Between 2016 and 2018, Stena RoRo placed orders for eight Stena E-Flexer class vessels with the Chinese AVIC Weihai Shipyard. Construction is continuing according to plan and on 16 January, two ceremonies took place in the shipyard – the launching of the first E-Flexer (STENA ESTRID) and the keel laying of the third vessel in the series. Guests from near and far gathered in a chilly but sunny Weihai in order to witness these solemn ceremonies.
Ro-Ro, Port Of Zeebrugge’s Success Factor In 2018
In total, the port of Zeebrugge handled over 40 million tonnes of goods in 2018, a rise of 8 percent. This increase is mostly due to the volumes in ro-ro traffics and liquid natural gas, two very important sectors for the port of Zeebrugge. The container volumes are status quo, but the prospects in that sector for 2019 are very positive.
The ro-ro traffic rises 6.4% to a total volume of nearly 16 million tonnes. Growth occurs on the following destinations: UK (+5.7%), Ireland (+16.8%) and Spain (+21.4%). The increase in traffic on Spain is due to Cobelfret’s new connection to Santander and Finnlines’ scaling up of the ships on the Bilbao route. Deepsea roro-traffic also rises 10%.
The discontinuation of the service on Rosyth (-500,000 tonnes) was compensated by the growth on Teesport (+200,000 tonnes) and Hull (LoLo & Roro: + 250.000 tonnes). Zeebrugge handled 2,8 million new vehicles, which is the same result as in 2017.
Stazioni Maritime of Genoa, one of the most important ro-pax terminals of Italy, closed the past year with a total throughput of 3,091,845 passengers (+2.9%), of which 1,011,398 from cruise vessels (+9.3%) and 2,080,447 from ferries (+0.1%).
As for the ferry market, the traffic to and from Sardinia and North Africa slowed down (respectively -67,000 and -15,000 pax), while it increased on the routes to Sicily (+15,000) and Corsica (+70,500 pax).
The cargo flows improved, with 1,879,951 lane metres handled in 2018.
Genoa ferry passenger numbers in detail:
The traffic forecasts for 2019 are stable for ferries, while cruise passengers are expected to increase to 1,350,000 units.
The Port of Felixstowe and DFDS have agreed to increase ro-ro capacity at the UK port by over 40% through investment in a new linkspan, tractor units and additional trailer parking facilities.
Cassa depositi e prestiti (CDP), Fincantieri and Snam have signed a preliminary collaboration agreement aimed at identifying, defining and implementing medium-term strategic projects for the innovation and development of port facilities in Italy, as well as for the development of sustainable technologies applied to maritime transport, in line with the provisions of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan Proposal (PNIEC).
In particular, the agreement focuses on LNG infrastructure, energy efficiency and alternative energy sources.
The ferry traffic sector is the core business of the port and with 6 million tons, it makes up 80 % of the overall transhipment activities. While the liner services to Norway (+2.3 %) and to the Baltic States (+1.6 %) show growth, 10 % less tons of cargo were transported on the Kiel – Gothenburg route. One of the reasons is a long layover at the shipyard for STENA SCANDINAVICA.
The weekly liner service to and from Russia remained nearly at the same level due to continuing mutual restrictions on trade.
Again the biggest single volume was handled on the DFDS Kiel – Klaipeda service. Its frequency had even been augmented intermediately with an eighth and ninth departure in autumn.
Kiel was able to maintain its position last year with regard to the ferry traffic to the Baltic States, to West Sweden and Norway.
The Port of Kiel is currently investing more than 30 million in port expansion and environmental protection. Ostuferhafen will be redesigned by spring so that logistical processes can be optimized. Parking space for vehicles will be expanded.
The construction of the first onshore-power supply plant is in full swing in the city port. The plant, which will supply eco-friendly electricity to the vessels of Color Line, will be completed by Easter.
At the same time, a Europe-wide tender for onshore-power supply plants to be installed at Ostseekai and Schwedenkai, is being prepared.
Buy, sell, ship, establish business relations – just an ordinary day at the Port of Gdansk, and at the same time, a board game scenario. It is one of very few professional port-themed games in the market.
EUR 155 Million EIB Support For Investment In Two New Cruise Ferries By Irish Continental Group
The European Investment Bank is providing EUR 155 million to finance two new ro-pax vessels for the ICG subsidiary Irish Ferries.
The loan to Irish Continental Group represents the first support approved by the EIB under a new Green Shipping financing initiative that supports investment in new and existing ships to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
Three Bidders Invited To Apply For Contract To Run Ferries For The Northern Isles
The invitation to tender for the next contract to run ferries to the Northern Isles has been issued to three bidders.
Submission of final tenders is scheduled for March 2019, with a view to awarding the contract in July 2019.
The contract is estimated to be worth £370m and will run for eight years. Two of the bidders are current holders Serco as NorthLink and Calmac – the third is not known.
KiwiRail has confirmed plans to replace its three ageing Cook Strait ferries with two new, larger, purpose-built rail ferries.
KiwiRail’s decision follows a two-year consultation process which found rail-enabled ferries were the most cost effective, efficient and best in the long-term.
