Feb 02
2

Finnlines Appoints New CFO And Updates Executive Committee’s Responsibilities

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Finnlines announced on 19 December 2024 that Thomas Doepel had been appointed as the President and CEO of Finnlines Plc, effective on 1 March 2025. Following this, Finnlines has appointed a new CFO and updated the Executive Committee’s responsibilities.

Santeri Laakso has been appointed as the new CFO and a member of the Executive Committee of Finnlines Plc as of 1 March 2025. In his new role, Mr. Laakso will report to Thomas Doepel.

Thomas Doepel taking over as President and CEO, will lead Finnlines’ Executive Committee and continue being directly responsible for Finnlines Ship Management. In addition, Mr. Doepel will assume direct responsibility for Group Quality and Group Communication.

More details about the roles in the Executive Committee here.

Feb 02
2

PORTS

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Annual Figures for Port of Antwerp-Bruges Show Growth Despite Challenging Times

  • Containers were the driving force behind the 2.3% growth in total throughput in the ports of Zeebrugge and Antwerp, amounting to 278 million tons.
  • RoRo throughput decreased by 3.4% in 2024 compared to 2023. This decline was noticeable in transportation equipment, such as new cars (-9.4%), used cars (-31.8%), trucks (-3.2%) and High & Heavy (-22.0%).
  • Belgian car sales were down 5.8% (Jan-Nov), and European electric vehicle sales were also down 5.4% (YTD), mainly due to a sharp drop in Germany.
  • The throughput of unaccompanied cargo on RoRo ferries in Zeebrugge increased by 3.4%, with decreases in traffic to the UK (-2.8%) offset by increases to Ireland (+1.4%), Scandinavia (+16.3%) and Spain/Portugal (+34%).

More details on the Port of Antwerp Bruges website

Feb 02
2

2024: Port Boulogne Calais maintains its momentum

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  • Tourist traffic was up by 11% in Calais. 7.6 million passengers (+4%) and 1.4 million vehicles. 68,000 coaches (+13%) used the infrastructure last year, i.e. 3 out of 4 coaches on the Dover Strait.
  • Freight traffic remained steady at 1.8 million units, representing a tonnage of almost 40 million tonnes. On the Strait, more than one lorry in two chooses to use the Port of Calais.
  • Commercial terminal activity rose by 5% to 1.3 million tonnes.
  • Rail motorway services set a new record with 46,000 units, up 10%. 1/3 of freight units transported on rail motorways in France are destined for or depart from the Port of Calais.
  • Traffic in new vehicles increased by a factor of 2.5 over 2024, with 25,000 units.
Feb 02
2

Portsmouth International Port Introduces LNG Bunkering

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The SAINT-MALO, the first of two new electric-hybrid ships from Brittany Ferries soon to be entering service from the city, took on LNG fuel from the OPTIMUS, a bunkering barge operated by Titan Clean Fuels.

Titan was issued a permit to perform LNG bunkering operations at Portsmouth International Port earlier this month, following a long-term agreement signed between the Dutch company and Brittany Ferries, for the supply of the cleaner fuel. LNG bunkering is now available to all customers sailing into and out of Portsmouth International Port.

Source: Portsmouth International Port

Feb 02
1

IMAGE CARDS

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RoRo vessel LISTA is being chartered by Smyril Line and began to operate on the route between Rotterdam, Tórshavn, and Þorlákshöfn on Monday, January 27.

The legendary SUPERSTAR of Seajets is currently undergoing her annual maintenance and dry docking at Spanopoulos Group facilities in Salamina. As part of her annual refit, she will also receive her new livery.

The reliable vessel ceased operations on the Volos-Sporades route last November and is expected to resume service on 10 February.

Built in Belgium in 1974, SUPERSTAR continues to be a trusted presence in the fleet.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

On the 24th of January, the RoRo vessel HAWAIKINUI 2 for the Polynesian Navigation Company (SNP, Société de navigation polynésienne), has been christened and launched at the Bodewes Foxhol location.

The vessel will take over from the actual vessel HAWAIKINUI, on the route between Tahiti, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a and Bora Bora.

Photo: Royal Bodewes

Jan 28
2

DFDS: 2024 Preliminary Results, 2025 Preliminary Outlook & Financial Ambitions

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Preliminary results for 2024     

  • DFDS’ revenue for 2024 increased 9.0% to DKK 29.8bn which was in line with the latest outlook revenue growth range of 8-10%.
  • The 2024 EBIT was DKK 1.5bn in line with the latest EBIT outlook range of DKK 1.5-1.7bn.
  • The adjusted free cash flow for 2024 was DKK 1.0bn compared to an outlook of around DKK 1.2bn.

