Jul 24
Love3

EUR 4 Million Antitrust Fine Imposed On Caronte & Tourist Annulled

By 2026 Newsletter week 30

Italy’s Consiglio di Stato has overturned a EUR 4 million antitrust fine imposed on ferry operator Caronte & Tourist in 2022 for alleged abuse of a dominant position in the RoPax maritime transport market in the Strait of Messina. The ruling reverses a previous decision by the Lazio Administrative Court, which had upheld the penalty.

The court identified several flaws in the Italian Competition Authority’s decision. It ruled that the Authority had failed to prove that the market was effectively closed to competition or that significant barriers prevented new entrants.

The judges also found that the Authority had used a government study for a purpose different from that originally disclosed during the investigation, infringing the company’s right to defend itself.

In addition, the court rejected the Authority’s economic analysis, finding its methodology for assessing the company’s revenues and costs unreliable. It also criticised the unusually long preliminary investigation, which lasted 855 days and made it difficult for the company to retrieve the requested accounting records.

As a result, the Consiglio di Stato annulled the antitrust decision and ordered the Competition Authority to cover the legal costs of both court proceedings.

Jul 24
Love3

CMAL Completes Outline Design For Oban Berth Upgrade

By 2026 Newsletter week 30

On its LinkedIn page, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) announced that the outline design for the preferred option for the Oban 1 Berth Upgrades Project has been completed.

The project will improve port infrastructure to support existing ferry operations and accommodate future vessels, including those planned under the Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP).

Work is continuing on the Outline Business Case, which is expected to be submitted to Transport Scotland for approval. Subject to approval, detailed design is anticipated to begin towards the end of 2026.

Further work will include shore power proposals and additional ground investigations. CMAL also plans to launch a first public consultation on a revised Harbour Revision Order later in 2026.

Jul 24
Love3

Experts Warn Swedish Transport Research Cuts Could Weaken Innovation

By 2026 Newsletter week 30

Fourteen researchers and transport-sector executives have warned that planned cuts to the Swedish Transport Administration’s research budget could have serious consequences for innovation, skills and the green transition.

  • Research funding: The Swedish Transport Administration’s research budget is set to fall from SEK 7.4 billion to SEK 4 billion over 12 years.
  • Narrower scope: Funding will increasingly focus on areas such as infrastructure maintenance and total defence.
  • Areas at risk: Electrification, renewable fuels, climate transition, digitalisation and other transport innovation fields could lose funding.
  • Industry impact: The signatories warn that reduced research funding will also weaken industry access to specialist knowledge, researchers and future recruits.
  • EU funding not enough: They argue that strong national research capacity is essential for Swedish organisations to compete successfully for European research programmes.
  • Long-term concern: Once research teams, doctoral students and specialist expertise disappear, rebuilding that competence can take many years.
  • Call to government: The group wants the cuts reversed, the research mandate kept broad and existing research results translated more rapidly into practical applications.

The signatories include representatives from IVL, the University of Gothenburg, Linköping University, VTI, KTH and Chalmers, as well as executives from Terntank, Gotland Tech Development/Gotlandsbolaget, Port of Luleå, Port of Piteå, Bring and Soya Group.

The debate article argues that transport research should be viewed not as a cost, but as an investment in Sweden’s competitiveness, innovation capacity and future transport system.

Source (in Swedish)

Jul 18
Love3

Eckerö Group H1 2026: Freight Remains Strong but Profits Hit by Energy Costs Key takeaways

By 2026 Newsletter week 29
  • Freight volumes remained resilient, despite a dry-docking period for FINLANDIA in January. Total freight units fell 2% to 101,874, but excluding the docking effect, February–June volumes reached a record 89,565 units.
  • Passenger traffic declined 8% to 1.33 million passengers. On the Finland–Estonia route, passenger volumes fell 9%.
  • Revenue decreased 3% to EUR 104.9 million.
  • Operating result (EBIT) dropped from EUR 5.7 million to a loss of EUR 6.7 million, while net profit fell to a loss of EUR 5.8 million.
  • The deterioration was mainly caused by:
    • higher bunker prices following tensions in the Middle East;
    • increased EU ETS costs, as emissions coverage rose from 70% to 100% of fuel consumption;
    • start-up costs related to the new Eckerö Link operation.
  • Second-quarter freight volumes reached a record level, increasing 2% year-on-year to 52,517 freight units.
  • Eckerö’s market share on the Finland–Estonia route stood at 41% for freight and 27% for passengers during the first half.

Fleet developments

  • Eckerö confirmed the acquisition of STENA NAUTICA, announced on 11 May.
  • The vessel will enter service for subsidiary Eckerö Link Ab in autumn 2026 on the Åland–Finland route.
  • STENA NAUTICA will replace FJÄRDVÄGEN (formerly SAILOR), providing improved cargo handling and better energy efficiency. Both existing vessels on the route are expected to be offered for sale once the replacement is completed.

Financial position

  • Investments during the first six months amounted to EUR 9.3 million, including vessel upgrades, energy-efficiency measures and IT systems.
  • The company maintained a strong balance sheet, with an equity ratio of 56.1% and net debt of only EUR 1.0 million.

