Aug 03
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KRONPRINS FREDERIK Makes Final Voyage

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • KRONPRINS FREDERIK has completed its final voyage after 45 years of service.
  • The ferry sailed from Puttgarden to Esbjerg, where it will be handed over to Danish ship recycling company Smedegaarden A/S.
  • Built in 1981, the vessel initially operated for DSB on the Korsør–Nyborg route across the Great Belt until 1997.
  • It then joined Scandlines, serving first on the Rostock–Gedser route and most recently as a freight ferry between Puttgarden and Rødby.
  • The ferry was replaced in March 2026 by the new freight ferry THE BALTIC WHALE.
  • Scandlines had offered the vessel for sale, but no buyer was found, leading to the decision to recycle the ship at an EU-approved recycling facility.
Aug 03
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GOLDEN CARRIER Joins Trinidad & Tobago Cargo Sea Bridge

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • Trinidad & Tobago’s National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) has introduced GOLDEN CARRIER to the inter-island cargo sea bridge, replacing BLUE WAVE HARMONY while the latter undergoes scheduled maintenance and upgrades. The substitution is made under the existing charter agreement and at no additional cost.
  • A-Ships Management’s GOLDEN CARRIER offers a slightly higher freight capacity, with 1,950 lane metres compared with 1,925 lane metres, while maintaining the same 18.5-knot service speed.
  • Passenger capacity increases from 280 to 399, with 240 berths instead of 166, while cargo capabilities remain comparable.
  • The vessel began loaded sea trials on 26 July 2026.

Photo: Ioannis Arkoumanis

Aug 03
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ANEMOS Delivered to Seajets

By 2026 Newsletter week 31

On July 30, 2026, Cruise Ferry ANEMOS (ex-ROSELLA) was delivered to Seajets following her purchase from Aegean Sea Lines last June. The vessel arrived in Greece at the end of 2022 and served on the Piraeus–Serifos–Sifnos–Milos route. She is expected to operate on the Lavrion – North Aegean public routes after a small-scale refurbishment. Built in 1980 by Wärtsilä in Finland, the vessel can carry 1,500 passengers and 340 cars. Service speed is 19 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Aug 03
Love3

World’s Largest Battery-Electric Ship Loaded for South America Voyage

By 2026 Newsletter week 31

Incat has completed the loading of Hull 096, the world’s largest battery-electric ship, onto the heavy-lift vessel BLACK MARLIN at Hobart, Tasmania. Following a complex semi-submersible loading operation, the vessel will now begin its journey to South America. The milestone marks another major step in the delivery of the pioneering zero-emission ferry, which has attracted global attention for its scale and innovative design.

Aug 03
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CLdN Introduces First Electric 4×4 Tugmaster in Zeebrugge

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • CLdN and Terberg have introduced the first fully electric 4×4 RT253EV Tugmaster into CLdN’s RoRo operations.
  • The vehicle entered service on 29 July at the Port of Zeebrugge.
  • It will initially be used to load and discharge CLdN vessels on the Zeebrugge–UK routes.
  • The RT253EV produces zero exhaust emissions, reduces noise levels and is designed specifically for demanding RoRo operations.
  • Its electric drivetrain includes regenerative braking, improving energy efficiency while reducing brake wear and maintenance.
  • During the initial phase, the electric Tugmaster will operate alongside CLdN’s existing diesel fleet as the company evaluates the performance of zero-emission terminal tractors in daily operations.

Source: https://www.terbergspecialvehicles.com/en/news/Terberg-and-CLdN-Launch-First-Electric-4by4-Tugmaster-into-CLdNs-RoRo-operations/

Aug 03
Love3

Lerwick Harbour Expands Shore Power for NorthLink Ferries

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • Lerwick Harbour (Scotland) is expanding its shore power infrastructure at Holmsgarth Berth 3.
  • The project is being delivered in partnership with CMAL.
  • The new system will allow NorthLink passenger ferries to connect to the local electricity network while alongside.

