Oct 25
2

RoPax LAMPEDUSA Sold by Siremar (Caronte & Tourist)

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The Sicilian ferry company Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori has just sold the 51-year-old ferry LAMPEDUSA, as confirmed by CEO Lorenzo Matacena to Ferry Shipping News. The ship had already been replaced on the routes operated by Siremar with the ferry Las Palmas, purchased last spring from Trasmediterranea.

LAMPEDUSA has been acquired by a Turkish operator and will continue in service, thus avoiding a dismantling yard.

Built in Italy by Cantiere Navale Orlando, the ferry has a gross tonnage of over 9,000 tonnes, a length of 125 metres, a width of 18 metres, a speed of 15 knots, and a cargo capacity of around 200 cars and 800 passengers. In April 2015, LAMPEDUSA was sold to Traghetti delle Isole, which was taken over by Caronte & Tourist in 2020.

Oct 25
2

ARIES to Leave GNV’s Fleet and Bound for Scrap in Turkey

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Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed to Ferry Shipping News that GNV ARIES is now en route to the port of Piraeus and will subsequently reach a dismantling yard in Turkey, after being sold for scrap by Grandi Navi Veloci.

The Genoa-based, MSC-controlled company has recently taken delivery of the newly built GNV Polaris and, on that occasion, confirmed that it will progressively retire older and underperforming vessels.

GNV Aries was built in 1987 and was purchased by MSC Group as Pride of York from P&O Ferries in 2021. It could accommodate up to 850 passengers and had 2,250 lane metres of space for rolling cargo and cars in its garage. The sale price has not been disclosed.

Oct 25
2

In the Media

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“The Transport Network Must Be Developed Across Europe”

Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), expressed concern over the EU Commission’s potential restructuring of its budget framework, which could shift EU funding control to individual member states. She fears this could undermine a European approach to transport policy, as countries might prioritise local projects, like roads, over critical cross-border infrastructure, such as ports or rail connections.

Despite the EU’s existing guidelines for the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), Ryckbost stresses that coordinated European investment is essential for an integrated transport network, ensuring optimal connections that serve the entire EU, not just individual countries.

While she acknowledges the need to streamline EU programmes, she highlights the importance of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which funds key infrastructure projects. Ryckbost believes this targeted approach must continue to ensure the development of essential transport links, like hinterland connections for major ports, which benefit all of Europe.

Source: DVZ

Oct 25
2

ESPO’s Environmental Report 2024: Climate change more than ever a priority for Europe’s ports

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One of the main features of this report remains the Top 10 of environmental priorities, a list which sheds light on the environmental challenges faced by European ports. This ranking provides both ESPO and European policymakers with the critical insights needed to make well-informed decisions. For the third consecutive year, climate change maintains its position as the foremost environmental concern for European ports.

Apart from climate change, other key priorities in the sector shifted, with energy efficiency taking the second position and air quality moving to third, compared to the 2023 report.

Together, these three form a trio of critical environmental concerns for ports in the region.

Climate change adaptation is increasingly important, with 64% of ports reporting climate-related operational challenges, an increase from 47% last year. Additionally, 73% of ports are working to enhance the resilience of existing infrastructure, while 86% are integrating climate adaptation into new projects.

Notably, water-related port development has maintained its position from last year’s report, continuing to rank among the Top 10 priorities for the second consecutive year.

Click here to see the report

Oct 25
2

IN THE MEDIA: Summary of Tasmania’s Premier’s Announcement on the New Spirits Project

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Premier Jeremy Rockliff has posted an annoucement on his Facebook page.

It is about the fact that the terminal in Devonport will not be ready when the new “Spirit of Tasmania” ferries arrive from Finland.

  • An expert report on the necessary port infrastructure has been received, and the Premier has laid out the reasons for the government’s intervention.
  • The situation has caused significant frustration, but the focus is on moving forward rather than dwelling on past issues.
  • The government will prioritise the construction of permanent berthing infrastructure at Devonport Port.
  • Short-term solutions were considered but ultimately deemed unsuitable.
  • Worst-case scenario: the infrastructure may not be completed until February 2027, but efforts are being made to accelerate the timeline to October 2026, in time for the peak summer period.
  • Without government intervention, the project might have faced even further delays.
  • The first of the new Spirits is due to leave Finland shortly and head to Hobart for final fit-out.
  • Two world-leading infrastructure experts will now lead the project to ensure timely delivery.
  • During this time, the new Spirits will travel to Tasmania for final fit-out. TT-Line will seek leasing or chartering options for the vessels.
  • If no leasing options are found, the government will ensure TT-Line is not charged by TasPorts for storing the vessels in Tasmania.
  • The goal is to financially benefit Tasmania while avoiding further maintenance and storage costs.
  • The Premier expressed disappointment at the situation but emphasised the need for unity and resilience to move forward.
Oct 18
2

Nine New Ferries for the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea Soon to Be Ordered by Grimaldi

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At the XXVI Euromed Convention held in Athens, Greece, Grimaldi Group’s CEO, Emanuele Grimaldi, confirmed that by the end of 2024, an order is likely to be signed with a Chinese shipyard for nine new RoPax ships. This move aligns with the company’s strategy to modernise its fleet and support its sustainability goals by enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions.

