May 03
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The Mediterranean Reshuffle And Consolidation Continues As Expected, Almost

By 2018 Newsletter Week 18

Last week has seen a series of decisions being taken, which all impact the Mediterranean ferry scene. An overview:

  • Caronte & Tourist have announced that the “New TTT Lines” Naples – Catania service has been closed on April 23.
  • New TTT Lines operated two Visentini ro-pax ferries, the FLORENCIA, on charter from Grimaldi, and the CARTOUR GAMMA. Grimaldi has now acquired the CARTOUR GAMMA, and will put her together with the FLORENCIA on the route from Brindisi to Greece (Igoumenitsa and Patras).
  • The New TTT Line seafarers who lost their jobs have been protesting against the closure. Grimaldi obviously needs crew for the routes to Greece, but not all are prepared to switch from Naples to the Adriatic side. At an event organized in Sorrento Emanuele Grimaldi said he would need up to 1,000 seafarers extra for all his upcoming ships.
  • Grimaldi has transferred the EUROFERRY EGNAZIA and EUROFERRY OLYMPIA from the Adriatic to run between Salerno (instead of Naples) and Catania.
  • Grimaldi asked the Naples Port Authority for a concession for a dock. As long as this concession is not granted Grimaldi will operate from Salerno.

 

  • The Greek antitrust authority has given the green light to Attica to acquire Grimaldi Group’s 53% stake in Hellenic Seaways for EUR 78.5 million. See Attica’s press release on April 26.
  • Part of the Hellenic Seaways deal is the transfer of two ferries from Attica to the Grimaldi Group: SUPERFAST XII will go to Grimaldi (EUR 74.5m), and HIGHSPEED 7 will be integrated in the fleet of Minoan Lines (EUR 25m).
May 03
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New DUBLIN SWIFT Catamaran On Irish Sea

By 2018 Newsletter Week 18

 

Irish Ferries is boosting services between the UK and Ireland with the introduction of the upgraded, high-speed catamaran DUBLIN SWIFT, which has just entered service following a full internal refurbishment. It replaces the JONATHAN SWIFT, which has been in service since 1999.
It operates two crossings a day, in each direction between Holyhead and Dublin port. The new DUBLIN SWIFT has greater car (220 vehicles) and passenger (820 people) capacity.

Photo: Irish Ferries

May 03
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Stena RoRo’s Charter To DFDS = Fifth Stena E-Flexer

By 2018 Newsletter Week 18

Last week we announced that DFDS is going to charter one of the Stena RoRo E-Flexers under construction in China. In fact the vessel is the fifth in the series, and Stena RoRo has a further three options on vessels for delivery from 2021 and onwards.

In 2016, Stena RoRo placed an order for four large ro-pax ferries with the Chinese shipyard AVIC International with an option for a further four vessels. The vessel now ordered is the fifth in the series.

From the first batch of four vessels, three will be operated by Stena Line on the Irish Sea, and one by Brittany Ferries.

May 03
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CMAL To Purchase Three Shetland/Orkney Ferries

By 2018 Newsletter Week 18

A deal has been agreed for the three passenger ferries serving the Northern Isles to be purchased outright by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) with loan funding from the Scottish Government.

The HAMNAVOE, HROSSEY and HJALTLAND, which have previously been leased from Royal Bank of Scotland, will be taken into CMAL ownership.

Serco NorthLink Ferries will continue to operate the services until 31st October 2019 under the extended contract.

Photo: Northlink Ferries

May 03
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INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

By 2018 Newsletter Week 18

ProCargo Line, A New Ro-Ro Freight Company

The Grendi Group announced the birth of a new shipping company: ProCargo Line.
It is a company formed by Grendi, marine agency Vittorio Bogazzi and sons, the Port of Carrara and entrepreneur Euan Lonmon.

The route Carrara-Cagliari-Tunisia will be operated by ro-ro ALTINIA (1,150 lane meters).
The forecasts is for 200.000 tons of goods in the first 12 months.
Three categories of cargoes will be taken: rolling stock, containers and general cargo, such as large equipment, steel coils, marble pallets.

May 03
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

By 2018 Newsletter Week 18

“Despite a 20% increase in bunker prices through 2017, North European operators continued to post impressive financial results.”

Quote in the ro-ro section of the Annual Review 2018 published by the BRS Group.

A PDF version can be downloaded by clicking on the cover picture (14MB).

May 03
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SHORT NEWS

By 2018 Newsletter Week 18
  • FRS Helgoland organised a festive namegiving ceremony for its new catamaran HALUNDER JET in Hamburg on April 27.
    The new high-speed craft was built by the Austal shipyard in the Philippines.
  • CECILIA PAYNE is the new name for JONATHAN SWIFT, the fast ferry which left Dublin bound for La Coruña. For almost two decades she was active on the Irish Ferries route between Dublin and Holyhead. She has been sold to Baleària for EUR 15.5 million.