Outlook

Eckerö expects 2026 earnings to remain under pressure due to geopolitical uncertainty, elevated energy costs and lower expected gains from asset sales. The company also notes that the ongoing review of pandemic-related state aid could have a further negative impact on future results.

Source (in Swedish):

Jul 18
Love3

Grendi Horizon enters service on Sardinia and North Africa routes

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

Italian logistics and shipping group Grendi has reported a positive first month of operations for GRENDI HORIZON, the largest vessel in its fleet. The RoRo vessel entered service on 12 June and is now fully integrated into the company’s regular network serving Sardinia, Tunisia and Algeria.

With a length of 204 metres and 3,000 lane metres of freight capacity, GRENDI HORIZON strengthens capacity on Grendi’s domestic routes between Marina di Carrara, Cagliari and Olbia, as well as on its international North African services. The vessel is chartered from the Visentini shipyard under a five-year agreement.

The addition follows the introduction of GRENDI STAR in July 2025 and increases the group’s fleet to five vessels. According to CEO Antonio Musso, the new ship improves schedule reliability, supports growing container and rolling cargo volumes, enhances the direct Olbia service and reduces emissions intensity per lane metre transported.

Jul 18
Love3

HSC SUPERSPEED JET 4 launched on Piraeus–Cyclades service

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

On 14 July 2026, HSC SUPERSPEED JET 4 (ex-FLYING CAT 4) entered service on the Piraeus–Paros–Naxos–Koufonissi route following her acquisition from Seajets in March 2026. The vessel departs daily from Piraeus at 10:15 and returns from Koufonissi at 14:45.

Built by FBM Marine Ltd in Cowes, England, in 1999, she can carry 450 passengers and has a service speed of 37 knots.

Photo: Dimitris Mendakis

Jul 18
Love3

HSC HIGHSPEED 3 to join Piraeus–Samos route on 23 July

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

According to reliable information, HSC HIGHSPEED 3 (ex-THUNDER, TURGUT OZAL) will enter service on the Piraeus–Samos route on 23 July. According to Hellenic Seaways’ plans, the vessel will complete the crossing in 5 hours and 50 minutes, significantly reducing the journey time.

Built by Austal in Australia in 1998, the vessel can carry 1,068 passengers and 210 cars. She has a service speed of 36 knots.

Photo: Hellenic Seaways

Jul 18
Love3

Mukran Port Shuttle Gets Off to a Successful Start to the 2026 season

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

The seasonal Mukran Port Shuttle has resumed operations for the 2026 summer season, providing a direct rail connection between Bergen auf Rügen station and the Sassnitz-Mukran ferry terminal. Operating from 13 May until 17 October, the RE27 regional express offers coordinated connections with ferry services to Bornholm, strengthening sustainable travel links between Germany and Scandinavia.

According to Mukran Port, the service attracted strong passenger numbers from its opening weekend, continuing the positive trend seen in recent years. The shuttle is designed to provide seamless rail-ferry travel and supports wider regional, national and European transport and climate policy objectives.

Henry Forster, Managing Director of Mukran Port, said the success of the shuttle demonstrates growing demand for connected and more sustainable transport options between Germany and Northern Europe.

The shuttle can only be used in combination with a valid ferry ticket on the Sassnitz-Mukran–Rønne route.

Jul 18
Love3

Port of Antwerp-Bruges Stands Firm in a Challenging H1, 2026

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9 million tonnes of maritime cargo in the first half of 2026, a decline of 2.4% compared with the same period last year. Despite geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, operational disruptions and a difficult economic environment, the decrease remained relatively limited.

Key takeaways:

  • Total cargo throughput decreased by 2.4% to 133.9 million tonnes.
  • RoRo traffic increased by 5.9%, while bulk cargo remained relatively stable (-1.3%).
  • Container throughput fell by 1.5% in TEU and 3.6% in tonnes, mainly due to weaker Western European exports.
  • Exports of full containers declined by 5.7%.
  • The port maintained its market share in container traffic despite operational challenges and disruptions.
  • Geopolitical developments and shifting trade patterns continue to reshape cargo flows.
  • Port management highlighted the importance of ongoing investments in capacity, accessibility, infrastructure and sustainable logistics to strengthen long-term competitiveness.
Jul 18
Love3

Port of Santander Continues Growth in H1, 2026

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

The Port of Santander maintained its positive growth trend during the first six months of 2026, with improvements across most traffic segments.

Key figures

  • Total cargo throughput in June reached 638,522 tonnes, up 13.4% year-on-year.
  • Total throughput for January–June amounted to 3.49 million tonnes, an increase of 1.3%.
  • General cargo volumes grew 0.7% to 1.89 million tonnes.
  • Dry bulk traffic increased 2.0% to 1.50 million tonnes.
  • Liquid bulk volumes rose 3.5% to 107,982 tonnes.
  • Container traffic climbed 7.0% to 85,770 TEU.
  • Vehicle traffic increased 3.4% to 174,503 units.

According to the Port Authority, the growth has been driven by careful planning, effective management and continued investment in infrastructure, digitalisation and sustainability. The port also highlighted the contribution of its workforce and port community in helping to address the challenges created by ongoing global logistics uncertainty.