Nov 06
3

Tallinn and Stockholm Ports Launch “Swed-Est Green Collaboration”

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

On 4 November, Port of Tallinn and Ports of Stockholm signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Tallinn to launch the Swed-Est Green Collaboration — a joint initiative to promote sustainable and fossil-free maritime and port operations between Estonia and Sweden, primarily on the Tallinn–Stockholm and Paldiski–Kapellskär routes.

Key goals:

  • Reduce environmental impact and support fossil-free maritime transport.
  • Develop new business models, research projects, and access EU funding.
  • Increase passenger volumes, freight flows, and ship calls to boost regional economies.

Planned actions include:

  • Installation of onshore power supply (OPS) for RoPax vessels in Paldiski South Harbour and Kapellskär by 2030.
  • Investment in renewable energy such as solar panels and CO₂-free heating and power systems.
  • Improved waste management and circular economy solutions, including food waste biogas production and potential greywater reuse.
  • Transition to emission-free port equipment and electrified heavy transport.

Valdo Kalm, CEO of Port of Tallinn, said the partnership gives both ports a strategic edge, offering sustainable solutions for passengers and freight operators.
Magdalena Bosson, CEO of Ports of Stockholm, highlighted the shared responsibility between the two countries: “Sweden and Estonia share the same sea and the same duty to protect it.”

The initiative marks a new phase of maritime cooperation in the Baltic Sea, strengthening the path towards cleaner, more sustainable port operations.

Nov 06
3

ESPO Environmental Report 2025: European Ports Lead on Sustainability

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

End of October, ESPO presented its Environmental Report 2025 – EcoPortsinSights during the GreenPort Congress in Valletta. The report, based on data from 77 ports in 18 countries, highlights the ongoing environmental progress of Europe’s port sector.

Key findings:

  • Climate change remains the top environmental priority for the fourth consecutive year, followed by air quality and energy efficiency.
  • 80% of ports have GHG reduction targets; 53% extend these to port-related operations.
  • The Fit for 55 package (AFIR and FuelEU) continues to drive change, with ports expanding OPS connections and supporting alternative fuels.
  • 69% of ports report operational challenges linked to climate impacts; 86% integrate adaptation measures into new projects.
  • Land-use planning and green infrastructure have become key concerns as ports evolve into energy hubs.

Environmental governance is also strengthening:

  • The Environmental Management Index reached a record 8.67.
  • 99% of ports now have environmental policies, legal inventories, and defined improvement objectives.
  • Certification under the Port Environmental Review System (PERS) continues to grow.

Ansis Zeltins, ESPO Chair, said the report “highlights the positive progress ports are making in environmental management.”
Tim Verhoeven, ESPO’s Senior Policy Advisor, added that it shows “how ports voluntarily strive to improve their surroundings and reduce environmental impact.”

Nov 06
3

DFDS Board Initiates CEO Succession

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

DFDS’ Board of Directors has begun the search for a successor to CEO Torben Carlsen, who will remain in his role until a replacement is appointed to ensure continuity during the company’s transition and cost reduction programme.

Torben Carlsen joined DFDS in 2009 as CFO and became CEO in 2019. He led key acquisitions such as Norfolkline and UN RoRo, expanded the network, and guided DFDS through challenges including Brexit, Covid-19, and the Ukraine crisis.

Nov 06
3

EU Says No to Project Helios

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

The EU says no to support for Viking Line’s electric ferry concept Helios, but the shipping company is not slowing down but is charging ahead towards an emissions-free future in the Gulf of Finland.

Viking Line’s vision of the world’s largest all-electric passenger and car ferry was rejected by the EU’s Innovation Fund this week. But the shipping company is choosing to continue, just as determined as when the M/S Viking Grace put LNG on the world map.

Source: https://www.sjofart.ax/nyheter/eu-sager-nej-till-projekt-helios/

Nov 06
3

RoRo STORNO Left Ainaftis Fleet

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

On 3 November 2025, the RoRo STORNO (ex PELAGITIS, ATLANTIC FREIGHTER) of Ainaftis Shipping Co departed from Neos Molos Drapetsonas bound for the port of Salalah (Oman). The ship was sold to Togo Cargo Ferries earlier this year.