Source: https://www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk/news/lerwick-harbour-expands-shore-power-infrastructure-for-northlink-vessels

Photo: Alexander Simpson

Jul 24
Love3

Tallink Reports Higher Half-Year Revenue And EBITDA As Cargo Volumes Improve

By 2026 Newsletter week 30
  • Q2 revenue: EUR 207 million, broadly stable year-on-year.
  • Q2 EBITDA: EUR 34.3 million, down EUR 3.1 million.
  • Q2 net result: Loss of EUR 2.5 million, including EUR 12.5 million in dividend-related income tax.
  • Passengers: 1.45 million in Q2, down 2.2%.
  • Cargo: 68,986 units, up 2.9%.
  • Passenger vehicles: 199,025 units, down 6.5%.
  • Fuel pressure: Fuel costs increased by almost EUR 8.4 million, while EU ETS costs also weighed on performance.
  • H1 revenue: EUR 356.4 million, up 3.5%.
  • H1 EBITDA: EUR 36.4 million, up 8.5%.
  • H1 net result: Loss narrowed to EUR 24.5 million, from nearly EUR 36 million a year earlier.
  • Investments: EUR 21.5 million, mainly for maintenance and upgrades of SILJA SYMPHONY, BALTIC QUEEN and VICTORIA I.
  • Net debt: EUR 409.6 million at the end of Q2, EUR 28.1 million lower than at the end of March.

Tallink said it will continue to focus on efficient fleet deployment, debt reduction and operational improvements, while maintaining a stable dividend policy.

Jul 24
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MSC Group Reinforces Support For GNV With EUR 400 Million Capital Injection

By 2026 Newsletter week 30

MSC Group has strengthened its commitment to ferry operator GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) by injecting an additional EUR 400 million into the Genoa-based company through its Luxembourg holding company, Shipping Agencies Services (SAS).

According to CEO Matteo Catani, 2025 marked a turning point for GNV after a difficult 2024, which was affected by technical issues across the fleet. With all vessels back in service, the company achieved double-digit growth in cargo and passenger revenues while significantly improving profitability.

GNV generated EUR 752 million in revenue in 2025. EBITDA remained negative at EUR 75 million but improved substantially from negative EUR 148 million in 2024, while the net loss narrowed by 21% to EUR 201.5 million.

On an adjusted basis, assuming the entire fleet, including vessels bareboat-chartered from MSC, is treated as owned in accordance with IFRS 16 accounting principles, adjusted EBITDA improved to around negative EUR 14 million, compared with negative EUR 107 million the previous year, highlighting a strong operational recovery.

The company carried 2.45 million passengers (+5.3%) and transported 5.5 million lane metres of freight (+15.4%). Passenger revenue increased by 15.8%, freight revenue by 28.2%, onboard services by 21.9%, and charter income by 34.6%.

Fuel costs rose moderately to EUR 273 million thanks to MSC’s hedging strategy, while labour costs increased by 19.1% following workforce expansion. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) added approximately EUR 40 million in costs during 2025.

Jul 24
Love3

Île Rouge Completes Successful Sea Trials Ahead Of Departure For Canada

By 2026 Newsletter week 30

On 16 and 17 July, ÎLE ROUGE (ex A NEPITA, SUPERFAST X, SEAFRANCE MOLIÈRE, DIEPPE SEAWAYS, STENA SUPERFAST X) successfully completed two days of sea trials in the Saronic Gulf following conversion and modification work at the Perama repair zone.

VDN Ippocampos managed the conversion project. The ship arrived in Greece in February 2026 for ramp and bow visor modifications ahead of a five-year charter to Canadian operator Marine Atlantic for service between North Sydney and Port aux Basques.

Built by HDW in Germany in 2002, ÎLE ROUGE has capacity for 1,200 passengers and 1,920 lane metres. Her service speed is 27 knots.

Photo: Ben Ayre