Mar 27
Love3

Medmar Navi Prepares MEDMAR MARTINA for the Summer Season

By 2026 Newsletter week 13

As announced in February (Ferry Shipping News), the 1998-built ferry FYNSHAV has been acquired by Medmar Navi and renamed MEDMAR MARTINA.

The ferry will undergo a refit at Palumbo Shipyard in Naples. A key modification will be the installation of a new stern ramp, currently absent. This upgrade is required for the vessel to obtain authorisation to operate in the Gulf of Naples.

MEDMAR MARTINA has a capacity of approximately: 590 passengers and 100 cars.

In addition to the structural work, the vessel will be repainted in Medmar Navi’s white and blue corporate colours.

The ferry is expected to re-enter service in the Gulf of Naples next summer.

Mar 27
Love3

Baleària Awarded 27-Year Concession for New Barcelona Ferry Terminal

By 2026 Newsletter week 13

The Port Authority of Barcelona has granted Baleària a concession to build and operate a new passenger and RoRo cargo terminal at the Adosado dock.

  • Concession term: 27 years (renewable)
  • No competing bids were submitted after public consultation
  • Application filed in December 2024

Port President José Alberto Carbonell said the project will strengthen operational capacity and support more efficient and sustainable port operations.

Project Scope

The project includes full development of the terminal area:

  • 5,600 m² terminal building (passengers and offices)
  • Passenger and vehicle handling areas
  • Truck and car waiting zones
  • Semi-trailer storage and internal roads
  • Parking, taxi and bus areas, public spaces

Additional features:

  • Boarding bridges
  • OPS (shore power) readiness
  • Photovoltaic energy system
  • Total investment: €25.3 million

Phased Development

  • Phase 1 (Feb 2027): 38,000 m² operational area
  • Phase 2 (end 2029): full 75,250 m² site
  • Final setup: 4 simultaneous RoRo berths
Mar 27
Love3

ELO Becomes Mandatory for UK–EU RoRo Traffic on 20 April

By 2026 Newsletter week 13

From 20 April 2026, the Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO – Enveloppe Logistique Obligatoire) becomes mandatory for all RoRo shipments crossing the Smart Border between the UK and the EU.

ELO is a digital system that consolidates all customs and transport data into a single barcode per truck—whether loaded or empty. This barcode is scanned at the border, allowing authorities to instantly access all required declarations for imports, exports, and transit movements.

For RoRo operators, the impact is significant:

  • One barcode replaces multiple documents
  • Faster processing at terminals
  • Reduced risk of delays due to missing data

In short, ELO is designed to keep high-frequency RoRo traffic flowing efficiently while ensuring full compliance with border formalities.

More details: https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/obligatory-logistics-envelope-elo-key-transition-roro-trade-united-kingdom

Mar 27
Love3

Norway: Multi-Operator Ferry Ticket Portal Launched

By 2026 Newsletter week 13
  • Mobitech launches Osinos, a unified ticket portal for multiple ferry operators and merchants
  • Eliminates third-party distributors, enabling direct sales and instant payments
  • Already used by Fjord1 and Torghatten on several busy crossings

The platform simplifies ticketing for Norway’s fragmented RoRo ferry network and aims to improve both customer experience and operator efficiency.

Mar 27
Love3

France Warns of Port Disruption Risk from EES Rollout

By 2026 Newsletter week 13
  • French ports and shipowners warn EES system not operational ahead of 10 April launch
  • Risk of congestion, delays, and degraded passenger experience during peak season
  • System seen as poorly adapted to ferry flows, especially passengers travelling with vehicles

Armateurs de France and the Union des Ports de France call for urgent talks with authorities to avoid disruption at port border crossings.

Source: Open letter (in French)

Mar 27
Love3

Fjord Line Strengthens Finances and Appoints New CEO

By 2026 Newsletter week 13
  • Owners Kontrari and West Coast Invest take full control and inject new equity
  • Green transition loan secured via DNB and Eksfin
  • Brian Thorsted Hansen to step down as CEO on 1 July 2026; Heidi Nag Flikka to succeed

The refinancing strengthens Fjord Line’s financial platform and supports further emission reduction initiatives.

Heidi Nag Flikka, a board member since 2020 and former CFO (2019–2020), joins from Flekkefjord Sparebank. She brings experience from finance, marine and offshore sectors, including AF Gruppen and SpareBank1 SR-Bank.

Fjord Line positions itself for its next phase following years of modernisation and efficiency improvements, reinforcing its role as Norway’s second-largest international ferry operator.

Read More 

Mar 27
Love3

DFDS CEO Steps Down, Interim CEO Appointed

By 2026 Newsletter week 13
  • Torben Carlsen to step down as CEO on 17 April 2026
  • CFO Karen Dyrskjøt Boesen appointed Interim CEO from 18 April
  • Incoming CEO Michael Hansen to join on 1 July 2026

The succession process, launched in November 2025, is being accelerated as DFDS reports improving financial performance into early 2026.

Mar 20
Love3

Isle Of Man Steam Packet Reports Higher Revenue, Lower Profit In 2024

By 2026 Newsletter week 12

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company reported higher revenue and traffic in 2024, but lower profits due to rising costs.

  • Revenue increased to £87.1 million, up from £77.9 million.
  • Profit attributable to shareholders fell to £10.5 million (2023: £11.7 million).
  • Group profit declined to £6.8 million (2023: £8 million).

Passenger numbers reached 630,279, the highest level since 2007 (+1.2%).

  • Passenger ticket revenue rose 6.8%.
  • On-board and ancillary income increased 12%.
  • Freight revenue grew 19%, driven by higher import volumes.

The introduction of MANXMAN supported both passenger and freight growth, offering increased capacity and upgraded onboard facilities.

Costs, however, weighed on performance:

  • Operating profit fell to £9.7 million (-8%).
  • Group operating profit declined to £7.2 million (-9.9%).
  • Drivers included higher operating costs, full-year depreciation of MANXMAN, and a £2.2 million impairment on ARROW.

Financial position improved:

  • Net debt reduced to £114.7 million (from £126.7 million).

Looking ahead, fleet renewal remains a key issue:

  • The fast craft MANANNAN is due for replacement by 31 December 2026 under the Sea Services Agreement.
  • The company is seeking an extension to align replacement with environmental and customer requirements.