Jul 18
Love3

P&O Ferries Improves Bus Links for Dover Foot Passengers

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

P&O Ferries, in partnership with Stagecoach South East and the Port of Dover, has introduced an enhanced timetable for the number 66 bus service linking Dover Priory railway station with the Eastern Docks.

Effective from 26 July 2026, the revised schedule is better aligned with the operator’s busiest Dover–Calais sailings, reducing waiting times and improving connections for foot passengers. P&O Ferries, currently the only operator carrying foot passengers on the route, will also offer integrated ferry and bus ticket sales through its website.

The initiative aims to make public transport connections more convenient and support more sustainable travel to and from the port.

Jul 18
Love3

Torghatten Secures New 13-Year Melbu–Fiskebøl Ferry Contract

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

Torghatten has secured a new 13-year contract to continue operating the Melbu–Fiskebøl ferry route in Northern Norway, successfully retaining all of its ferry contracts in the region awarded during the first half of 2026.

The route, linking Hadseløya in Vesterålen with Austvågøya in Lofoten, will be gradually electrified as part of efforts to reduce emissions and support the green transition of Norwegian ferry transport.

Torghatten also confirmed that its newbuild MF HADSEL will be deployed on the crossing. The vessel is expected to enter service next year, providing passengers and crew with a modern, future-oriented ferry.

Jul 18
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Color Line Marks 5,000 Digitoll Transports ahead of Mandatory Rollout

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

Color Line Cargo has announced that it has facilitated more than 5,000 Digitoll transports to Norway, underlining growing adoption of the country’s digital customs system ahead of a key regulatory deadline.

Digitoll, introduced by the Norwegian Customs Administration, enables customs information to be submitted electronically before goods arrive in Norway. The system is designed to speed up border procedures, reduce paperwork and improve the flow of freight by allowing customs authorities to assess shipments in advance.

Color Line has worked with Digitoll for road transport over the past two years and recently extended its services to include sea transport. The company says it is ready to support customers as the industry prepares for the next phase of implementation.

The system is particularly important for RoRo and ferry traffic serving Norway, as it allows customs formalities to be completed before trucks and trailers reach Norwegian ports.

A major milestone is approaching on 15 September 2026, when Digitoll will become mandatory for road freight entering Norway. Transport operators, logistics providers and freight customers are therefore being urged to ensure their processes are compliant before the deadline.

According to Color Line, the achievement of 5,000 Digitoll transports demonstrates the industry’s ongoing transition towards more digital and efficient freight operations.

https://www.toll.no/en/corporate/digitoll

Jul 18
Love3

European Shipowners Call for Permanent EU ETS Derogations

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

European Shipowners (ECSA) have urged the European Commission to make the current maritime EU ETS derogations permanent beyond 2030, arguing that they are essential to maintain connectivity and competitiveness for islands, outermost regions and ice-bound areas.

According to ECSA, shipping carries around 76% of the EU’s external trade and provides vital passenger and freight links to remote regions. The association says the existing derogations should apply automatically, without requiring activation by individual Member States.

Key proposals include:

  • Islands: Extend the derogation to all EU islands, including those with more than 200,000 permanent residents and island states, for both passenger and cargo services.
  • Ice-classed ships: Make the derogation permanent and align it with FuelEU Maritime provisions, recognising that higher emissions result from safety and navigational requirements in ice conditions rather than commercial decisions.
  • Outermost regions: Apply the derogation to all voyages from, to and between the EU’s outermost regions and all Member States.
  • Public service obligations: Maintain the existing derogation for transnational public service obligation routes.

ECSA supports retaining the current geographical scope of the EU ETS for shipping, provided that these derogations are made permanent and adapted to reflect operational realities in remote and ice-affected regions.

The proposals have been submitted ahead of the forthcoming review of the EU Emissions Trading System.

Jul 18
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UK Travellers Shift Towards Ferry Travel Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

New research by Travel Uni and Discover Ferries, based on responses from more than 800 travel agents and tour operators, suggests that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are influencing holiday choices across the UK.

According to the survey, 78% of respondents have seen increased interest in closer-to-home European destinations, while 39% reported growing demand for UK staycations. Flight-free travel is also gaining traction, with 37% noting increased interest in ferry and rail journeys.

The survey found that 89% of agents reported greater customer concern about travel disruption and flight cancellations, while 87% cited worries about fuel surcharges and rising travel costs. As a result, 74% observed travellers booking closer to departure dates. Cost-conscious consumers are also opting for cheaper holidays (59%) and shorter breaks (45%).

Discover Ferries said the findings underline the appeal of ferry travel as a reliable and flexible alternative to air travel, offering access to more than 80 destinations from UK ports.

Jul 18
Love3

Rachel Allen Becomes Brand Ambassador for Hibernia Line

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

Hibernia Line has appointed renowned Irish chef, cookery writer and TV personality Rachel Allen as its brand ambassador. She will work with the onboard culinary teams of ST PATRICK and AKKA to develop menus showcasing Irish produce and cuisine on the carrier’s six-times-weekly service between Cork and Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The seasonal menus will focus on local ingredients and traditional Irish dishes, reinforcing Hibernia Line’s Cork roots and its ambition to offer passengers a distinctive dining experience while travelling between Ireland and mainland Europe. Allen will also oversee regular menu updates throughout the year.

