The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has cancelled the approval of the Fehmarn connection’s financing model, which was forced through by the EU Commission in 2015. Without an approved financing model for the Fehmarn tunnel, the project has practically come to a stop.
Scandlines’ KRONPRINS FREDERIK visited Rostock on Friday 30 November for berthing trials. A berth has been modified to allow her to be used again on the route, if required.
Scandlines currently uses this Gedser – Rostock veteran as an additional cargo ferry on Puttgarden – Rødby route. In 2017 she has slightly been rebuilt to fit the dock in Puttgarden. The test was to make sure she can be used on the Rostock route, if needed.
Continued Progress In Freight Traffic For Scandlines Helsingborg-Helsingör
Freight traffic volumes continued to grow in Q3 on Scandlines Helsingborg-Helsingör, which accounted for the largest share of growth in freight traffic on Öresund this quarter as well.
While the number of transported passengers and cars declined, due to the unusually warm summer among other things, the ferries’ precision and capacity utilisation remained high.
HH Ferries Group has completed the last adjustments of the charging and battery installations, allowing AURORA and TYCHO BRAHE to be officially inaugurated as the world’s largest battery-powered passenger ferries at an event on 9 November.
Scandlines Helsingborg-Helsingør continued the positive development and generated strong growth in the number of transported trucks in Q2, which entailed an increase in the route’s market share of the freight traffic on Öresund. In May, the number of trucks that chose to cross the Sound between
Helsingborg and Helsingør exceeded the number of trucks choosing the fixed connection between Malmö and Copenhagen for the first time.
+ Freight units 121,000 (109,000)
+ Cars 352,000 (372,000)
– Passengers 1.89 million (1.94 million).
Scandlines’ BERLIN, operating with sister vessel COPENHAGEN on the Gedser-Rostock route, had to be taken out of service to solve technical issues with the thruster. Unusual noises had been heard.
BERLIN was sent to the Fayard drydock in Odense. A spare thruster was delivered immediately from the Rolls Royce warehouse in Norway.
The subsequent investigation confirmed that the replaced thruster was damaged, and that these were actually the cause of the abnormal noises.
She was out of service from 16 to 19 July, missing a few dozens of crossings in one of the busiest periods of the year.
Photo: Siemens/ Ulrich WIrrwa
E-Dea, the Italian IT provider of integrated software solutions for Ferry Companies, Ports and Terminals, has provided Scandlines with their flagship product, eBooking©, as part of the centralized and integrated passenger Reservation System.
The fully integrated reservation system supports Scandlines core processes including scheduling, products configuration, pricelist configuration, special offers, packages, etc. Thanks to its straightforward design, the system allows Scandlines to properly manage special offers and flexible prices to maximize seasonable revenue.
Also BC Ferries has chosen E-Dea, to have a key role in the implementation of the ACE (Automated Customer Experience) program. The core component of the ACE program is the streamlining of Booking, Ticketing and Check-in services.
Scandlines Generated Record Performance In 2017 Based On Expanded Capacity
Scandlines increased revenue and boosted profitability in 2017 in line with the expectations for the year as the group’s expanded capacity on the Rostock-Gedser route was leveraged and investments dampened following a substantial strengthening of fleet and infrastructure in prior years.
Total revenue grew by 4% to EUR 487 million (EUR 480 million) driven mainly by the continued positive development on the Rostock-Gedser route.
Traffic machine revenue from both routes grew by 6% to EUR 352 million (EUR 333 million) on the back of expanded capacity, intensified marketing efforts and particularly strong performance in the freight segment, which recorded 12% growth in traffic volume.
BorderShop revenue was stable at EUR 135 million (EUR 137 million).
Scandlines’ ferries completed more than 42,000 departures and transported a total of 7.6 million passengers, 1.8 million cars and more than 0.6 million freight units in 2017.
Talking about a good deal: 3i announced net proceeds of €347 million from selling a part of Scandlines, but remains one of the co-owners.
3i Group plc announced that 3i and funds managed by 3i (together Eurofund V) have sold their investment in Scandlines for a total equity value of €1.7 billion in a transaction with funds managed by First State Investments (“First State”) and Hermes Investment Management, two long-term infrastructure investors representing predominantly European pension funds.
The new consortium formed by First State, Hermes Investment Management and 3i intend to support the further growth of Scandlines, including additional investment in green technology.
Hurtigruten AS is owned by Silk Bidco AS, whose main shareholder is the London-based investment company TDR Capital.
Photo: Scandlines
The Scandlines hybrid ferry PRINSESSE BENEDIKTE uses engine waste heat to cool down the batteries. Behind the innovative system is the start-up company Cool4Sea, which used the ferry as a test lab, with the support of the EU.
The particularity of the system is that it tolerates inclinations of up to 45°, ideal for maritime use. Normally the process should not be subject to movement and vibration.
The advantage is obvious: waste heat means no fuel has to be used for air conditioning, thus saving money.
Cool4Sea expects to have the system available on the market as from 2020.[/vc_columnScandlines, hybrid_text]
Photo: Scandlines/Jukka Huotari
The increasing cargo traffic entailed higher capacity utilisation on the route’s ferries despite a minor decline in the number of cars. Capacity was increased by expanding the timetable of HAMLET by 5 hours per day since December 1, 2017.
Some figures:
”Our freight customers appreciate the precision and reliability we offer, and they have welcomed the increased flexibility brought about by our capacity expansion and more daily departures,” said Johan Röstin, CEO of HH Ferries AB.
Photo: HH Ferries