Dec 20
2

Green Shipping Corridor: A New Era for Tyne and IJmuiden

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The Green North Sea Shipping Corridor Project has officially launched. The initiative aims to establish the first green shipping corridors between the Port of Tyne (UK) and the Port of IJmuiden (The Netherlands), reducing carbon emissions and advancing greener trade routes.

Key partners, including the Port of Tyne, DFDS, Ricardo, KVSA, and Zeehaven IJmuiden, gathered recently to kick off this ambitious project. Supported by a £9 million UK government investment through the International Green Corridors Fund, the initiative focuses on transitioning from ageing vessels to methanol-fuelled ferries, cutting CO2 emissions and setting a benchmark for sustainable shipping.

The project will assess the infrastructure needed at both ports for future fuels and electrification, as well as analyse the benefits of cleaner shipping practices.

Source: Port of Tyne

Dec 20
2

Construction of New Terminal at Långnäs Port Underway, Completion Expected by 2026

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  • Långnäs Port, a key maritime hub in the Åland Islands, is set to receive a state-of-the-art terminal by 2026, with groundwork now officially underway.
  • The new terminal is specially designed to handle passengers from Finnlines’ new ferries FINNSIRIUS and FINNCANOPUS.
  • Långnäs hamn Ab invites tenders for ground works for the upcoming terminal building: http://www.langnashamn.ax/anbud-41242395
Dec 20
2

FuelEU Maritime: Brussels Confirms Exemptions for Italy

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The European Commission has published Italy’s exemptions under the FuelEU Maritime Regulation (EU 2023/1805), which promotes renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport.

Italy will exempt:

  1. Ports on small islands (see list here).
  2. Ships and routes under public service contracts or obligations, operating between mainland ports before the regulation took effect.

These exemptions are based on information submitted by Italy to the Commission.

Photo: MOBY TOMMY is one of the ferries exempted under the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, operating key routes like Civitavecchia–Olbia and Genova–Porto Torres between October and May, ensuring essential services remain uninterrupted. (photo: Moby)

Dec 20
2

Baleària Continues to Grow on Algeria with New Routes

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Baleària continues to expand its connections to Algeria with a new route, between Valencia and Oran, which started on 18 December.

Baleària now has three weekly departures to Algeria, and soon four.

  • Valencia-Mostaganem (which has been operating since 2016)
  • Valencia-Algiers (which began operating in October 2024)
  • Valencia-Oran
  • Barcelona-Algiers (starting 15 January 2025)

Competition is rising on the Spain to Algeria routes, with the traditional State-owned Algerie Ferries, Baleària, Naviera Armas and newbee Nouris Elbahr Ferries (with the chartered CRACOVIA on Alicante and Marseille).

Dec 20
2

Company Bastø Fosen Changes Name

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Next year, Norwegian ferry company Bastø Fosen will become Torghatten Sør.

  • The Torghatten Group is rebranding the shipping companies within the company. The Torghatten Group consists of the shipping companies Bastø Fosen, Torghatten Midt and Torghatten Nord.
  • Bastø Fosen operates in the Oslofjord between Horten and Moss. The company has been part of the Torghatten family since 1995.
  • Torghatten has approximately 90 vessels and 1,200 employees, operating 50 ferry and high-speed ferry routes in Norway.
Dec 20
2

DFDS Announced its Three Ships for the Jersey Operations

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DFDS, set to become Jersey’s new ferry operator, unveiled the vessels to serve the island:

  • HSC TARIFA JET – Incat 043 – built 1997 – 700 pax and 150 cars
  • HSC LEVANTE JET – Incat 068 – built 2015 – 675 pax and 151 cars
  • RoPax STENA VINGA –built 2005/2010 – 400 pax and 200 cars – 108 beds -1,235/1,538 lane metres

The other Channel Island, Guernsey, will be deserved by Brittany Ferries / Condor Ferries.

Dec 20
2

Paving the Way for Climate-Neutral Shipping: Gotlandsbolaget’s Major Biogas Investment

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Gotlandsbolaget is taking a giant step towards achieving climate-neutral crossings between Gotland and the mainland by 2045

Partnering with Andion CH4 Renewables and Equitix New Generation Fund, Gotlandsbolaget is investing in a state-of-the-art biogas plant near Eskilstuna, scheduled to produce high-quality liquefied biogas (LBG) by the end of 2026.

Key highlights:

  • 5,400 tonnes of high-quality LBG annually.
  • A 10-year agreement with Destination Gotland to purchase the majority of the plant’s output.
  • 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ reduction over a decade compared to fossil LNG.

Photo: Mike Louagie

Dec 20
2

BC Ferries Hope for Approval for Five New Major Vessels

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BC Ferries has now formally submitted its plan to build five New Major Vessels (NMVs) to the BC Ferries Commissioner for approval. [press release]

  • The NMV project proposes to replace four aging vessels and add one new vessel to the fleet, adding critical space on the busiest routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
  • This will reduce wait times and boost overall capacity by up to 28% for passengers and 19% for vehicles.
  • The first of these vessels is expected to enter service in 2029, with five operational by 2031.
  • The public can provide feedback until mid-January 2025.