FERRY TAKACHIHO took to water

© Miyazaki Car Ferry

On October 20, 2021, Miyazaki Car Ferry’s FERRY TAKACHIHO took to water at the Naikai Zosen Innoshima shipyard in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan.

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Adolfo Utor takes full ownership of Baleària

Adolfo Utor © Baleària

Adolfo Utor and the Matutes group have decided to end their 17-year partnership. Adolfo Utor will be taking over their 42.5% share of the company, thereby making him the sole owner of Baleària.

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The production of LNG-hybrid ferry EOLIE for Siremar started at Sefine Shipyard

© NAOS Ship and Boat Design

Sefine Shipyard held a steel cutting ceremony for EOLIE, an LNG-hybrid ferry that will serve the Aeolian Islands trade for Siremar. 

EOLIE, 109.95m long and 19.5m beam will connect Milazzo on the northeast coast of Sicily with the Aeolian Islands, continuing to the mainland port of Naples on certain days of the week. Replacing the 1992-built LAURANA, the newbuild will have a capacity of 800 persons (passengers and crew).

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Ferry sector delivers the goods, the people and significant value to the European economy

Figures presented at Interferry reveal the significant contribution the sector makes to the European economy. It accounts for a direct annual contribution of £8bn to European GDP, 17.3% of the shipping sector’s £46.5bn contribution, and is responsible for 109,000 jobs. That’s 16% of all 685,000 European jobs in shipping. These, and other headlines were revealed to 260 member companies from 40 countries as part of a study by Oxford Economic, commissioned by Interferry with help from data and statistics from Shippax.

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First renderings completed for the HYSEAS III hydrogen-powered ferry

The first renderings of the Scottish-led HYSEAS III project, which aims to build Europe’s first sea-going ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells, have been completed.
The drawings show what the vessel, which will store energy from renewable sources, is likely to look like. As a double-ended sea-going passenger and car ferry, it will have capacity for 120 passengers and 16 cars or two trucks.

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SunStone Ships takes delivery of OCEAN VICTORY, the third INFINITY-class vessel

OCEAN VICTORY © Albatros Expeditions

SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, announced the successful delivery of their third next-generation, INFINITY-class vessel, the OCEAN VICTORY. 

INFINITY Class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The Vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and zero speed stabilizing. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym and spa.

Current INFINITY Class new-builds under way after the delivery of the GREG MORTIMER, the OCEAN EXPLORER and the OCEAN VICTORY are; the SYLVIA EARLE, the OCEAN ODYSSEY, the OCEAN ALBATROS and the OCEAN DISCOVERER. All vessels ordered have long-term charter agreements in place.

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Global Ports Holding Positions Kalundborg as an alternative to Copenhagen

Global Ports Holding Plc ("GPH"), the world's largest independent cruise port operator, announced that it has signed a 20-year agreement with the Port of Kalundborg to provide services for cruise passengers in Kalundborg Port, Denmark. Kalundborg Port will be GPH's first cruise port in the Northern European cruise port market, marking an important milestone in the continued development and growth of the company.

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Financials

Rederi AB Gotland’s 1 January - 31 August 2021 finances improved over last year

Rederi AB Gotland saw its turnover increase from SEK 1.4 billion in 2020 to SEK 1.6 billion in 2021 during the 1 January - 31 August period, with operating profit increasing from SEK 115 million to SEK 193 million. 

Ferry passengers increased due to the easing of the covid restrictions with 43% compared to the previous year, ending at 394,135. Profit after financial items amounted to SEK 219 million (SEK 129 million).

Seaspan Ferries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through using carbon-neutral Renewable Natural Gas in LNG-powered vessels

This week, Seaspan Ferries Corporation (Seaspan) became the first Canadian marine company to pilot the use of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by its roll-on, roll-off liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered marine fleet. Seaspan expects that data from the pilot will confirm that, by using RNG, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by upwards of 85 per cent versus traditional diesel fuel.

Proman and Stena jointly develop methanol as the pathway to sustainable shipping

The global shipping industry is responsible for ~2.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which equals almost 1 billion metric tons of CO2 each year. Unchecked, emissions could increase by as much as 130% from 2008 levels by 2050. 

Transitioning to low-carbon fuels will be essential to secure the long-term future of the industry and meet International Maritime Organisation (IMO) emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2050, but still-developing technologies and the long lifetime of existing vessels makes this an even bigger challenge. Currently there are more than 70,000 vessels travelling our oceans, with an average lifespan of approximately 25-30 years. Finding a low emissions fuel for these vessels is no easy task, but now is the time to accelerate the transition. Methanol offers not only immediate, and urgently required, benefits but the only clear pathway to a sustainable future.