Jul 14
Love3

DFDS Freight Volumes Increase in June

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

DFDS reported total ferry freight volumes of 3.5 million lane metres in June 2026, an increase of 3.3% compared with June 2025.

Growth was driven by stronger performances in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Strait of Gibraltar networks. North Sea volumes benefited from higher traffic on most routes and a favourable comparison with June 2025, when a national strike in Sweden impacted volumes. In the Mediterranean, overall freight volumes were lower due to reduced capacity on certain routes, although growth continued on services to Egypt and Tunisia.

Channel volumes were slightly below the level recorded in June 2025.

Over the last twelve months, DFDS transported 41.9 million lane metres of freight, up 0.8% from 41.5 million lane metres in the previous twelve-month period. Adjusted for route changes, freight volumes decreased by 0.4%.

Passenger volumes declined in June. DFDS carried 413,000 passengers, down 8.0% compared with June 2025. The decrease was mainly attributed to fewer departures and lower traffic volumes on the Strait of Gibraltar routes and the Dover Strait.

For the last twelve months, passenger numbers totalled 5.0 million, a decrease of 17.7% compared with 6.1 million in the previous period. Adjusted for route changes, the decline was 5.3%.

Jul 14
Love3

TT-Line Orders Second Green Ship 2.0 Newbuild

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

TT-Line has confirmed the order of a second Green Ship 2.0 battery-hybrid LNG ferry, following the announcement of the first vessel at the end of 2025. The sister ships will be built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing and form part of the company’s long-term fleet renewal and sustainability strategy. The first vessel is scheduled to enter service on the Baltic Sea before summer 2030.

Designed to build on the success of NILS HOLGERSSON and PETER PAN, the new vessels will each accommodate up to 930 passengers and offer 5,400 lane metres of freight capacity. They will feature LNG-hybrid propulsion combined with a battery energy storage system of 5.5–10 MWh, designed to enable fully electric operation in the future. Enhanced shore power capabilities will allow high-capacity battery charging during port calls.

According to TT-Line, the battery system will enable silent and emission-free operation during port stays and manoeuvring, while advanced power management technology will optimise energy consumption and increase operational flexibility. The vessels are also designed with additional battery rooms and a future-ready electrical architecture to support further electrification over their lifetime.

Passenger facilities will include 300 cabins, new accommodation concepts for families, couples and truck drivers, enlarged restaurants and lounges, upgraded crew facilities, a wellness area with sauna and jacuzzi, children’s play facilities and dedicated pet areas.

TT-Line CEO Bernhard Termühlen said the second order demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to providing efficient and state-of-the-art transport solutions between Sweden, Germany, Poland and Lithuania.

Key facts

  • Shipyard: China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Nanjing
  • Number of vessels: 2
  • Entry into service: First vessel in 2030
  • Freight capacity: 5,400 lane metres
  • Passenger capacity: 930
  • Cabins: 300
  • Propulsion: LNG-hybrid with 5.5–10 MWh battery system
  • Future-ready for fully electric operation
Jul 14
Love3

Foreship Develops Energy-Efficient Ferry Design for the Greek Domestic Market

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

Foreship, the naval architecture and marine engineering company of RINA, has developed a new ferry concept tailored to the specific operational and economic requirements of the Greek domestic market, with a focus on efficiency, simplicity and cost control.

The company explains that a central element of the concept is the operating profile. While speed has traditionally been a defining factor in the Greek ferry sector, the new design is optimised for more moderate speeds, enabling significant improvements in fuel efficiency and overall operating economics.

The vessel has also been conceived in line with the latest regulatory developments, including updated stability requirements that are reshaping ferry design across Europe and influencing aspects such as dimensions and passenger capacity.

Ari Huttunen, Marine Design & Engineering Projects Principal Consultant at Foreship, said: “This new vessel concept has been developed in response to the specific challenges of the Greek market, with a focus on optimising both capital and operating expenditure. The design integrates all essential functionalities required for safe and reliable operations while avoiding unnecessary complexity, resulting in a robust and economically sustainable vessel.”

Jul 14
Love3

Newly-built RoPax COSTANZA I DI SICILIA enters service in Southern Italy

By 2026 Newsletter week 28

The Sicilian Region has officially introduced its newly built RoPax ferry, COSTANZA I DI SICILIA, which will be operated by Caronte & Tourist. Constructed by Fincantieri at its Palermo shipyard, the vessel represents a major milestone for regional maritime transport.

Following the successful completion of technical sea trials this week, the ship is scheduled to enter full operational service before mid-August.

She will be deployed on the regular route connecting Porto Empedocle with the Pelagie Islands of Lampedusa and Linosa.

Key specifications

  • Length: 140 metres
  • Gross tonnage: 14,500 GT
  • Capacity: 1,000 passengers and 200 cars
  • Maximum speed: 19 knots
  • Cabins: 137
  • Dual-fuel engines powered by marine gas oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG)
  • Zero emissions in port through the use of photovoltaic panels and a dedicated battery pack
  • Advanced stabilisation system designed to ensure safe docking in rough sea conditions