Damen sales director RoPax and RoRo Chiel de Leeuw explains the thinking behind Damen’s move into the production of RoPax vessels.
Corvus Energy Launches New Battery For Cruise, Ro-Pax And Ro-Ro Ships With Unlimited Capacity
Corvus Energy, the well-known supplier of batteries for hybrid and zero-emission vessels, is introducing its next generation Energy Storage System (ESS), called ‘Corvus Blue Whale’. It is ideal for applications that require low charge/discharge rate combined with very high energy demand such as Cruise, Ro-Pax and Ro-Ro vessels.
By using energy-dense battery cells and a space-saving design, its volume per kWh is reduced by 50% and the weight per kWh is reduced by amazing 30%. Its modular design uses quick connectors for easy commissioning and reduced installation costs.
Corvus Blue Whale has no limitations with regards to size.
SAAREMAA I Enters Service On Matane – Baie-Comeau – Godbout
Société des traversiers du Québec will finally have a ferry to relieve FÉLIX-ANTOINE-SAVARD, which in its turn was a stop-gap solution for the ill-fated F. -A. -GAUTHIER.
The latter experienced engine damage in December. The dual-fuel LNG ferry built by Fincantieri in 2010 is still being repaired
According to reports, CalMac will take over the Gourock – Kilcreggan Route from Greenock-based firm Clyde Marine ‘within weeks’.
The route is currently the responsibility of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) but talks are continuing over the transfer of power to Transport Scotland, which is expected to award a contract to CalMac to operate the service.
Bay Ferries Limited says “mid-summer” is anticipated as the earliest start-up time for The Cat ferry service between Nova Scotia and Maine.
The service was initially slated to begin June 21 – the first day of summer – although that date had only ever been a target.
A serious discussion is going on to see whether BC Ferries could sell alcohol onboard its ferries.
Non-drinkers worry about the impact of impaired drivers on the roads.
- The fourth of six of the DFDS mega freight ferries from Jinling Shipyard in China has now been launched.
- Baleària’s high-speed craft JAUME III hit Trasmediterránea’s ALCANTARA during maneuvring in the port of Alcudia (Mallorca) (11 July). JAUME III was empty. No one was hurt.
- Tirrenia’s ro-ro HARTMUT PUSCHMANN was on her way from Cagliari to Livorno, when she had to be diverted to Olbia. One of the tank trucks was losing hydrochloric acid. Immediately the crew started to dilute the corrosive substance with water, to avoid structural damage to the ship and pollution.Three crew members who felt ill had to be transported to the hospital.
IMO’s New Regulations Turns Into A Challenge For The Greek Ferry Operators
Fleet renewal, oil crisis and the new IMO fuel regulations are gradually become a challenge for the further development of the Hellenic Coastal Lines.
More specific the IMO’s new fuel regulations for low sulphur content (3,50% to 0,50%), which will come into force on 1 January, 2020 have upset the Greek ferry operators as both ship owners and fuel companies are very anxious in order to manage to address the smooth transition to the new low-sulphur fuels in a very short timeline.
The additional cost that is expected for the Greek ferry operators is estimated to reach EUR 70 million per year, while economic analysts predict that it can even reach 100 million. All this burden will fall on the back of a domestic sector that has struggled for many years.
According to the Association of Passenger Ship Operators (SEEN) data, within the Greek Ferry Scene operate 74 ferries, 53 of which are conventional ferries and 21 high-speed crafts. From these, only ten are over 40 years old, while at the end of the next decade 31 of them will be over 40 years old. Fact which means that their replacement will be considered to be necessary.
The Chairman of the Association of Passenger Ship Operators, Mr. Michalis Sakellis, made some interesting points in order to highlight the situation within the Greek Ferry Scene:
- It is well known that the main economic problem of almost all ferry operators, particularly in recent years lies in the constant rise in oil prices.
- From January 1, 2020 the cost of fuel is expected to raise significantly (EUR 60-70 million per year).
- Ferry operators should discuss with the government the possibility of reducing VAT rates to 13% or even 6% like other countries of the European Union that have ferry system. Also, they should discuss the possibility of securing European funds for the financing of public service routes, which will certainly help Greek ferry operators to finance the high costs of their ferries’ compliance to the new regulations. Otherwise there will be a potential increase in ticket fares.
- Scrubbers cannot be installed on all Greek ferries as there are technical problems. Old ferries cannot be converted as there is no commercial logic on that. Ferry operators will not take that money back from such an investment.
- Scrubbers will mainly be installed on ferries that have high fuel consumption. However, in that way the company will have a big investment that it has to support at any cost. So, the solution will inevitably be the VAT reduction.
- Minoan Lines is the only ferry operator in Greece today that has installed scrubbers on its three large cruise ferries that ply on the Piraeus-Heraklion and Piraeus-Chania lines.
- If there is no reaction with direct measures, then the Greek Ferry Scene will kneel down and the Hellenic Coastal Lines will gradually be lost. That sector contributes annually to the Greek GDP 13 billion euros or 7.3%.
Source: moneynews.gr
Italian Company Caronte & Tourist To Debut In Croatia With A New Regular Link
The Messina-based company Caronte & Tourist is expected to open a new maritime link in Croatia from mid-July with the ferry GIUSEPPE FRANZA which is now moored in Rijeka after a first refusal from the authorities to enter the port.
Local media report that Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori has filed a request with Croatia’s Agency for Coastal Passenger Traffic to establish a ferry line between Rijeka and Porozina, on the Cres island.
The new service should be operated from 15 July to 15 September.
The Italian company, however, has still not collected most of the required permits and documents, said Paola Vidovic, director of Croatia’s Agency for Coastal Passenger Traffic, as quoted by business news portal SeeBiz.eu.
Before and in order to sign the contract, Caronte & Tourist will have to collect all the required documents requested before starting the new maritime link.
The first stage of ferry market liberalization in Croatia started in 2018 and is taking this summer with some services’ concession to be granted to foreign companies.