Sep 27
2

Thessaloniki Port Authority Reports Strong Financial Growth in First Half of 2024

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Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A. (ThPA S.A.) has announced a significant increase in its financial results for the first half of 2024. The Group’s consolidated revenue grew by 17.3%, reaching €48.4 million, compared to €41.2 million during the same period in 2023. Key business units showed notable growth, with the container terminal’s revenue rising by 16.7% to €34.3 million, and the conventional cargo terminal by 20.7% to €10.9 million. The real estate sector and passenger traffic experienced increases of 11.0% and 108.5%, respectively. 

Profitability has also seen a substantial rise, with gross profits up by 29.2% to €22.4 million, EBITDA increasing by 37.6% to €20.8 million, and net profits after taxes soaring by 62.3% to €13.6 million.  

 Capital expenditures for the first half stood at €2.8 million, with more investment planned for the second half of the year to upgrade port infrastructure and equipment. 

 ThPA’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Athanasios Liagkos, highlighted the company’s strong performance and commitment to enhancing the port’s role in international trade and connectivity. 

 For more details, visit ThPA. 

Sep 27
2

More Veterans to Leave the Moby Fleet

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A few days after the sale of the 1978-built MOBY CORSE, the Onorato-controlled ferry company is reportedly selling the 55-year-old MOBY ALE, according to market rumours. The buyer is very likely to be a ship scrapper. 

Built by the Aalborg shipyard under the name MIKKEL MOLS for Mols Linien, this ferry was purchased by Moby Lines in 1996, entering service on the Piombino–Portoferraio route. 

Following the sale of the MOBY CORSE and the MOBY ALE, the seasoned small ferry BASTIA is being negotiated and has been repainted completely white. 

Sep 27
3

A New RoRo Ship for Mann Lines Launched at Cantiere Navale Visentini

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Cantiere Navale Visentini has just launched a new RoRo ship (hull number C.236) in Porto Viro, which is set to be on a long-term charter with Mann Lines. The delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025. 

 This vessel is a sister ship (albeit longer) to the ML FREYJA, which was built by the same shipyard and delivered to Mann Lines in 2017. 

 The technical specifications are as follows: a garage capacity of 3,000 lane metres plus around 200 cars, an overall hull length of 203 metres, two Wärtsilä engines of 7,200 kW each, a speed of 22 knots, RINA class, Ice Class 1A, and methanol-ready. 

Sep 27
1

IMAGE CARDS

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China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) has successfully completed sea trials for SAINT-MALO, the new E-Flexer RoPax commissioned by Stena RoRo and set to be operated by Brittany Ferries as from February 2025 between Saint-Malo and Portsmouth. 

She will replace the BRETAGNE. 

The Spanish company Repsol has begun supplying liquefied biomethane (bioLNG) to Brittany Ferries’ SALAMANCA and SANTOÑA vessels, which are powered by LNG, with a test delivery of 60 tonnes in Santander. The use of bioLNG can reduce CO2-equivalent emissions by nearly 100% compared to conventional LNG, without requiring any engine modifications or affecting ship performance. This bioLNG, produced from waste from agro-food industries, agriculture, households, and sewage sludge, comes from Spain’s first bioLNG plant in As Somozas, Galicia. 

Source: Brittany Ferries 

The electric ferry AURORA is undergoing a complete transformation while at the Landskrona shipyard, including a repaint, the addition of the Öresundslinjen logo, and a full renovation of all passenger areas. Technical systems are also being updated, with the ferry set to resume its Helsingborg-Helsingør route on 2 October 2024.  

Kristian Durhuus, CEO of Molslinjen, anticipates welcoming guests aboard the “new” ferry, particularly to the restaurant, Opus Wine & Dine, offering à la carte dishes and a carefully curated wine list, following the success of TYCHO BRAHe’s revamped dining experience earlier this year. 

Source: Via Ritzau / Molslinjen 

As of 1 November 2024, Anders Tenfält will be Stena Line’s new Chief Investment Officer of Stena Line portfolio companies and part of the group management team. 

In his new role at Stena Line, he will lead the development of Stena Line’s portfolio companies (Stena Line Travel Group, Sembo, R&F Travel Retail, Baltreiss Agency, Best Travel, Voigt Travel, CustomsLink, Freightlink and Anglesey Freeport).   

Source: Stena Line 

RoPax GOTHICA, former STENA GOTHICA, actually in the Port of Klaipeda, is being rebranded. We were told that the vessel got the logo of UKR Ferry on its funnel.  

Polferries’ RoPax CRACOVIA is finally on its way to Algeria, where she will be used by the new company, Nouris Elbahr Ferries. 

Sep 20
2

BC Ferries will order five large, green ferries

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BC Ferries is advancing its New Major Vessels project, the largest capital investment in the company’s history, to address population growth, replace aging vessels, and meet customer demands. 

