Adriatic Fast Ferries signs LOI with REGENT for zero-emission seaglider

A full-electric, zero-emission Seaglider for Split Express could be reality in four years' time. © REGENT

About two months after French ferry operator Brittany Ferries announced its intention to introduce full-electric ‘seaglider’ passenger-only craft on the Western Channel, Adriatic Fast Ferries revealed to Shippax it had signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with US-based start-up Regional Electric Ground Effect Nautical Transport (REGENT) to design and build similar craft for the company’s Split Express service, linking Split Airport with the nearby archipelago.

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28 August maiden voyage for AURORA BOTNIA

AURORA BOTNIA © Rauma Marine Constructions

AURORA BOTNIA is now confirmed for delivery at the end of August, enabling Wasaline to perform the ship's maiden on 28 August with two departures from Vaasa (morning and afternoon), and one departure from Umeå (morning).

Inauguration of the vessel takes place in Vaasa on the 25th, streamed for everyone to take part of it.

During its maiden voyage, an archipelago buffet with a meal drink will be served. Bubbling drinks and a souvenir as well as a tour of the vessel are also promised.

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Financials

BC Ferries’ Q1 results show growth, but still well below pre-pandemic levels

BC Ferries released its Q1 results for the three months ended 30 June 2021. Revenues increased to CAD 229 million (CAD 137.4 million), much due to the CAD 308 million in Safe Restart Funding received in December 2020. Net earnings reached CAD 4.7 million (-CAD 62.0 million). 

Vehicle and passenger traffic increased 37% and 40% respectively, compared to the same period in the prior year. Compared to pre-pandemic levels in fiscal 2020 however, vehicle and passenger traffic was lower by 27% and 46% respectively.

DFDS improved significantly in Q2

Following the 2020 lockdowns, DFDS has picked up the pace and improved significantly. Revenues grew to DKK 4.2 billion in the quarter (DKK 2.8 million in Q2 2020), while EBITDA before special items ended at DKK 897 million (DKK 507 million). 

• Freight EBITDA up DKK 400 million
• Significant recovery from 2020 lockdowns
• EBITDA for Mediterranean route network improved DKK 191 million

OUTLOOK 2021

• EBITDA of DKK 3.2-3.6 billion
• Revenue growth of 20-25%
• No passenger recovery from 2020 expected in 2021

Press Releases

These press release news are published mostly “as is”, i.e. this is how we get it from the senders.

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On the water: AUTO ACHIEVE, UECC’s second LNG battery hybrid PCTC

AUTO ACHIEVE, the second of UECC’s newbuild LNG battery PCTCs on the water after being launched this week at Jiangnan Shipyard. ©: UECC

UECC’s ambitious effort to upgrade its fleet with low-carbon vessels remains on track with the launch this week of the second in a series of three LNG battery hybrid newbuilds at a Chinese yard.
The latest newbuild pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) was launched at Jiangnan Shipyard just over a year after the first steel was cut as the yard and shipowner have overcome manpower and logistical challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic to maintain the delivery schedule. 

Hull number H2664 hit the water in a launch ceremony at the Shanghai yard on 16 August and is due for final delivery along with the third vessel (AUTO ASPIRE) in the first half of 2022, while the first unit (AUTO ADVANCE) launched earlier this year is set to be delivered later this autumn after final commissioning.

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WFW advises ORD on shipbuilding contract for development of luxury residential vessel NJORD

NJORD © ORD

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has advised Ocean Residences Development Ltd (“ORD”) on the signing of the shipbuilding contract for the development of a state-of-the-art luxury residential vessel NJORD. The building of the vessel will be undertaken by Germany’s Meyer Werft.

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NORWEGIAN PRIMA floated out in Marghera

NORWEGIAN PRIMA floated out in Marghera © Fincantieri

NORWEGIAN PRIMA, the first of six vessels of Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) new Prima Class of ships was floated out at the shipyard in Marghera (Venice).
Along with her sister-ships, NORWEGIAN PRIMA will form the backbone of the future NCL fleet, being more than 142,500-tons, almost 300 meters long, and accommodating 3,215 guests. Deliveries are scheduled between 2022 and 2027.

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Further success with E-Flexers – Deltamarin signs design contracts for three RoPax ships

Deltamarin has signed design contracts with China Merchants Jinling shipyard (Weihai) for the complete basic and detail design packages of three RoPax vessels. These are the 10th, 11th and 12th Stena E-Flexer vessels for two different end clients.
Stena's E-Flexer class has been developed with a basic concept, but is flexible and adapted to customer needs, both commercially and technically. The concept combines cargo and passenger capabilities, and the vessels are substantially larger than today's standard ferries. The Stena E-Flexer class is at the forefront in terms of sustainability, and sets a new standard for emissions, costs and energy efficiency, as well as performance.

Strong figures for Port of Kapellskär

Freight volumes continue to rise at Port of Kapellskär, Ports of Stockholm's biggest freight port. Up to and including July, volumes have risen by as much as 9.6 percent compared to the same period the previous year. The increased demand for cargo handling emphasises the port's position as one of Sweden's most important freight ports.

The public offering of Tallink Grupp shares commences today (18 Aug), the subscription period end on 1 September 2021

Tallink Grupp has announced to the stock exchange that the public offering of the company’s shares will start today, 18 August 2021. Both the company’s approximately 30 000 existing shareholders as well as new investors are able to subscribe to the company’s shares until 1 September 2021 (inlc.).

Green ammonia from HEGRA to secure Norwegian competitiveness

The company HEGRA was launched at Herøya, Porsgrunn, with former Statnett CEO, Auke Lont as Chairman. The company aims to electrify and decarbonise the ammonia plant at Herøya, enabling large-scale green ammonia production. HEGRA is short for HErøya GReen Ammonia, and is co-owned by Yara, Aker Clean Hydrogen and Statkraft each owning one third.

Significant volume growth in the seaport of Kiel

The port of Kiel achieved significant volume growth in the cargo sector in the first half of the year. In the period from the beginning of January to the end of June, a total of 8.25 percent more goods were handled than in the reference period. Ferry traffic grew disproportionately and even achieved an increase of 12.7 percent in the number of transhipped trucks and trailers.

Tallink Grupp sells onshore fashion retail business Baltic Retail and exits the onshore retail market

Tallink Grupp announced to the stock exchange that it has signed an agreement with Talwest Grupp OÜ to sell its onshore fashion retail business Baltic Retail OÜ. Tallink Grupp established its onshore fashion retail subsidiary Baltic Retail OÜ in 2018 when the company was making plans to grow its onshore retail presence after the acquisition of franchise rights in the Baltics for a number of popular fashion brands, such as Esprit, Superdry, Vero Moda, Jack & Jones and United Colors of Benetton.