Jun 20
Love0

TECHNOLOGY

By 2019 Newsletter week 25

DFDS: Collaboration With Volvo Trucks On Autonomous Transport Between Logistics Centre And Port Terminal

DFDS has entered into a collaboration with Volvo Trucks concerning their electric, connected and autonomous vehicle Vera.

The aim is to develop and test an integrated solution for transporting goods from a logistics centre to a port terminal in Gothenburg, Sweden, using Vera.

Facts about the Vera project:

  • The assignment is to move containers from a DFDS logistics centre in Gothenburg to an APM terminal in the port according to needed capacity.
  • The autonomous system is monitored by an operator in a control tower who is also responsible for the transport.
  • The solution is suited for repetitive flows with a maximum speed of 40 km/h.
  • Infrastructure adaptations are part of the scope in the implementation of the total transport system, including automated gates at the terminals.
  • Volvo Trucks and DFDS are main partners but several actors are involved in implementing Vera’s first assignment.
  • The initiative is carried out with support from the Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova, the Swedish Transport Administration and the Swedish Energy Agency through the Strategic vehicle research and innovation programme FFI.
Jun 20
Love0

IN THE MEDIA

By 2019 Newsletter week 25

First-ever Ferry Services between Bulgaria and Turkey Launched

The first-ever maritime transportation between Turkey and Bulgaria was started Tuesday 18 June, as a ferry carried passengers from the Bulgarian city of Burgas to the northwestern Turkish province of Kırklareli. Fast ferry SINAN PASA was operated by Istanbul’s Sea Bus Operators (IDO).

Jun 20
Love0

SHORT NEWS

By 2019 Newsletter week 25

DFDS Is Testing A New Funnel Look

On ARK GERMANIA, the Maltese cross has been replaced by the letters DFDS and a light blue stripe.

Read here why

  • Crew of La Meridionale will go on strike on 21 June. They are concerned about the future of the company, after it failed to secure a public service delagation contarct for some routes to Corsica.
  • GALAXY has again arrived in the Gibraltar Strait for her summer charter to Inter Shipping.
  • Ferry AQUA JEWEL (Seajets), will replace the planned AZORES EXPRESS in Atlânticoline’s 2019 seasonal operation, joining the MEGA JET already in the Azores. The AZORES EXPRESS was not ready on the time defined by the contract.
Jun 20
Love0

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

By 2019 Newsletter week 25

Sandefjord, Before the Arrival of COLOR HYBRID

As from end of July, the new COLOR HYBRID will operate on Sandefjord – Strömstad.

The oldest ferry, BOHUS will then be sold.

Here are some souvenir pictures of both BOHUS and COLOR VIKING.

Jun 20
Love1

VIDEO

By 2019 Newsletter week 25

ForSea: The Present Is Electric

Last week I had the opportunity to do a couple of sailings on AURORA and TYCHO BRAHE, the two ferries from For Sea on Helsingborg – Helsingør.

These ferries were built in the 1990ies and are now mainly running on electricity. We did report about that before, for example with the previous interview with For Sea’s CEO Johan Röstin .

It was nice to see the operation with my own eyes, and I recommend anyone who has interest in environmental solutions to visit them.

I learned that on both sides of the crossing streets had to be broken up to bring the powerline to the ferry terminals. It was also interesting to know that the original diesel engines are still onboard and maintained. They can always take over if necessary.

Watch my little video on YouTube (0:45)

Jun 13
Love0

PARTNERSHIP

By 2019 Newsletter week 24

Free Access to RoPax, the International Magazine for Ferry And RoRo Shipping

Thanks to a partnership with RoPax magazine, we have the pleasure to share with you the new edition, freshly published.

The many articles bring you to the heart of the ferry and roro industry, in a way which has no peer.

Well done, Jan Philip Eckmann and team!

Click on the cover to read RoPax online.

Jun 13
Love0

FERRY FINANCE

By 2019 Newsletter week 24

Africa Morocco Link’s BMCE Bank Gets Exemption

Africa Morocco Link is a company owned by Attica Group (49%) and the Moroccan BMCE Bank (51%).

According to a law, the bank is allowed to run a non-banking business for a limited time only.

Therefore, BMCE Bank was looking to sell a number of its shares, with 4 May as deadline. This attempt was unsuccessful.

In order not to disrupt the Operation Marhaba 2019, when thousands of expats come back to Morocco for the summer, the Government decided to give the bank more time.

Jun 13
Love0

FERRY PORTS

By 2019 Newsletter week 24

Port of Olbia Launched International Tender for A New Ferry Terminal in Project Finance

The Port Network Authority of the Sardinian Sea announced that it intends to select a private partner for the management of the ro-pax terminal, of passenger services, of parking areas for cars, trailers and semi-trailers, and support services to road transport and to the users of the commercial area in the port of Olbia.

The project finance proposals may be submitted no later than 10.00 a.m. on 9 September 2019, in accordance with the procedures.

Currently the ferry terminal is managed by Sinergest (Moby group) and the concession (which expired last year) was and will be extended until the end of the procedure.