 The procurement process for the first five of seven new vessels is underway, with the remaining two to follow in a later phase.  

The new vessels, designed with LMG Marin, will significantly increase capacity and improve energy efficiency.  

A phased approach will allow BC Ferries to manage investments carefully, minimize fare pressures, and refine the final designs based on performance insights.  

 The first ship is expected to enter service in 2029, with all five operational by 2031. 

 Press release: BC Ferries 

Sep 20
2

CLdN says it leads the way in short sea shipping with superior CO2 efficiency

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CLdN has published its fleet emission data for 2023, showcasing remarkable advancements in carbon efficiency. The company says its fleet emissions averaged 39g CO2 per tonne-kilometre, “making it 19% more efficient than its closest competitor in short sea shipping.” (which is DFDS, according to the press release). 

 Through strategic investments exceeding €750 million over the past decade, CLdN has expanded its fleet to over 30 technologically advanced vessels. With an average ship age of 11.5 years, much younger than the industry average of 16.5 years, CLdN continues to set the bar for carbon-efficient maritime operations.  

 The company has also focused on eco-upgrades to existing vessels, underscoring its commitment to sustainability. 

 CLdN is preparing to launch two new ships in 2025, which are expected to reduce CO2 emission intensity by a further 40% while maintaining the same cargo capacity. 

 For more details, CLdN will soon release its 2023 Carbon Report. 

 Source: CLdN 

Sep 20
2

Grimaldi Group completes the acquisition of a majority stake in Port of Heraklion

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On 18 September 2024, the Grimaldi Group finalised its acquisition of a 67% stake in the Heraklion Port Authority (HPA S.A.), solidifying its presence in the strategic port located in Crete. This acquisition, worth €80 million, was completed in partnership with the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF), which retains a 33% share. 

 The acquisition marks a significant development for the port, providing a platform for further growth and enhancing its role in Mediterranean trade routes. Grimaldi Group’s investment will focus on upgrading the port’s infrastructure, fostering sustainable growth, and introducing renewable energy projects to transform Heraklion into a green port. 

 Grimaldi Euromed’s President, Emanuele Grimaldi, highlighted the port’s potential as a hub for both freight and passenger services, contributing to the local economy by increasing tourism, trade, and job opportunities.  

 This acquisition follows Grimaldi’s prior investment in the Port of Igoumenitsa, reinforcing the group’s commitment to enhancing Greece’s maritime infrastructure.

Sep 20
2

Corsican Ports: Monthly statistics July

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July is traditionally a busy month for the ferry passenger traffic from and to Corsica. Only August is even busier. July 2024 saw a slight increase of 0.4% of ferry passengers on last year’s July. Airlines saw a decline of almost 9%. 

More passengers, but less cars. 

 Ferry Pax: 735,188 (+0.4%) 

Airline Pax: 651,282 (-9%) 

Cars: 239,184 (-1.2%) 

 All details here: www.corse.developpement-durable.gouv.fr (in French) 

Sep 20
2

Two modern catamarans purchased by Jadrolinija

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Just a few weeks after the tragedy in Mali Lošinj, where three seafarers aboard the LASTOVO ferry lost their lives, Croatian shipping company Jadrolinija is launching an immediate plan to renew its fleet, which has an average age of 28 years. 

The Italian newspaper Il Piccolo reported that the shipping company’s general manager, David Sopta, revealed that two catamarans, built in 2023, have just been purchased for 11.4 million euros and will be added to the fleet from November. 

Constructed last year at Indonesia’s Cahaya Samudra Shipyard, the two fast ferries are 38 metres long, 10 metres wide, powered by 2,880-kilowatt engines, and capable of carrying up to 312 passengers each. 

The vessels, intended to be renamed CVIJETA and RUŽICA, are similar to the KATA and DANICA catamarans purchased by Jadrolinija in 2023, which were built at the same Indonesian shipyard. 

These acquisitions should allow the Croatian company to retire older vessels, such as the DUBRAVKA catamaran (photo Mike Louagie). 

Sep 20
3

MOBY CORSE sold and expected to be deployed on the Spain – Algeria routes

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Moby is advancing its fleet renovation plan with the sale of the ageing RoPax ferry MOBY CORSE. Sources familiar with the matter told Ferry Shipping News that the Onorato family-controlled company has recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the sale of the 1978-built vessel to a company with Croatian interests. 

The vessel is expected to be chartered out to a third company, with Nouris Elbahr Ferries possibly being the party involved, for deployment on a regular route between Spain and Algeria. (=unconfirmed!) 

The sale price is believed to be under €8 million. 

Built by the Danish shipyard Aalborg and delivered in 1978, the MOBY CORSE was purchased by Vincenzo Onorato in 2009 for approximately €7 million, to penetrate the Corsican market on the Toulon-Bastia route. The ferry is 153 metres long and has the capacity to carry 400 cars and 1,120 passengers.