Ferry Shipping News was present at the first Motorways of the Sea Forum in Brussels, on the longest day of the year (21 June).

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.