The Board of Directors of Viking Line and CEO Jan Hanses have agreed that, as his retirement will occur in 2026, he will step down from the role of CEO in 2025 and then work as a senior advisor until his retirement in April 2026. The Board will therefore initiate a recruitment process to appoint a successor. Jan Hanses will serve as CEO until his successor takes office and has committed to ensuring a smooth transition to the new CEO in his role as senior advisor.
Source: Viking Line
All-time high operating results.
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Gotlandsbolaget has officially taken over the Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen route from DFDS, following a 400 million DKK acquisition, which includes two cruise ferries and more than 800 employees. This strategic investment aligns with Gotlandsbolaget’s expansion in passenger shipping, building on last year’s Birka Gotland acquisition.
CEO Håkan Johansson expressed pride in continuing the route’s legacy, emphasising the focus on enhancing the passenger experience. Planned upgrades will prioritise cabin improvements with a broader review of onboard facilities. While the route will initially operate under the DFDS brand, a new identity and brand launch is anticipated in the coming year.
Full story on Gotlandsbolaget
Last week, Stena held a joint ‘launch’ and ‘keel-laying’ ceremony at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Weihai, celebrating the release of STENA FUTURA into the water for the first time, and the laying of the keel for STENA CONNECTA, which marks the beginning of the build.
Once operational, the vessels will enhance freight capacity by 40% on the Belfast-Heysham route in response to an increase in customer demand for services between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
The two NewMax hybrid vessels will play a key role in Stena Line’s journey to sustainable fuel as they will both be able to operate on methanol fuel.
They will also be enhanced with built in technologies that will be able to utilise both battery propulsion and shore power, when available.
Stena Line is working closely with methanol suppliers, ensuring future volumes of e-methanol and fulfilling their strategic ambition of shifting to renewable fuels and cutting 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030.
Source: Stena Line
A recent ruling by the administrative court in Bastia rejected Corsica Ferries’ request to annul the 2019 maritime service delegation agreements between the Collectivity of Corsica and Corsica Linea.
The court found Corsica Ferries’ offer to be incomplete, which disqualified it from contesting the validity of Corsica Linea’s offer.
Additionally, Corsica Ferries argued that these agreements violated European law, claiming no legitimate public service need existed.
The court disagreed, confirming a genuine need for public maritime transport services for both freight and passengers between Corsica and the mainland.
Photo: Jean-Pierre Fabre
An amendment proposed by MP Michel Castellani has been approved by the French Finance Committee. This amendment aims to increase territorial continuity funding for Corsica, which would help support essential services, infrastructure, and accessibility on the island, enhancing connections between Corsica and mainland France. This funding adjustment of 50 MEUR is seen as a step forward in recognising Corsica’s unique logistical challenges due to its geographical isolation.
This is good news for Corsica Linea and La Méridionale.
In summer 2024, CMA-CGM-owned La Méridionale played a key role in Corsican tourism, transporting 132,000 passengers—a notable increase of 31,000 compared to 2023. Alongside passenger services, the company handled 188 km of freight, reinforcing both regional continuity and economic vitality.
Source: La Méridionale on Linkedin
Guernsey has selected Brittany Ferries / Condor Ferries as its preferred operator for vital sea routes over the next 15 years, ensuring continued connectivity. Meanwhile, Jersey’s government has not yet finalised its choice for a company to manage its own service routes.
DFDS was involved in the tender process, as well as Irish Ferries. The first sent a few ships to test the berths, the latter withdrew.
Viking Line recycles nearly all waste from its vessels, with coffee grounds and cooking oil collected for reuse. Coffee grounds, collected from five vessels, are repurposed for garden soil, reducing the need for peat by 30%. Cooking oil is converted into hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a diesel alternative. In 2023, Viking Line recycled 1,475 tonnes of food waste, generating enough biogas to power 800 apartments annually. Ongoing efforts include a food waste project to analyse and reduce surplus, highlighting Viking Line’s commitment to sustainability.
Source: Viking Line
The newly built SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV will be temporarily stored at a Scottish shipyard while the Tasmanian government considers leasing options until its home berth is ready. The ferry must leave its Finnish shipyard before winter ice sets in. The duration of its stay in Scotland is uncertain, and a second ferry, the SPIRIT OF TASMANIA V, will remain in Finland for now. Both ferries, already delayed, are not expected to enter full service in Tasmania until 2027.
Speculation suggests that TT-Line, the ferry’s owner, might lease or charter SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV during the delay in Tasmania, pending the completion of berth construction in Devonport. This was suggested by Tasmania’s premier, Jeremy Rockliff.
SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV has been built by Rauma Marine Constructions Oy and handed over to the owners in September. The second vessel will be ready in 2025.
Photo: Spirit of Tasmania
