Nov 23
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What’s up St Peterline?

By 2017 Newsletter week 47

Managing director of the ferry operator Moby SPL LTD Sergei Kotenev gave an interview to Russian online media ‘Expert’.

Some highlights

  • The company went from two ferries to one. This required creating a new, complex timetable.
  • Depending on which crossing, guests can stay up to 72 hours without a visa in St.Petersburg. The new element is an overnight stay on board. This initiative is successful, but not as much as SPL would like. Therefore, next year SPL plans to create a new schedule with a two-week cycle. If necessary, SPL (Moby Lines) can supply the second vessel.
  • International sanctions against Russia did only affect the visits to St. Petersburg slightly. Sergei Kotenev says that prices are very attractive for foreign visitors.
  • No relaxation of visa procedures for Russians expected in the actual political climate. However, the Russian passenger is important. Average age 35-55 years.
  • Main target markets are Scandinavia, Germany and China.
  • St. Petersburg as the cultural capital not only of Russia, but of the world. Destination with huge potential, however the political situation makes it necessary to adjust business plans every year, every quarter.
  • If business booms Moby can easily transfer a ship from the Med to the Baltic.
  • For a while SPL ran the services from the Marine Façade terminal. Since this is a passenger-only terminal the ferry operator had to move to Maritime Station where ferry cargo is accepted.
  • In winter ice-class ships are needed, and these are hard to find. A dedicated vessel should be build. Kotenev says that “we have a project for a cruise ferry, which is designed to travel more than the traditional five days.”
Nov 23
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SHORT NEWS

By 2017 Newsletter week 47
  • Former ferry VÄSTERVIK, which has been bought by Inter Shipping, is in the Perama drydock until the end of November. The vessel is going to operate on the Algeciras – Tanger Med link as from early spring.
  • Traghetti delle Isola decided to charter European Seaways’ GALAXY for the Trapani (Sicily) – Pantelleria service. Pantellaria is an island 100km southwest of Sicily. She replaces the LAMPEDUSA, which has engine issues.
  • In January TT Line’s PETER PAN will be sent to Bremerhaven for lengthening (by 30m). During the two-month shipyard stay, the ferry is also to receive a new fuel-efficient bulbous bow. As a stop gap solution TT Line will charter DFDS’ PATRIA SEAWAYS. As the former TT TRAVELER she is a familiar ship on the routes between the continent and Sweden.
  • High-speed ro-pax monohull AELOS KENTERIS I will be sold by auction on December 6. She belonged to the fleet of bankrupt NEL Lines.
  • Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told the delegates of the national maritime conference “Les Assises économie de la Mer” in Le Havre that France would ask the IMO to add the Mediterranean to the list of Emission Control Areas.
Nov 23
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GLEN SANNOX launch

By 2017 Newsletter week 47

Watch the moment the GLEN SANNOX was launched from the slipway at Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow. She will serve CalMac’s Ardrossan – Arran ferry route. She is going to be the first LNG ferry in the UK to run on liquefied gas and was launched by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on November 21.
The ferry is designed to carry 127 cars or 16 HGVs or a combination of both and up to 1,000 passengers. The vessel is due to be delivered in Winter 2018/2019.

Photo © Stòras Mara Cailleanach Earranta (CMAL)

Nov 16
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Irish Continental Group not affected by weak Sterling

By 2017 Newsletter week 46

ICG published a trading update, covering carryings for the year to date to 11 November 2017.

  • Ro-Ro freight: 247,700 (246,500) =+0.5%
  • Cars: 385,100 (376,800) = +2.2%
  • Passengers: not included in the update.

Trading update with financial information for the first ten months of 2017.

  • Consolidated Group revenue: EUR 288.9 million = +3.1%
  • Ferries Division total revenues: EUR 184.4 million = +1.4%

Remarks

  • In the period since 30 June carryings grew at 1.6% underperforming market growth rates as the division has focused on higher yielding accompanied freight traffic in advance of the introduction of the new ferry W.B. YEATS.
  • The Euro value of the division’s Sterling originating revenues have been affected by weaker Sterling but this has been partly mitigated by offsetting improvement from Sterling based costs.
  • Higher bunker costs.
Nov 16
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Q3 Interim report: cargo keeps DFDS on track for record results

By 2017 Newsletter week 46
  • Freight is pushing the DFDS figures to record levels, while the passenger volumes stay the same.
  • Strong performance for freight on North Sea routes: volumes up 8%
  • Revenue DKK 3,922 (3,799) +3.3%
  • EBITDA DKK 976 million (972 million) +0.4%
  • EBIT DKK 742 million (738 million) +0.5%
  • Profit before tax DKK 714 Million (732 million) -2.6%)
  • The Group’s revenue growth for 2017 is now expected to be around 3% compared to previously around 4%, excluding revenue from bunker surcharges.
  • At the Q&A session, DFDS CEO Niels Smedegaard said there were no plans for new cruise ferries. Current vessels can continue for 10 years if needed.
Nov 16
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Strategic investment by Damen Shipyard Group

By 2017 Newsletter week 46

Damen Shipyards Group has entered into a share purchase agreement with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for the acquisition of its majority share in Daewoo Mangalia Heavy Industries, in Romania, on the Black Sea coast.
Damen already owns a shipyard in Romania, in Galati on the banks of the River Danube. It is currently the group’s largest shipyard.
The acquisition will provide Damen with capacity to cater for the largest maritime vessels and structures.

Nov 16
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Viking Line’s operating income could be lower than in 2016

By 2017 Newsletter week 46

In its revised earnings forecast for the 2017 financial year, Viking Line’s assessment is that operating income for 2017 will decline, compared to operating income for 2016.

The reasons are:

  • Pressure on passenger prices and volumes because of the competition.
  • Higher bunker prices.
  • The expected revision in Finland’s restitution law for 2017 has been delayed, and it is uncertain whether this can be carried out so that it will affect consolidated earnings for 2017.
Nov 16
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Brøderna Aa to build more carbon-fibre ferries for tough Norwegian coast

By 2017 Newsletter week 46

Nordland Fylkeskommune (=county) has ordered two fuel-efficient high-speed catamarans from Brødrene Aa, a contract worth NOK 200 million.
The carbon-fibre passenger-only vessels will be used on Bodø-Svolvær (Lofoten) and Bodø-Sandnessjøen routes, currently operated by Torghatten Nord.
Ownership of the crafts will be in the hands of the local authorities. An operator will be chosen by a tender process.
First vessel to be delivered in December 2018.

Photo © Brøderne Aa / Polarkonsult