Joint development agreement signed between I-Tech and IFF

Swedish bio-tech company I-Tech AB (publ) (ticker: ITECH), developers of the antifouling technology, Selektope®, has signed a joint development agreement with IFF Microbial Control, providers of SEA-NINE™ 211N, and developers of the new SEA-NINE™ ULTRA marine antifouling agent technology.

European shipowners support the uptake of clean fuels but fear FuelEU may become missed opportunity due to enforcement loopholes

ECSA supports the objective of the FuelEU Maritime proposal to foster the uptake of cleaner fuels in shipping. However, the proposal may become a missed opportunity. Using documents provided by non-EU fuel suppliers to calculate carbon savings contributing to the EU’s climate targets may create substantial enforcement loopholes. Making the EU fuel suppliers responsible for meeting the fuel standards will address these concerns and will be consistent with other proposals of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. Fostering demand is key and the EU ETS revenues, the carbon contracts for difference under the EU ETS innovation fund and a higher multiplier under the Renewable Energy Directive should be used to bridge the price differential between cleaner and conventional fuels.

Kongsberg Maritime and China Merchants Industry seal long-term collaboration with a new Memorandum of Understanding to develop more sustainable solutions for shipowners

Kongsberg Maritime (KM) is pleased to announce that it has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Merchants Industry (CMI), which lays out the two companies’ joint strategies for the future. The signing was witnessed by China Merchants Hoi Tung, with whom KM has an extensive history of cooperation, and consolidates a long and mutually fruitful business relationship between KM and CMI. The new MoU outlines the future strategic route for the two parties and cements their commitment to continue delivering high-quality solutions to shipowners worldwide.

Eni and Fincantieri sign an agreement for initiatives to support the energy transition

Eni and Fincantieri have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a partnership for promoting initiatives focused on the energy transition. The aim is to create a system of integrated solutions for decarbonization projects in the fields of energy, transport and the circular economy.

P&O Ferries launches comprehensive customs clearance service to solve supply chain challenges

P&O Ferries has announced the launch of a new Customs Clearance Service, designed to strengthen their integrated end-to-end product offering by delivering seamless communication between customers, booking offices and Customs Clearance departments.
Led by industry experts and operated by trained Freight Booking Office personnel, the new service is equipped to assist customers with empty declaration requirements from this month, providing tailored support throughout the last quarter of 2021.

Carnival Corporation & plc Announces Closing of $2.3 Billion Term Loan Facility for Refinancing, Saving Interest and Extending Maturities

Carnival Corporation & plc announced that Carnival Corporation (the "Company") closed its previously announced incremental first-priority senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2.3 billion. The proceeds from the new incremental term facility are being used to redeem all of the outstanding 11.500% First-Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2023 of the Company (the "Redeemed Notes") and to pay accrued interest on such Redeemed Notes and related fees and expenses.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, MAN ES and MES-M Sign MOU aiming to order Ammonia Fueled Main Engine for Ships

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines signed the Memorandum of Understanding with MAN Energy Solutions and Mitsui E&S Machinery, Ltd. to target the signing of purchase contract of an ammonia fueled main engine which is currently under development by MAN ES.

The Port of València will install a hydrogen supply station in January

From January, the Port of Valencia will have a “hydrogen station” or green hydrogen supply station. The station will be mobile and will provide the necessary fuel, in the appropriate conditions and quantities to guarantee the continuous working cycles of the equipment forming part of the H2Ports project. The first of this equipment will be the machine or prototype of the Reach Stacker vehicle or “container stacker” which will be powered by this energy and which will be tested at MSC Terminal Valencia. The second piece of equipment to be serviced by the hydrogen plant will be a 4×4 tractor unit equipped with a fuel cell stack for testing in loading/unloading operations at Grimaldi Group’s Valencia Terminal Europa.

Ballard and Forsee Power to enter long-term strategic partnership to develop & commercialize integrated fuel cell and battery solutions for heavy-duty hydrogen mobility

Ballard Power Systems and Forsee Power announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a strategic partnership to develop fully integrated fuel cell and battery solutions, optimized for performance, cost and installation for heavy-duty hydrogen mobility applications.

Maersk invests in Vertoro to develop green lignin marine fuels

Maersk’s investment will be used to further develop and commercialise Vertoro’s patented liquid lignin technology, and it will enable Vertoro to build a demo plant, which will become operational in 2022. The output of this plant will be used to develop marine fuels in partnership with Maersk as well as other applications for the materials and chemicals markets.