Tag: 2025 | Page 3 | Ferry Shipping News

On 15 June 2025, EL. VENIZELOS departed from Greece for Algiers. She was chartered last month on a long-term bareboat basis by Algérie Ferries for the Algiers–Alicante and Oran–Alicante routes. She arrived in Algiers on 18 June.

Her last sailing on the Piraeus–Chania route took place on 24 May.

Photo: Algérie Ferries

It is reported that HSC TERA JET 2 (ex Natchan Rera), operated by Seajets, will be deployed on the Cyclades route from Piraeus starting 27 June 2025.

The vessel is currently undergoing sea trials and final technical work before entering service.

She was purchased in March 2024 and was originally built in Australia in 2007.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Brand new SOUTH ENABLER has been welcomed by a “FiFi Show” (fire fighting) at arrival in Zeebrugge on Monday 16 June. The modern RoRo came straight from Italy, where it has been built by Visentini. She loaded for the first time for Wallenius SOL, who charter the vessel for five years.

Photo: Mike Louagie

SOUTH ENABLER (left) replaces ML FREYJA (right). The latter left the fleet of Wallenius SOL in Tilbury on Wednesday 18 June. She is on her way to Algeciras (unknown operator).

Photo: Mike Louagie

DFDS has acquired COMMODORE GOODWILL, which will operate freight services between Jersey, Portsmouth and St Malo.

The ship is being renamed CAESAREA TRADER, a nod to Jersey’s Latin name, Caesarea.

She will eventually replace the ARROW, currently chartered by DFDS for freight operations.

Photo: Mike Louagie

On 19 May 2025, ANEK Lines’ RoPax KRITI I (built in 1979) departed under tow for Aliaga, Turkey, marking the end of her 28-year service in Greece. She was sold for scrap in March 2025 after being laid up in Elefsis Bay since 7 October 2024.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries’ acquisition (ex STENA) LIVIA has left drydock in Denmark to make her way home (New Zealand). There will be a couple of stops in Europe and the UK before heading to Wellington via the Panama Canal. Her estimated arrival date is 1 July.

Photo: Bluebridge

Africa Morocco Link is set to charter the RoPax AF CLAUDIA for the Operación Paso del Estrecho (OPE) 2025, operating between Tangier Med and Algeciras.

The vessel is currently in service on the Venice–Igoumenitsa–Patras route for Attica Group.

SPIRIT OF TASMANIA V returned from her second sea trial during last weekend. Rauma Marine Constructions expects to deliver her soon.

Photo: RMC

On 20 May 2025, CORSICA linea became the first ferry operator to connect to the new shore power system at the Port of Sète. The DANIELLE CASANOVA was successfully plugged in, marking a major step toward “zero-emission” calls.

Photo: Port de Sète

CLdN unveiled one of their H5 vessels, SERAPHINE, at Liverpool Cruise Port on 15th May. The RoRo is part of CLdN’s advanced fleet of larger vessels designed to carry more cargo while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

Photo: Scott Mackey

The contract for two new vessels for Western Ferries’ Gourock to Dunoon route was formally signed at a ceremony at APCL Cammell Laird’s facility in Birkenhead between Western Ferries’ MD Gordon Ross and APCL Group Chief Technology Officer Linton Roberts on 6th May 2025.

They were joined by Graeme Fletcher, Technical Director, Alistair McLundie, Operations Director, Samantha Proctor, Finance Director and James Harris from Western Ferries and APCL Group CEO David McGinley along with Mike Hill, Managing Director of APCL Cammell Laird.

Facebook Group Irish Ferries Enthusiasts (George Holland)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/568009444784794/

Bornholmslinjen’s HAMMERSHUS will undergo her mandatory drydocking from 8 to 21 May 2025. To maintain freight service on the Rønne–Køge route, DFDS’ PATRIA SEAWAYS will be chartered as a replacement.

Scandlines’ new emission-free ferry has successfully completed its first test voyage in the Sea of Marmara, including Sea Acceptance Tests under the supervision of Lloyd’s Register.

