Jan 30
Love0

Is Minoan Lines Going to Restructure Its Fleet on the Crete Ferry Services?

By 2020 Newsletter week 5

Unconfirmed reports claim that Minoan Lines will soon proceed with important changes to its Crete ferry services.

KNOSSOS PALACE [link: Fakta om Fartyg] would leave the Heraklion line, after 20 years of service. She will probably be introduced –under Grimaldi colours– on the Civitavecchia – Olbia line.

CRUISE BONARIA [link: Fakta om Fartyg] would be renamed either FESTOS or KNOSSOS PALACE. She will sport the Minoan Lines livery and will be introduced on the Piraeus – Heraklion run, along with her sister MYKONOS PALACE, which will be renamed FESTOS or KNOSSOS PALACE.

FESTOS PALACE [link: Fakta om Fartyg] is expected to be renamed KYDON PALACE and she will be transferred to the Piraeus – Chania line.

Of course, all this has to be officially confirmed.

Jan 30
Love0

FERRY PORTS

By 2020 Newsletter week 5

Brexit Affected Port of Calais and the Channel Tunnel

Port of Calais had a turbulent year 2019, with the following reasons:

  • Brexit
  • A strike from the customs
  • Weak GBP versus strong EUR = less tourism

Key figures:

  • -4.6% freight (1.8 million units), which means 90,000 less trucks.
  • -7.0% pax (8.5 million)
  • -8.7% cars (1.5 million)
  • -6.0% coaches

Brexit also affected Getlink (Channel Tunnel)

Key figures:

  • -6.0% freight (1.6 million units)
  • +1.0% Eurostar pax (11 million)
  • -2.0% cars (2.6 million)

Market share for trucks:

  • 46.0% Calais
  • 40.4% tunnel
Jan 30
Love0

Calais Port 2015: Countdown Started, Only 365 Days to Go

By 2020 Newsletter week 5

Calais Port 2015: Countdown Started, Only 365 Days to Go

Calais Port 2015 was conceived as of 2003 in response to a twofold challenge in the future: to be capable of berthing the next generation of ferries and ro-ro ships, and cope with the increase in traffic forecast on the 2020/2025 horizon by installing state-of-the-art port facilities on land reclaimed from the sea.

Calais Port 2015 is backed by the Nord Pas-de-Calais-Picardie Region, owner of the Port of Calais, which on 19 December 2014, by a vote of the plenary meeting, gave its approval for launching the Calais Port 2015 project.

The works involve:

  • The creation of a protective dyke 3 km long and a counter-jetty
  • The creation of a port basin of about 90 ha (eventually 110 ha)
  • The construction of new quays which will provide the space required for the efficient integration of intermodal rail-road-sea infrastructure (Rail and Sea Motorways)
  • The construction of three ferry berths and lengthening of a roro berth
Jan 30
Love0

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

By 2020 Newsletter week 5

Algérie Ferries’ TARIQ IBN ZYIAD leaving Marseille on Saturday 25 January.

Two GNV ferries — RHAPSODY and GNV ALLEGRA– are being used as accommodation ship during the intensive refurbishment of cruise ship NORWEGIAN SPIRIT in Marseille.

Jan 23
Love1

FERRY SHIPPING

By 2020 Newsletter Week 4

Grendi Charters CLdN’s SEVERINE to Increase Capacity on Italy Mainland to Sardinia Route

As from mid-February, the Italian shipping company Grendi Trasporti Marittimi will deploy a second roro ship on the Marina di Carrara – Cagliari route also adding a third port of call in Sardinia.

Antonio Musso, CEO of Grendi, told Ferry Shipping News that the roro SEVERINE owned by Cobelfret will be chartered in for one year in order to increase frequency and capacity of the regular service between Italy mainland and Sardinia.

SEVERINE was built in 2012, can offer capacity for 1,760 lane metres. [link MarineTraffic]

The second port expected to be called by Grendi in Sardinia might be Porto Torres which is located in the north-west of the island.  In the full year 2019 on the Marina di Carrara – Cagliari regular link 67,435 TEU and 20,285 semi-trailers were transported.

Jan 23
Love0

New High-Speed Link between Italy and Albania Announced

By 2020 Newsletter Week 4

A brand-new high-speed ferry service between Italy and Albania has been announced for the next summer season by the Albanian shipping agency Maritime Agency Princess Eneka.

The regular link is expected to sail from June and will be operated with the monohull ferry THE PRINCESS [link MarineTraffic] built in 2013 by the Italian shipyard Rodriquez,

She has a capacity for some 650 passengers and 58 cars. The vessel can reach a speed of 40 knots and the transit time should be 2 hours and half. The brand name of the link is still unknown. Currently the monohull seems to be active on the Aqaba – Nuweiba route in the Red Sea.

Jan 23
Love0

The Danish Government Will Continue to Investigate a Fixed Link Across the Kattegat

By 2020 Newsletter Week 4

The government has decided to continue the ongoing preliminary investigation of a fixed link across the Kattegat. This would link Denmark’s two largest cities: Copenhagen and Århus.
Now, Molslinjen operates this route with ferries.

A combined road and rail connection is the most preferred option. Climate and environmental aspects of establishing a permanent Kattegat connection are one of the main topics.

Jan 23
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EUROPEAN CAUSEWAY Report Published

By 2020 Newsletter Week 4

Shift of freight vehicles during a ro-ro passenger ferry crossing from Larne, Northern Ireland to Cairnryan, Scotland, resulting in damage to several vehicles. (18 December 2018)

Main conclusions:

  • The forecast weather conditions had not been sufficiently considered when setting the course of the ship, nor the application of lashings to freight vehicles loaded aboard.
  • The problem of freight drivers remaining in their cabs on the vehicle deck when the ferry is at sea. Drivers remaining in their vehicles not only put themselves at risk, they place at risk other passengers, and anyone who has to rescue them. Perhaps, most importantly, crucial emergency responses, such as to a fire, can be delayed until all passengers are accounted for.