She was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (Ulsan, South Korea) in 1978 and had been serving on the North Aegean and Crete routes on behalf of Ainaftis for 15 years (2010–2025) as the PELAGITIS. Her carrying capacity is 1,650 lane metres and 12 drivers, and she can sail at 17 knots.

Photo: Dimitris Mendakis

Nov 06
3

SPORADES STAR on the South Aegean Service

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

Seajets’ SPORADES STAR (ex ST ELOI) will temporarily replace her fleet mate AQUA JEWEL on the Piraeus–Kythera–Antikythera–Kissamos route on 7 November.

The legendary vessel had been serving on the Lavrion–Agios Efstratios–Lemnos–Kavala barren line since 24 October, replacing AQUA BLUE, which went out of service for annual maintenance.

Built in Italy in 1975, she has a carrying capacity of 1,100 passengers and 180 cars, and can sail at 19 knots.

Photo: Mike Louagie

Nov 06
3

A-Ships Management’s GALAXY Returned from Faroe Islands Charter

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

On 3 November 2025, A-Ships Management’s ferry GALAXY returned to the port of Piraeus following a 10-week charter in the Faroe Islands. She left Greece on 5 August, chartered to the Faroese operator Strandfaraskip Landsins, replacing SMYRIL on the Tórshavn–Tvøroyri route.

Built in Poland in 1979, she has a carrying capacity of 900 passengers and 520 lane metres, with a service speed of 19 knots.

Photo: A-Ships Management

Oct 31
3

Brittany Ferries: Summer 2025 Marked by Growth and Energy Transition

By | 2025 Newsletter week 44 | No Comments

In Summary

  • +3% passengers overall
  • +4.5% in Normandy – the most dynamic region
  • +37% on Cherbourg–Rosslare – a booming route
  • Two hybrid LNG–electric vessels delivered
  • Third consecutive year of steady growth

Between June and September 2025, Brittany Ferries carried over 1.2 million passengers across its 12 routes — a 3% increase compared with 2024. This third consecutive summer of growth confirms the company’s sustainable development trajectory. Annual results, expected in spring 2026, should reinforce this trend.

“The strong summer results show that our strategy is working and that our business model is solid. Brittany Ferries continues to grow with regularity and ambition,”
said Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries.

2025 has been a landmark year for the company, highlighted by the delivery of SAINT-MALO and GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE — the first hybrid LNG/electric/bio-LNG ferries in the EU, setting new standards for environmental performance. The launch of the multinational “motorway of the sea” between the Iberian Peninsula and the British Isles via Cherbourg has also strengthened Brittany Ferries’ position on the Atlantic Arc.

“We’ve regained our pre-Covid business levels, secured French maritime jobs and met the challenge of the energy transition. We now call for fair and proportional support under the ETS scheme to continue our decarbonisation journey,”
said Jean-Marc Roué, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

 

Regional Highlights

Normandy: +4.5% passengers
604,130 passengers travelled on Norman routes (+4.5%), led by Caen–Portsmouth (+3%) following the introduction of the hybrid GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE. Other strong results include:

  • Cherbourg–Poole: +3%
  • Cherbourg–Portsmouth: +3%
  • Le Havre–Portsmouth: +16%
  • Cherbourg–Rosslare: +37%, confirming the rise of the France–Ireland–Spain corridor

Brittany: Stable traffic, freight surge
Passenger numbers remained stable at 393,471, while freight volumes rose sharply, boosted by SAINT-MALO, which entered service in February 2025. The route carried 2,390 freight units this summer (+84% year on year).

France–Ireland–Spain Corridor: +7%
Passenger traffic totalled 141,109, up 7%, driven by Cherbourg–Rosslare (+37%) and Rosslare–Bilbao (+9%). Daily sailings on Cherbourg–Rosslare have now begun, reinforcing this strategic link.

UK–Spain: +3%
Long-distance routes between the UK and Spain grew by 3%, with Plymouth–Santander up 6% and Portsmouth–Bilbao up 3%.

Guernsey: +59%
Traffic to Guernsey rose by an impressive 59% year on year.

“These results reflect bold choices: fleet renewal, next-generation ships and agility in seizing new opportunities like Cherbourg–Rosslare. They also highlight the dedication of our teams and partners,”
added Christophe Mathieu.

Access the press release with individual route statistics