Grimaldi specified that six ships will be for Grimaldi Euromed (four) and for Minoan Lines (two), ‘methanol ready’, with 3,300 lane metres, capacity for 2,500 passengers and 300 cars, along with 300 cabins.

The remaining three will be for Finnlines, biofuels/methanol ready, with 5,400 lane metres of garage space, capacity for 1,000 passengers, and 300 cabins.

As for their future deployments, the seasoned shipowner stated that the newbuildings for Finnlines (an evolution of the last two units delivered) will be introduced on the Travemünde-Helsinki route, while those for Minoan are expected to operate on the Piraeus-Heraklion link. The other four RoPax newbuildings for Grimaldi Euromed are likely to cover the Brindisi (or Ancona)-Igoumenitsa route in the Adriatic Sea, and the Livorno-Palermo or Naples-Palermo routes in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

It’s possible that two of these new ships will also serve routes to and from the Sardinia region.

The delivery date for the first units is expected in 2027.

Oct 18
2

Stena Line and Associated British Ports to progress new £200M ferry terminal in Immingham

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Stena Line and Associated British Ports (ABP), have announced their intention to proceed with a £200+ million joint investment in a new freight ferry terminal at the Port of Immingham following the granting of the Development Consent Order (DCO) planning application by the UK Government.

In a major step forward for the project, this approval means that construction can officially begin on the new RoRo ferry terminal. Following the approval, the project was featured this week at the UK Government’s showcase International Investment Summit.

In 2022, Stena Line and ABP signed an agreement which will see the ferry company operate the new terminal for the next 50 years. This long-term commitment will provide a boost to the North-East of England, where the unaccompanied freight market has been steadily growing.

Immingham is becoming a strategic hub for Stena Line, which currently runs two daily services from the Humber region to The Netherlands.

Stena, the group which owns Stena Line, also recently became the sole owner of transport and logistics business, NTEX, which has its UK headquarters in the port.

With customer demand continuing to grow for the company in the region, Stena Line requires additional capacity to expand its operations at Immingham. The new RoRo terminal is a long-term solution in a new location which provides access to the main Humber Estuary, allowing for quicker sailing times and the option to use larger vessels to cater for increased freight demand from exporters and importers from across the region and the rest of the UK

Oct 18
2

Royal Inauguration of the New Lock at Terneuzen

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On 11 October 2024, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Philippe of Belgium jointly inaugurated the New Lock in Terneuzen, marking a significant milestone for cross-border cooperation between the Netherlands and Belgium. This new sea lock, one of the largest in the world, will enhance maritime access between the North Sea and the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal, reducing waiting times for vessels and boosting economic activity in the Zeeland Flanders and Flanders regions.

The lock is expected to handle increasing traffic, with ship passages projected to grow from 56,000 in 2023 to 96,000 by 2040. The opening ceremony, held aboard the electric ship Z9, included interactions with representatives of companies using the lock, as well as a tour of the control centre where local residents and lock employees shared insights into its operations.

Photo: North Sea Port

Oct 18
2

Golden Star Ferries’ ANDROS KING Arrived in Greece

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On the afternoon of 11 October 2024, the latest acquisition of Golden Star Ferries, ANDROS KING (ex-VOLCAN DE TABURIENTE), arrived in Greece from Las Palmas. The ship was led to Neos Molos (Drapetsona) for further refit and conversion to meet the Hellenic Coastal Shipping Standards. She will enhance Golden Star Ferries’ presence within the Greek ferry scene.

Up to now, the Andros-based ferry company operates two conventional ferries (SUPERFERRY, ANDROS QUEEN) plus one high-speed craft (SUPER EXPRESS) on the classic Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos route. It is also the owner of the high-speed craft GOLDEN PRINCESS (ex-GOTLANDIA II), purchased from Gotland Rederi in 2023 but still inactive. ANDROS KING will be their third conventional vessel and one of the newest ferries within the Hellenic Coastal fleet. She was built in Spain in 2006. Her capacity is for 1,500 passengers and 310 cars (1,200 lane metres), and she can operate at 22.5 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos