Interislander signs binding contract for game-changing Cook Strait ferries

The contract price for the two newbuilds is NZD 551 million or USD 369 million. © KiwiRail

Following a lengthy procurement process, KiwiRail-controlled ferry operator Interislander has now officially signed a binding contract with South Korean builders Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for the construction of two large rail-enabled ro-pax ferries which are due for delivery in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

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Pentland Ferries turns down charter of PENTALINA to Caledonian MacBrayne

No CalMac charter of Pentland Ferries' PENTALINA. © Frank Lose

In something of a surprise decision, family-owned Scottish ferry operator Pentland Ferries has turned down the time charter of its catamaran ro-pax PENTALINA to Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) to help alleviate vessel shortages on its services to the western isles, particularly Arran and Mull.

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PRIDE OF BURGUNDY re-introduced on Dover-Calais

Following overhaul, PRIDE OF BURGUNDY has been re-introduced on the 90-minute Dover-Calais route. © Maritime Photographic

P&O Ferries has added a fifth ro-pax ferry on its key Dover-Calais route following the re-introduction of the 1993-built PRIDE OF BURGUNDY which will operate in freight-only mode alongside SPIRIT OF BRITAIN, SPIRIT OF FRANCE, PRIDE OF KENT, and PRIDE OF CANTERBURY.

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VARD hands over HANSEATIC SPIRIT to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

VARD has delivered the third and last five-star expedition cruise ship to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. © VARD

Norwegian VARD has officially delivered HANSEATIC SPIRIT, the third and last five-star expedition cruise ship built on behalf of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

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Summer charter stints for Tallink Grupp’s VICTORIA I and ROMANTIKA

VICTORIA I left Tallinn for Tangier Med earlier today, 28 June. © Uwe Jakob

As Morocco has shut out Spain from the 2021 Operación Paso del Estrecho (OPE), alternative routes bypassing Spain will be operated this summer with Tallink Grupp chartering out its sister ships VICTORIA I and ROMANTIKA to Tanger MED Port Authority, a Moroccan company with a state participation.

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Press Releases

These press release news are published “as is”, i.e. this is how we get it from the senders. If you want to have your relevant news published, please send it to news@shippax.se

FRS Iberia adds a new state-of-the-art fast ferry to its fleet

The FRS Iberia shipping company has recently acquired a fast ferry with the most up-to-date design and optimized consumption, which will be renamed as LEVANTE JET and forms part of the FRS Group's expansion strategy. This new addition is an 85-metre length fast catamaran, with an aluminium hull, constructed in 2015 in Australia – more specifically in the Incat shipyard in Tasmania (Yard No: 068), capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 knots.

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ABB technology enables world’s largest civilian hospital ship to access even the most challenging harbors

GLOBAL MERCY Photo Stena RoRo

ABB’s Azipod® propulsion will help GLOBAL MERCY™ enter less accessible harbors off the African coast, while reducing vibrations and noise – crucial to the comfort of up to 200 patients and medical personnel on board.

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MSC Cruises begins construction of MSC EURIBIA, its most environmentally advanced vessel yet

Sister ship MSC VIRTUOSA, delivered in February this year © MSC Cruises

The first steel was cut at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire, France marking the official start of construction of MSC Cruises’ most environmentally advanced ship to-date, and her name was also revealed. Set to come into service in June 2023, MSC EURIBIA will become the 22nd vessel in the MSC Cruises’ fleet and the second to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest marine fuel available at scale today. As every ship that joins MSC Cruises’ fleet, she will be equipped with some of the latest and most advanced technologies and solutions to minimise her environmental impact. The beginning of construction of MSC EURIBIA effectively marks another milestone in the Company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

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The world's largest expedition yacht with ice class: CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR named in Stralsund

CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR render © Crystal Cruises

CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR, the first luxury expedition yacht with ice class built in Germany, was named at MV WERFTEN in Stralsund on 26 June 2021. The naming ceremony, duly complying with the strictest hygienic and safety regulations, took place in the best weather on the ship’s helicopter deck. Guests included Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Economics Minister Harry Glawe, Genting Hong Kong’s Group President Colin Au and MV-WERFTEN Managing Directors Peter Fetten and Carsten J. Haake. The event was viewed by several thousand people all over the world via livestream on YouTube and Facebook.

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ForSea appoints Ticknovate to manage online bookings and self-service ticket kiosks

ForSea Ferries has appointed ticketing platform Ticknovate (www.ticknovate.com) , to manage its online booking and ticketing process, including sales made through its self-service kiosks. Ticknovate will help digitalise ForSea’s sales operations to improve the customer experience using its personalised and intuitive platform.

DFDS partners with primeRail to improve efficiency of customer solutions

DFDS Mediterranean Business Unit is investing more in intermodal transport solutions that combine ferry and rail transport. Around 50% of all freight volumes passing through DFDS’ Trieste terminal is already today transported by rail to destinations in Europe

WFW advices Viking Line on MEGA REGINA bareboat hire/purchase agreement

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has advised Finnish shipping company Viking Line Abp (“Viking Line”) on the negotiation of a bareboat hire/purchase agreement relating to the vessel MARIELLA, now renamed MEGA REGINA, with France’s Corsica Ferries S.A.S. (“Corsica Ferries”) and the subsequent nomination of Forship S.p.A. as disponent owner of the vessel.

UK Chamber of Shipping announces new Chief Executive

The UK Chamber of Shipping is delighted to confirm Sarah Treseder as its next Chief Executive, replacing Bob Sanguinetti.
Sarah, who is currently Chief Executive of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), will bring a wealth of experience to the role and is due to take up her position in October 2021.

Princess Cruises Cancels Australia Cruise Holidays Through December 19, 2021

Due to continued uncertainty regarding the timing for the resumption of cruise holidays in the region, Princess is cancelling cruises in and out of Australia through December 19, 2021.

P&O Cruises Australia Extends Cruising Pause Until Mid-December

P&O Cruises Australia extended its pause in cruise operations by a further three months until 17 December, 2021 because of ongoing uncertainty around a pathway to resume Australia-only cruising.

Danish-Italian cooperation to enter the Nordic market for exhaust emission reduction

The Danish company Silentor A/S is appointed exclusive sales partner in the Nordic countries for CatEMission, a Joint venture company with Ecospray Technologies group.

Wärtsilä signs second renewal of Maintenance Agreement with Rederi Ab Eckerö

The technology group Wärtsilä has renewed for the second time its Optimised Maintenance agreement with the Åland Islands based shipping group Rederi Ab Eckerö. Under the terms of this latest 5-year agreement, Wärtsilä will be responsible for maintenance of the main and auxiliary engines in six vessels within the customer’s fleet. Annual performance audits aimed at ensuring optimal operating efficiency will also be carried out. The agreement was signed in May 2021.

Ports moving together to reduce ship emissions at berth

Northern Range ports are stepping up their efforts in the transition to a greener, climate-friendly future.
Ports in the vicinity of inhabited areas and cities face similar environmental problems regarding air quality and noise pollution. As a means of addressing these problems and in a manner that complies with current climate objectives the ports of Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, Haropa Port and Rotterdam decided to join forces to tackle these environmental and climate challenges. The CEOs of these ports are announcing a Memorandum of Understanding that will set out their common commitments with regard to Onshore Power Supply (OPS).

Stena Line’s new modern ferry STENA SCANDICA has arrived in Ventspils, Latvia

Swedish ferry company Stena Line is strengthening its position and expanding services in the Baltic Sea Region, by deploying two new large and modern ferries on the route between Ventspils in Latvia and Nynäshamn in Sweden this year. The first of the two vessels, STENA SCANDICA, has entered Ventspils port on Tuesday 29 June to get ready for its maiden voyage on the route within short. The vessel adds another 70 % cabin capacity compared to the existing vessels, as well increase freight capacity by almost one third.

BRS, Deltamarin and Bureau Veritas join forces to provide future emissions and performance toolbox

Three global players, the shipbroker Barry Rogliano Salles (BRS); Deltamarin, the ship designers and engineers; and Bureau Veritas, a world leader in ship classification, have agreed to cooperate to provide effective ship performance and energy transition solutions for the world’s shipowners.