Rosslare and Dunkirk Receive €19.2 Million EU Support for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

Rosslare Europort and Port of Dunkirk have secured funding through the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)!

The €19.2 million investment will support:

  • Extension and upgrade of Berth 3 at Rosslare to handle larger vessels
  • New RoRo ramps and berth developments at Rosslare
  • Onshore power supply in both ports to cut emissions

Source: www.gov.ie

Source: European Commission Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme.

EU Co-Funding of €22 Million for Hansalink 3 Between Helsinki and Lübeck-Travemünde

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

The project concerns the development of the short-sea shipping link between the port of Helsinki the port of Lübeck-Travemünde, both located on the TEN-T core network. The main benefit of the project will be improved passenger and freight traffic at both terminals, as well as upgraded digital port infrastructure and shore-side electricity infrastructure.

Source: www.portofhelsinki.fi

Port of Dubrovnik Gets €18.6 EU Support for New Berths

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

The project concerns the construction of two new berths in the Port of Dubrovnik. The main benefit of the project will be reduced congestion and improved port efficiency by removing a current infrastructure bottleneck. This will contribute to cohesion by enhancing accessibility and connectivity for the region through maritime links.

Source: European Commission Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme.

EU Approves EMS Project Hanko-Rostock

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

The European Commission has approved the joint infrastructure project Rostock Port – Port of Hanko under the CEF Transport Call 2024.

Together, the ports will invest nearly €30 million to enhance maritime and intermodal transport capacity. Around €14 million of that will be allocated to Rostock, with 50% co-financing from the EU.

In Rostock, the project includes:

  • Extension of the intermodal terminal tracks to 680 m to strengthen rail freight.
  • Construction of new pre-staging areas and optimisation of logistics flows.

These upgrades will significantly boost multimodal transport, support climate-friendly logistics, and reinforce the maritime corridor between Finland and continental Europe.

Source: European Commission Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme.

Gijón and Nantes Ports Reconnect to Revive Motorway of the Sea

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

The Port Authority of Gijón visited the Port of Nantes–Saint Nazaire to establish contact between the new management teams of both ports and to work on reviving the Motorway of the Sea.

Both parties agreed to develop a joint commercial and institutional strategy to restore the service.

A meeting was also held with representatives from regional tourism agencies.

A return visit to the Port of Gijón by Nantes port officials is planned.

LD Lines ran the route until September 2014.

Source: www.puertogijon.es

Jersey Reviews Failed Joint Ferry Tender

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

The Government of Jersey’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has identified key failings in the joint ferry procurement process with Guernsey.

  • No shared governance or joint evaluation of bids.
  • No use of best practice models from UK/EU.
  • Commercial Services lacked clear oversight role.
  • External consultants were needed due to limited internal capacity.

A formal lessons-learned and benchmarking exercise is recommended by end 2025 to improve future joint procurement.

Section 6.2 (page 44) of the PAC report sheds light on Condor’s role in the failed Jersey–Guernsey ferry procurement:

  • Final Contender: Condor was the only firm remaining in the final stages before being rejected by Jersey, although Guernsey had scored its bid positively.
  • Financial Concerns: Jersey’s officials raised serious issues about Condor’s financial stability. A letter from Condor warned it might need up to £36 million in support to continue operations if unsuccessful in the tender.
  • Guernsey Moves Ahead: Frustrated by delays in Jersey, Guernsey went ahead and awarded their contract to a Condor/Brittany Ferries joint bid, leaving Jersey to launch a separate tender.
  • Resulting Split: Guernsey signed with Brittany/Condor, but Jersey chose DFDS in December 2024, marking the end of Condor’s 60-year continuous service

P&O Ferries to Close Teesport–Zeebrugge Route

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

P&O Ferries has informed staff that its Teesport–Zeebrugge route will close by the end of July, marking the end of its presence in Teesport.

  • The move is part of a strategic shift to focus on Tilbury and Hull.
  • Route vessel NORBAY will be redeployed elsewhere in the network.
  • Zeebrugge-Hull is expected to return to RoRo operations by mid-August. Serving now is container feeder FREYA.

This follows a series of route restructurings on the North Sea.

Gdynia Added to Finnlines Biscay Line

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

Since the end of June, Gdynia has been included in the Finnlines Biscay Line. The first call was made by FINNECO III.

  • Westbound (to Bilbao): every Friday at Gdynia OT Port
  • Eastbound (to Helsinki): every Sunday
  • Full rotation:

Helsinki – Kotka – Gdynia – Antwerp – Sheerness (London) – Zeebrugge – Bilbao – Zeebrugge – Antwerp – Gdynia – Helsinki

Source: OT Port Gdynia Ltd.

YIT to Extend West Harbour for Port of Helsinki

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

YIT has been awarded a €27.6 million contract by the Port of Helsinki to extend the quay field at the southern tip of West Harbour, Jätkäsaari.

  • Part of Helsinki’s long-term port renewal plan to consolidate all Tallinn traffic at West Harbour.
  • Works include dredging, land reclamation, quay construction, and technical infrastructure.
  • Construction begins summer 2025, completing autumn 2027, with uninterrupted port operations.

The project supports future passenger and freight growth and prepares the port for vessel electrification.

Source: YIT Corporation

Rendering: PES-Arkkitehdit Oy via Port of Helsinki

IMAGE CARDS

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

The Norwegian Ship Design Company posted a sneek peek of the battery ferry HELGØY, showing off at the Montex shipyard in Gdansk. The Torghatten ferry will soon head to Hvide Sande Shipyard for outfitting and final delivery. The Norwegian Ship Design Company have been acting as ship designers.

Source: The Norwegian Ship Design Company on Linkedin

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with South Korea’s Starline Co. Ltd. for the delivery of a new Damen Fast Ferry 4212. Available from stock at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam, the shipbuilder expects to deliver the vessel just seven weeks after the contract signing on 12th May.

Source: Damen