached with Hallands Hamnar and Grenå Port to terminate the cooperation.
Feb 08
3

Ports Of Stockholm Reports Positive 2025 With Growth In Passenger Traffic

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Ports of Stockholm is closing 2025 with stable cargo volumes and rising passenger numbers across both ferry and cruise operations.

Key points:

  • Total cargo throughput reached nearly 5 million tonnes, showing a marginal increase year-on-year.
  • Ferry passenger traffic grew by around 2% compared with 2024.
  • Almost 7 million passengers travelled on Baltic Sea ferry services.
  • Cruise activity remained strong, confirming Stockholm’s position as the Baltic Sea’s leading cruise destination.
  • In 2025, 136 cruise vessels called at Stockholm and Nynäshamn.
  • Cruise passenger numbers rose to 256,000, up 30% compared with 2024.
  • Winter cruising continued to develop, with monthly calls from November to March, supporting Stockholm’s ambition as a year-round destination.

Ports of Stockholm underlined the importance of stable freight flows for regional supply, particularly for the construction sector in the Mälaren region.

Photo: Ports of Stockholm/Per-Erik Adamsson

Feb 08
3

IMO Advances Safety Framework For Alternative Fuels And New Technologies

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IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) has finalised a workplan to develop a safety regulatory framework for ships using new technologies and alternative fuels to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Key points:

  • The draft workplan will be submitted to MSC 111 for approval in May 2026.
  • Regulatory work will cover safety rules linked to:
    • Nuclear power
    • Wind propulsion and wind-assisted power
    • Lithium-ion batteries and swappable battery containers

Link: https://www.imo.org

Feb 08
3

Port Leadership Change in Ystad

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Port of Ystad has appointed Veronika Leo as its new Managing Director. She succeeds Björn Boström, who is stepping down after 17 years in the role.

Leo has been the port’s Financial Manager for the past five years. The Supervisory Board highlighted her strong industry insight and leadership skills as key reasons for the internal appointment.

The transition began at the turn of the year, with Boström taking on a Senior Advisor role until March.

The Port of Ystad continues to expand its strategic role in Swedish and regional ferry logistics:

  • Sweden’s second largest railway ferry port
  • Third largest ferry passenger port
  • Key hub for RoRo and freight flows
  • Only direct daily rail ferry connection between Sweden and Poland
Feb 08
3

Molslinjen To Appoint New CEO

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Molslinjen has started the process of recruiting a new CEO.
Kristian Durhuus will step down after nearly three years in the role.

  • Durhuus became CEO in March 2023 following Molslinjen’s acquisition of ForSea, now Øresundslinjen.
  • Owners Nordic Ferry Infrastructure (NFI) say the next development phase requires a different leadership profile.
  • Major strategic projects are completed or well underway, including:
    • Full integration of Øresundslinjen
    • New electric ferries in operation on Alslinjen and Samsølinjen
    • Construction of three battery-powered catamarans in Australia
  • Electrification of Kattegat services is now in progress.
  • Carsten Jensen, CEO of NFI, will serve as interim CEO until a successor is appointed.

Durhuus said he is proud to have contributed to what he described as the world’s largest electrification project at sea.

Feb 02
3

Stena RoRo Orders Next-Generation Future-Proofed C-FLEXER RoRo’s

By | 2026 Newsketter week 05 | No Comments

Stena RoRo has placed an order for 2 next-generation C-FLEXER RoRo vessels (+4 options)

The vessels are designed to meet future regulatory and fuel requirements.

Key points:

  • Yard: China Merchants Industry Weihai
  • Developed by Stena RoRo in close cooperation with NAOS Ship and Boat Design
  • Multi-fuel engines prepared for low-carbon fuels
  • Battery-hybrid readiness included in the design
  • Focus on efficiency and operational flexibility
  • Delivery in March and June 2029 respectively. The optional vessels will be delivered at three-month intervals thereafter.
  • Length: 200m | Beam: 31m | Dwt: about 15,000 ton | Draft: 7,5 m |Speed: 21 knots
  • Capacity depends on configuration 3-deck version: 3,400 lane metres or 4-deck version: 4,750 lane metres

Source: Stena RoRo Illustration Peter Mild

Feb 02
3

Poland: Shareholder Agreement Signed for POLSCA S.A.

By | 2026 Newsketter week 05 | No Comments

An agreement was officially signed on 27 January at the headquarters of Polska Żegluga Morska P.P., confirming the acquisition of shares in POLSCA S.A.

The signing marks an important milestone for ferry transport cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, reflecting a shared strategy for future market development.

The shareholders of POLSCA S.A. are:

  • Polska Żegluga Morska Group (shipowner Unity Line)
  • Hass Holding (shipowner EuroAfrica)
  • Polska Żegluga Bałtycka S.A. (shipowner Polferries)

The partners emphasised that the cooperation represents a long-term commitment to modern ferry shipping and the strengthening of connections between people, markets, and ports across the Baltic.

Source: LinkedIn statement, 27 January 2026.

Feb 02
3

Isle of Man Steam Packet Seeks Public Input on New Vessel for 2030

By | 2026 Newsketter week 05 | No Comments

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IOMSPC) has launched an online public consultation as planning progresses for the next vessel to join its fleet, due to enter service in 2030.

The ship will replace HSC MANANNAN, which has operated with the company since 2009.

IOMSPC stressed that the newbuild will not be a like-for-like replacement, reflecting changes in technology, regulations, and evolving customer expectations.

The consultation is being carried out via an online survey, with further project details to be released at a later stage.

New Vessel Public Consultation Survey

Photo: Philpos, Wikipedia

Feb 02
3

New RoRo Ship From Cantiere Navale Visentini to Be Named GRENDI HORIZON

By | 2026 Newsketter week 05 | No Comments

The new RoRo vessel currently under construction at CANTIERE NAVALE VISENTINI in Italy will be named GRENDI HORIZON. Delivery is expected before next summer.

The Musso family-controlled shipping line will take delivery of its fifth ship in June, under a five-year time charter.

The newbuild will offer 3,000 lane metres of capacity. It will strengthen Grendi’s RoRo services on national and international routes.

GRENDI HORIZON will be:

  • Equipped with a scrubber
  • Methanol-ready
  • Cold ironing-ready
  • Operated under a European flag with a European crew

The ship’s name was chosen through an online vote involving employees, partners, and customers.