The newest addition to the Brittany Ferries fleet, the hybrid SAINT-MALO, also arrived in Portsmouth for the very first time.
She is the first Brittany Ferries vessel to refuel with LNG at the port and is one of two ships set to connect to Portsmouth’s shore power system when it becomes operational later this year.
SAINT-MALO conducted berthing trials during her visit and is preparing to enter service on the St Malo route, scheduled for 12 February.
Stena Line’s ferry services on the Holyhead – Dublin route resumed on January 16th following the closure of the ferry berths at Holyhead Port in early December.
Source: Port of Tallinn Photo: Argo Viikvald
Gotlandsbolaget has revealed a new livery for ex-DFDS ferries, now named NORDIC CROWN and NORDIC PEARL. The ships will sport a red, white, and aqua-green scheme inspired by sea tones between Copenhagen and Oslo. The DFDS Maltese cross on the chimney is replaced by Gotlandsbolaget’s “G”. PEARL, currently in dry dock for upgrades including repainting, will return to Copenhagen on January 24th, with CROWN to follow in March.
RoRo GIUSEPPE LUCCHESI has changed name into STENA SHIPPER, and flies the Danish flag.
Photo: Wikimedia
Hibernia Line is planning a new ferry service connecting Cork (Ringaskiddy), Ireland, with Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. The project is still in the planning phase.
Route and Frequency: The proposal outlines six weekly sailings, providing a direct connection between Ireland and northern France.
Vessels: Two RoPax ferries. (*)
Launch Timeline: The service aims to begin operations in 2025, pending further development. Insiders tell us 2026 is more realistic.
Strategic Importance: This project seeks to enhance Ireland’s connectivity to mainland Europe, bypassing the UK land bridge, especially in the context of post-Brexit logistics challenges.
Leadership: The project is spearheaded by Aidan Coffey, co-founder of DFDS Seaways Ireland, which successfully launched the Rosslare-Dunkerque route in 2021.
Website: https://hibernia-line.com/
(*) GNV has refuted claims regarding the potential charter or sale of its RoPax vessels, EXCELSIOR and EXCELLENT, to Hibernia Lines. Speaking to Ferry Shipping News, GNV clarified that these vessels are slated to remain in regular operation on their current routes. Both ships have recently undergone significant structural upgrades, enhancing their interiors and service usability as part of the company’s broader fleet renewal programme.
Passenger Statistics (2024 Full Year)
In December (2024) AS Tallink Grupp transported:
460,786 passengers (-6.2%)
18,851 freight units (-16.3%)
57,955 passenger vehicles (-2.7%)
In Q4 (2024) AS Tallink Grupp transported:
1,310,014 passengers (-2.2%)
64,606 freight units (-15.2%)
164,586 passenger vehicles (-4.8%)
Source: https://company.tallink.com/for-investors/reports-and-financial-key-figures
Now it is official: the two Channel Islands, Jersey and Guernsey, will each have a separate ferry company deserving each island.
Early December 2024, the Government of Guernsey has signed a contract with Brittany Ferries for 15 years. Brittany Ferries is the parent company of Condor Ferries.
End of December, the Government of Jersey has signed a contract with DFDS for 20 years.
A DFDS news release explains:
Quid Saint-Malo?
Brittany Ferries submitted its schedules for 2025 to the Port of Saint-Malo on 14 November, one day earlier than DFDS. As a result, Brittany – Condor Ferries is given scheduling priority for the Port of Saint-Malo in 2025.
It will be interesting to see how Saint-Malo copes with the berthing arrangements for the different competitors.
Remark:
As of December 2023, the estimated populations of the two main Channel Islands are:
Photo: Mike Louagie
The new two-year Public Service Obligation contracts (Obligación de Servicio Público or OSP) for the Spanish enclave Melilla generated changes in the maritime routes since 1 January 2025. None of the three routes will face competition, which users of the route see as a threat.
Armas Trasmediterránea
Baleària
Source: https://www.transportes.gob.es/el-ministerio/sala-de-prensa/noticias/mar-10092024-1451
Corsica Ferries will no longer operate the maritime link between the port of Piombino and Portoferraio on the Elba Islands. The company, controlled by Pierre Mattei, announced the sale of the Elba Ferries brand to BN di Navigazione (operating through Blu Navy).
The line, which has been operated every summer with the HSC CORSICA EXPRESS THREE, will now be chartered by Corsica Ferries to Blu Navy.
Over the course of 13 seasons, Elba Ferries transported more than 2.6 million passengers and over 830,000 vehicles on more than 13,000 trips, the company explained.
“The sale of Elba Ferries is part of our strategic plan, which, from 2025, will focus on the constant improvement of quality and the strengthening of our fleet. We will concentrate our energies, strategies, and investments on Corsica, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands, as well as on new products such as mini-cruises,” said Sébastien Romani, Chief Sales Officer of Forship SPA (Corsica Sardinia Ferries).
The CGT union has called for a 48-hour strike from 13 to 15 January, raising concerns about foreign competition and the future of French maritime jobs. (note from editor: why strike at the companies who do fly the French flag?)
Remark: the three other unions will not strike.
