After three months of shipyard works, chartered NOVA STAR entered service on the Gdańsk – Nynäshamn route, on Monday 17 September.
Photo: Kim Viktor
With the introduction of Project Starlight earlier this year, the management of Copenhagen – Oslo and Amsterdam – Newcastle DFDS cruise routes were moved to ensure maximum focus on the various work streams.
Project Starlight has been created to enhance customer satisfaction, job satisfaction and results for DFDS’ two cruise routes
Wasaline set new records both on the passenger side and on the vehicle
side this summer (June-August).
- +4,4% passengers
- + 4,7% cars
The figures for January-August shows an increase within all segments:
- +7,6% passengers
- +6,9% cars
- +1,5% freight
The booking situation for Autumn looks promising.
Kiel’s Ostuferhafen Access Area Restructured
- The Port of Kiel is completely restructuring the access area to the Ostuferhafen, its main cargo and logistics hub. It has begun the partial demolition of a former grain storage facility.
- Result? The demolition along with the integration of adjacent areas will free up 2.8 hectares in the port access area on which expanded hard standing space can be created for trucks, trailers and cars.
- Who benefits? DFDS, SCA, Iggesund, the forwarders (more space) and cruise shipping.
Photo: Tom Körber
On 16 September North Sea Port received the visit of EU Transport commissioner Violetta Bulc. North Sea Port is the company managing three merged ports: Ghent, Terneuzen and Vlissingen.
In Terneuzen, the EU commissioner visited the building site of the New Lock. She was able to see the enlargement of the maritime access to the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. Europe is supporting this project with a contribution of EUR 48m.
In 2022, the first ship will be sailing through the New Lock.
Ghent is an important base for DFDS.
Bridges Linking The Estonian Islands Would Make Ferries Superfluous
Estonian ERR writes that ten companies and funds are interested to build bridges between the island of Muhumaa and the Estonian mainland, as well as between the islands of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa.
The way the bridges would be financed, would be decided by the new government elected next spring.
The total passenger traffic at Greek ports during the first quarter of the year recorded an increase of 8.2%, the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) said on Friday 14 September.
NorthLink Ferries has launched a new mobile booking app to offer customers an additional digital platform to view timetables and book sailings.
A third freight vessel, the ARROW, will be chartered for sailings between Lerwick and Aberdeen over the next few weeks following pressure from the Shetland seafood industry over a lack of capacity.
Debt-free Minoan Lines Is In Excellent Shape
When going through Minoan Lines’ H1 report one will especially remark that the lack of debt obligations and the level of the Group’s cash balance means the company is in good shape.
A selection of significant events
- The sale to Attica Holdings S.A. of 37,667,504 shares of Hellenic Seaways Shipping S.A., representing 48.53% of the paid up share capital, for a consideration of € 78,500.
- In addition, the Company acquired the right to operate in the “Heraklion-Cyclades” route, while Attica Holdings S.A. and its affiliate companies undertook the commitment not to operate in this route for a period of three years.
- The purchase of HIGHSPEED (renamed SANTORINI PALACE) from Hellenic Seaways Shipping S.A.
- The purchase by a company owned by the Grimaldi Group of SUPERFAST XII.
- Upon completion of all above transactions, the Company and the Group incurred no profit or loss. On 29/6/2018, the Company’s bond loan was fully repaid. As a result, on 30/6/2018 the Company has no short-term or long-term bank loans.
Figures (in thousands)
+ Turnover € 35,903 (€35,497)
– EBITDA € 8,505 (€ 9,682)
+ Net profit € 1,854 (€ 1,585)
