Ferry Shipping News was present at the first Motorways of the Sea Forum in Brussels, on the longest day of the year (21 June).
A round table meeting held in Brussels on Wednesday 28 focused on the possibility of expanding the Baltic-Adriatic transport corridor to also include Port of Ystad, connecting Scandinavia to the continent. The Baltic-Adriatic transport corridor is one of the most important trans-European road and railway axes and currently stretches from northern Italy via Bratislava and Vienna to Poland and the Szczecin-Świnoujście port.
Port of Ystad once again celebrated another year of record numbers in 2017, with significant increases in traffic on both routes; Ystad – Świnoujście and Ystad – Rønne.
In the finishing panel discussion, the European Commission representatives stated that Port of Ystad is a likely candidate for becoming a Core harbor, thus becoming part of the transport corridor.
Photo: Danish MEP Jeppe Kofoed (standing) at the round table meeting concerning Port of Ystad.
Grimaldi Group’s boss Emanuele Grimaldi says the acquisition of 50.3% of Hellenic Seaways (HSW) by Attica Group, is against the European competition rules. A complaint will be filed to the ‘Directorate General Competition’ of the European Commission.
Grimaldi Group, already owning 48.53% of HSW was hoping to become the majority shareholder. Until Attica made an agreement with Piraeus Bank (40.5%) and some smaller shareholders, in August. With this acquisition Attica, already operating Blue Star Ferries and Superfast Ferries, is doubling its fleet. Grimaldi, who also controls Minoan Lines (95%), sees this as a threat to fair competition.