Preliminary outlook for 2025

  • DFDS’ EBIT for 2025 is expected to be around DKK 1.0bn.
  • The EBIT expectation includes substantial negative earnings impacts from the changed competitive environment of the Mediterranean ferry network. The addition of the Türkiye & Europe South business area (previously Ekol International Transport) to the Logistics Division will as expected also reduce EBIT in 2025.

DFDS will in 2025 focus on:

  • Adapting Mediterranean ferry operations to the changed competitive environment.
  • Turning Türkiye & Europe South around to breakeven by year-end 2025.
  • Progressing the Logistics turnarounds initiated in 2024.
  • Deleveraging the capital structure will also be a priority in 2025 along with a review of non-core asset ownership.

The annual report for 2024 is set for release on 21 February.

Jan 28
2

Grimaldi Group’s Motorways of the Sea Expand to Another Turkish Port

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Expansion to Gemlik: Grimaldi Group has added the port of Gemlik (Gemport) to its Trieste-Patras-Ambarli RoRo route, with regular calls starting mid-December 2024.

 Significance: Marks an extension of the Motorways of the Sea to the Asian side of Turkey, strengthening connections in the region.

 Route Development:

  • Launched in September 2024 as a direct service between Trieste (Italy) and Ambarli (Turkey).
  • Enhanced in October 2024 with an intermediate stop in Patras (Greece), creating direct Greece-Turkey links and improving Italy-Turkey connectivity
  • Offers access to Bari and Venice in Italy via transshipment in Patras.

Strategic Location: Gemlik, in Turkey’s industrial heartland, serves the textile and automotive sectors, complementing the route’s logistics network.

 Eco-Friendly Fleet:

  • Served by Grimaldi’s eco-friendly vessels, ECO MALTA and ECO MEDITERRANEA, with twice-weekly calls at each port.
  • Plans to add a third vessel due to increasing demand for quality and sustainable transport.

Source: Grimaldi Group

Jan 28
2

Wasaline’s 2024 Performance: Progress and Sustainability Highlights

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Key Developments and Achievements

  • Reduction in Carbon Footprint:
    • Total carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 5% in 2024.
    • Increased use of green shore power by 22%, saving 1,800 tons of CO₂.
  • Operational Performance:
    • Cargo volumes increased by 6% in tonnage and 3.2% in length metres.
    • Passenger numbers and vehicles decreased by 9%, while buses saw a 1.3% decline.
    • Revenue dropped by 3.7%, but overall results remained stable.
  • Market Share Gains:
    • Maintained market share in passenger traffic.
    • Passenger vehicle and bus market share increased, with a 50% growth in the bus segment.
  • Intermodal and Carbon-Neutral Transport:
    • Launched intermodal transport from Umeå to southern Sweden and Europe, minimising emissions.
    • Introduced carbon-neutral transport options for passengers and cargo, with climate compensation allocated to biofuel or battery resources.
  • Commitment to Carbon Neutrality:
    • Targeting full carbon neutrality by 2030.
    • Hybrid vessel AURORA BOTNIA uses LNG, biogas, and batteries, operating on electricity in port areas with green shore power.

Outlook

  • Positive booking trends indicate an economic turnaround for both passengers and cargo.
Jan 28
2

Stena RoRo Expands Fleet with the Addition of STENA SHIPPER

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Stena RoRo has announced the acquisition of the RoRo vessel GIUSEPPE LUCCHESI, now renamed STENA SHIPPER, as part of its fleet expansion strategy.

  • Seller: CIN (Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione SpA), part of Moby Lines SpA.
  • Built in 2012 at the Odense Yard
  • Danish flag
  • Comes with an existing contract for service on the Rades–Marseille route in partnership with Cotunav.
  • Length: 193 metres
  • Cargo Capacity: 3,663 linear metres across four decks
  • Speed: 21 knots
Jan 28
2

One More Route Between Spain and Algeria

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Baleària launched a new RoPax ferry route from the port of Barcelona to Algiers, which is the company’s first international line from the port of the Catalan capital.

The company currently offers four routes to Algeria:

  • Barcelona-Algiers
  • Valencia-Algiers
  • Valencia-Oran
  • Valencia-Mostaganem

Baleària has been operating on Algeria since 2016, when it opened its first Valencia-Mostaganem route. Last October, it began operating between Valencia and Algiers, and in December between Valencia and Oran.

The Algerian routes become highly competitive with several European ferry companies offering services, against a weakened state-owned Algérie Ferries.

Source: Baleària