The BEN-MY-CHREE is due to be replaced as the Steam Packet’s flagship vessel by the end of 2021 under the new sea services agreement due to be laid before Tynwald this month.
Court of Session rejects claims that Northern Isles ferry tendering process is unlawful.
The future shape of Shetland’s inter-island ferry and flight networks could become clearer in the coming weeks and months when findings from studies into service levels and infrastructure are presented.
Interislander ferry operator KiwiRail is officially on the hunt for two new vessels that will dwarf its existing fleet.
The vessels, expected to be brought into service by 2024, will need to accommodate 40 rail wagons, about 3,000 lane metres for vehicles, and room for about 1,800 passengers each, according to tender documents.
- The historic alliance between Fast Ferries and Golden Star Ferries is no more. Last year they acquired the HSC catamaran EXPRESS, in order to compete with SeaJets. However, they will now both go their own way. Who is going to have the catamaran will be known later on.
- Red Kestrel is Red Funnel’s first freight-only roll-on-roll-off vessel to operate between Southampton and the Isle of Weight. The double-ender has been named in Southampton on 25 April.
- Ferries and ships remained docked at Greek ports on 1 May, after the union of the Greek seamen PNO held a 24-hour strike. The union has published a long list of demands to justify the strike.
FRS Ferry Evacuation Drill In The Strait Of Gibraltar
The emergency drill and the evacuation exercise carried out successfully on the FRS-owned TARIFA JET, demonstrates the capacity and high level of safety of all the entities involved.
On 26 April, Moroccan Search and Rescue Service participated in a joint exercise with the Spanish Maritime Rescue Services.
With the objective of maintaining the high level of safety and speed of reaction in their vessels, and contributing to the continuous training of their teams, FRS collaborates regularly with the authorities to perform various evacuation exercises.
This year, in the context of the “SAREX Detroit 2019” exercise, FRS made available its fast ferry TARIFA JET.
The entire exercise was carried out in accordance with the plan, in which the response of the ferry itself and its crew was put to the test, as well as the coordination of the different intervention groups.
The aerial view courtesy of Ulstein Verft shows the soon to be delivered plug-in hybrid vessel COLOR HYBRID. Left is the offshore wind vessel ACTA CENTAURUS, to be delivered this summer, and the newly-arrived hull of expedition ship NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ENDURANCE
CLdN continues to work on its future, with in this picture three new ships under construction at Hyundai in Ulsan. Photo courtesy CLdN.
Four Big New Ice-Class Freight Ferries For A New Swedish Shipping Company
- WALLENIUS SOL: a new shipping company founded by Wallenius and Swedish Orient Line to cope with the increasing volumes of goods being transported from the Gulf of Bothnia.
- Initially it is SOL’s current business that is transferred to the new company (with exception of Med and TransProCon). Bookings are redirected to SOL Continent’s website.
- Route: Five ports in the Gulf of Bothnia – Germany (Travemünde/Lübeck) – Belgium (Zeebrugge/Antwerp) – UK.
- WALLENIUS SOL started its operations on April 12, 2019. Main office is located in Gothenburg.
- Initial fleet consists of five vessels: BALTICA, TAVASTLAND, THULELAND, TUNDRALAND and VASALAND.
- The company will transport forestry products and other goods.
- First customers to sign long-term agreements are Stora Enso and Metsä Board.
- Four new ro-ro ferries have been ordered at the CIMC Raffles Yard in China, with a delivery planned for 2021.
- Ice class 1A Super
- LNG-powered, 241.7m long, 5,800 lane metre, designed by Knud E Hansen.
Enova is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, and contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, development of energy and climate technology.
Ferry company Bastø Fosen invests in battery power for the new ferry under construction for the Horten – Moss route, with a high voltage charging station in Horten. Enova supports the project with just over NOK 31 million.
At the start, the ferry will run for 64.5% on electricity. Later on, when a charging station will also be available in Moss, the new ferry will go 100% electric. Bastø Fosen will then consider rebuilding two recent vessels, so that these too can go completely electric.
Moss-Horten annually transports 1.8 million vehicles and 3.7 million passengers across the Oslo Fjord. The new vessel will, as of January 2021, enter as one of five vessels on the connection.
