On December 7, 2019 the new acquisition of the Greek Kerkyra Lines, Evdokia (ex-Ferry Mishima) started to sail from Nagasaki to Greece under her own power.
The small Japanese ferry was purchased last September from the Sakido Kisen Co. Her trip to Greece will last 1,5 months and she will be refuelled in Singapore, Sri Lanka and Jeddah.
Evdokia was built in Japan (Mukai Shipyard) in 1995.
(44,24m / 167 pax / 4 trucks and 2 cars)
On 6 December Molslinjen broke a record on the Kattegat when passenger number 3,225,572 bought a ticket for the route between Aarhus and Odden.
“Traffic between East and West Denmark is constantly increasing,” says Carline Jensen, CEO of Molslinjen. Especially the bus route Kombardo Expressen has helped to achieve this increase.
“We expect many guests in December – so many that we have to put in an extra fast ferry on the busiest days,” says the CEO.
Norway’s Vestland County approved a tender stating that eight of the regional passenger vessels shall be zero emission by 2022 (if possible) and latest by May 2024.
Hydrogen will be an option for propulsion of the four largest vessels (2,5 MW power, 35 knots, 300 pax).
Route package 2 (local boat routes in Flora, Bremanger, Vågsøy, Høyanger and Vik municipalities) and route package 3 (local boat routes in Gulen and Solund municipalities) in Sogn og Fjordane will continue with the tender process as planned by Sogn- og Fjordane County Council.
The main vessels in route package 2 (with the exception of the vessels Måløy-Silda, Måløy-Hennøystranda and a smaller part of Florø-Barekstad-Batalden-Fanøy) will incorporate zero emission technology from 2022 at the earliest and from 01.05.2024 at the latest. There is a requirement that all energy that directly or indirectly powers the main vessels must be certified as renewable. The vessels in route package 3 and exceptions in route package 2 can run on fossil fuels.
For route package 1 (the four express ferries that run between Sogn and Fjordane – Bergen), the county council wants to implement an alternative procurement process, a development contract is being considered. The goal is for the introduction of zero-emission technology from the start of the new contract in May 2022, and will be required by latest 1 May 2024. All energy for operation of the vessels must be certified as renewable.
Ocean Hyway Cluster member Brødrene Aa AS is ready to deliver their new 42m AERO Hydrogen design (photo).
Havila Becomes Major Shareholder of Fjord1
On Monday 9 December 2019, Per Sævik’s Shipping company Havila (through its wholly owned subsidiary Havilafjordn Holding AS) bought for NOK 676 million shares in Fjord1. By this move, Havila holds 66.5% of the Fjord1 shares.
On Tuesday 10 December, Havila secured capital for the acquisition from a fund managed by Vision Ridge Partners. Together they hold 70.35 million shares, representing 70.35% of the shares of Fjord1.
The intention of the parties is to cooperate as partners in developing Fjord1 into an integrated transportation and tourism company, through a potential consolidation with Havila Kystruten AS. Havila Kystruten has four ships under construction, to be used as from 2021 on the Norwegian Coast. (remark: two of these ships, to be built by Barreras, have been canceled)
Frederik Wilhelm Mohn has in the meanwhile announced that he resigns from the Board of Directors in Fjord1 ASA with immediate effect.
Smart Fences
The test installation of the Smart ‘PASSAnT’ Fences has been presented in the Port of Ostend. The Lord Mayor was invited to try to access the port by all means. In vain.
PASSAnT stands for ‘PlAtform for innovative Security Solutions hArbours & Terminals’.
DNV GL: Batteries Gain Momentum in the Maritime Sector
The shipping industry and, in particular, the ferry segment have adopted battery and hybrid technology at a fast pace, with over 360 vessels now in operation or under construction. Narve Mjøs looks at the drivers of this development and future prospects.
Med States Meeting Agrees Roadmap to Regional SECA
A meeting in Naples of all the states bordering the Mediterranean Sea, except Syria, has agreed a road map that could see the creation of a Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area (Med SECA) by 2024.
Italian antitrust watchdog AGCM has launched a preliminary investigation into the unsolicited activation of maritime roaming services by Telecom Italia (TIM), Wind Tre and Vodafone Italia for customers travelling on cruise ships and ferries.
Cacica Isabel, one of the ferries of the former Conferry sank in Puerto Cabello.
Fjord Line: Christmas Eve for Singles and Families with Children on Bergensfjord
Robin Hood House, Church City Mission and Fjord Line want to make the Christmas holiday a little more enjoyable for all those who are lonely or are struggling financially. A cosy gathering with Christmas food will be organised on Christmas Eve, when Bergensfjord is docked in Bergen. Santa Claus will pay a visit!
