Learning From Ro-Ro Ferry Accidents
Over a seven-year period more than 3,000 casualties involving ro-ro vessels were reported by accident investigation bodies into EMCIP (European Marine Casualty Information Platform).
Drawing lessons from this data is the objective of EMSA’s latest safety analysis which focuses specifically on the investigations involving ro-ro vessels. As many as 439 safety recommendations were made following the investigated accidents, one fifth of which were fire related.
Eamonn O’Reilly was unanimously re-elected as Chairman following a vote of ESPO’s General Assembly in Brussels. E. O’Reilly has been chairing the organisation during the last two years.
The General Assembly also re-elected Annaleena Mäkilä and elected Zeno d’Agostino as Vice-Chairs. Ms Mäkilä is currently Managing Director of the Finnish ports Association and has been Vice Chair since 2014. Mr d’Agostino is President of Assoporti, the Italian Association of Ports and President of the Port Network Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea. Z. d’Agostino replaces Bernard Mazuel (UPF-France) who has been Vice Chair for the last four years.
Irish Shipping Volumes Increased By +6% In Q3 2018
The latest IMDO iShip Index recorded an increase of +6% in shipping and port activity in the Republic of Ireland in Q3. The Index reached 1,037 points, the fourth consecutive quarter in which it has exceeded the baseline of 1,000 points. This continues the trend of steady growth in the ports and shipping sector since 2009.
With lorries as the only exception, the Bornholmlinjen in all areas has increased traffic in October compared to Danske Ferger in October 2017
Some criticism the new ferry operator was heard on the island of Bornholm. The main complaint was about cancellations of crossings and the information.
Although not intended as a response to the criticism, Bornholmslinjen said that the company transported more to and from the island than its predecessor in the same month of last year.
High-speed ferry service Rønne – Ystad (EXPRESS 1)
+16.5% departures with 240 departures. 254 were planned but 14 had to be cancelled because of the weather conditions.
+11.4% passenger cars
+10.8% passengers
-35.1% trucks
Remark: there was an important increase of freight on the conventional route between Rønne and Køge, on ro-pax HAMMERSHUS.
Almost two weeks after Cretan Lines Cargo’s ro-ro NEARHOS was stuck on the island of Nea Kameni (Santorini), the vessel was freed. She was towed to a shipyard for repairs.
Thomas P. Illes, Shipping & Cruise/Ferry Analyst, was so kind to share some pictures he took last week during a cruise in the Med. The first photo was taken in Ajaccio. The dramatic sky is obvious. It was the period when so much damage was created along the Italian Coast.
The photos below were taken in Olbia.
FINLANDIA SEAWAYS is finally back in service after her engine room fire. She is currently operating on the Cuxhaven – Immingham route.
Thank you Justin Merrigan (Merrigan Maritime Communications Ltd) and Judy Benson (Incat) for pointing out that Baleària’s order is NOT the world’s first LNG-powered high-speed catamaran. Indeed, FRANCISCO was the first dual-fuel high-speed ferry to operate with LNG as the primary fuel. She was built by Incat for its operator Buquebus in 2013.
There are now officially three candidates for the maritime DSP contract (Delegation of Public Service):
On Monday 5 November, Corsica Ferries was the first company to present its candidature to the OTC (Office des Transports Corse).
Although not a complete surprise, it is now confirmed that Corsica Linea and La Mériodionale will both compete separately, after having been allies for many years.
The contract is for the ferry services between Marseille and five Corsican ports. The (difficult) decision will have to be taken before summer 2019. The new DSP starts on 1 October 2019 and lasts only until 31 December 2019. The relatively short period has to be seen as a test period, before switching to DSP’s of ten years.
La Mériodionale only has a fleet of three ro-pax ferries, but could have enough ships by adding chartered tonnage.
Minoan Lines have informed their passengers that from now on until 20 December, some routes will see some alterations, however with a minimum impact.
The reason is the installation of scrubbers.
In a press release the company says it is going to be the first ferry firm which, “will have been fully harmonized with the new requirements leading to reduced emissions for the benefit of the environment and country.”
From Friday 21 December, the cruise ferries KNOSSOS PALACE, FESTOS PALACE and MYKONOS PALACE will return to their scheduled itineraries.
KNOSSOS PALACE is actually in Perama, as first vessel to undergo the installation.
As from next June, Moby Lines will offer a new maritime route for passengers and cars linking the ports of Piombino with Bastia, thus competing with Corsica Sardinia Ferries. According to what is reported on Moby’s website, the new maritime service will be operated from 14 June to 29 September 2019. The daily trip is expected to last 3,5h (day) or 7,5h (night).
The vessel likely to be deployed is MOBY KISS.