The vessel’s batteries, electrical systems, and propulsion were all put to the test during ten days at sea. Now back at the outfitting quay, final verifications are underway ahead of delivery.

The former P&O Ferries vessel NORBANK has been renamed DP WORLD EXPRESS and is now registered under the flag of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The vessel is expected to begin operating soon on a route between Dubai and Iran.

Sister vessel NORBAY is still operating on the Zeebrugge-Teesport service.

Interislander’s rail-enabled ferry, ARATERE (1998), will be retired to make way for the port re-development needed in Picton to prepare for the two brand-new ferries arriving in 2029, KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy says.  

Read more: https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/media/aratere-to-retire-as-new-zealands-new-ferries-project-gets-underway/

ROSALIND FRANKLIN, former BRETAGNE, started its service for Baleària on May 7th, connecting the ports of Nador and Almería. She is replacing the CIUDAD DE MAHÓN which will move to the Motril-Tangier Med port.

Incat Hull 096 – the world’s largest battery-electric ship – was officially launched at the Incat shipyard in Hobart.

Constructed for South American ferry operator Buquebus, Hull 096 is the most significant vessel ever built by Incat and represents a giant leap forward in sustainable shipping. When it enters service between Buenos Aires and Uruguay, it will operate entirely on battery-electric power, carrying up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles across the River Plate.

In April, Mann Lines’ ML FREYJA has been integrated in the Wallenius SOL network. She is seen here in Zeebrugge.

Baleària has successfully completed the first docking trials of the high-speed ferry AVEMAR DOS in the port of Tarifa. The 82-metre catamaran, capable of carrying up to 900 passengers and reaching speeds of 34 knots, is set to begin operations on the Tarifa–Tangier Ville route in early May.

The initial schedule includes four daily crossings in each direction, with frequency expected to increase over the summer season—offering departures from early morning until late evening.

Last week, the company also carried out operational trials in the port of Tangier Ville in preparation for the launch.

Cemre Shipyard proudly marks a new milestone with the delivery of NB1091 HINNØY, Norway’s largest zero-emission ferry, now en route to her new home in the north. Built for Torghatten Nord and designed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company, this innovative double-ended ferry is set to operate on the Bognes–Lødingen route, offering a record-breaking one-hour crossing powered entirely by electricity.

HINNØY features an advanced battery-electric propulsion system, supported by shore charging infrastructure, and is equipped with two separate propulsion configurations—ensuring both high flexibility and reliability in even the most demanding Arctic conditions.

Classed by DNV and flying the Norwegian flag, she can carry up to 399 passengers and 120 cars, combining energy efficiency with passenger comfort and operational safety.

HAWAIKINUI 2, under construction for the Société de Navigation Polynésienne – SNP, is out at sea for trials. The photo shows the vessel leaving the Royal Bodewes Shipyard in Hoogezand, the Netherlands, under tow.

Once delivered, the cargo-ferry will operate in the Îles Sous-le-Vent, or Leeward Islands. They are a group of islands in the Society Islands archipelago of French Polynesia, located in the South Pacific. They lie to the west of the Windward Islands (which include Tahiti) and are known for their stunning lagoons, lush mountains, and traditional Polynesian culture.

Vessel type: RoRo

Passengers: 12

LOA: 86.98m

Capacity: 2,000 DWT

Propulsion: 1 x CPP shaft line

Service Speed: 12 knots

Route: Iles sous le Vent

Photos courtesy Mark Prummel. More of his photos: https://markprummel.nl/ship/hawaikinui-ii-1015612/

Baleària will begin operating the Tarifa-Tangier Ville route in the second week of May. The shipping company, which will launch tickets next week, will initially operate four daily services from each port, with departures gradually increasing as the summer season progresses, from early morning until late evening. Last December, Baleària was awarded this new route, which expands its presence in the Strait of Gibraltar and represents its fourth service between Spain and Morocco.