Baleària charters WASA EXPRESS for its Almeria-Nador service

WASA EXPRESS with its new UME livery © Jukka Huotari

Spanish ferry operator Baleària has short-term chartered Egyptian ferry operator United Marine Egypt Shipping’s (UME) newly acquired WASA EXPRESS to operate with immediate effect on its Almeria-Nador service.

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Pandemic preys on TT Line

Rendering of the new 'Spirits' for Bass Strait service. © Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC)

The impact of COVID-19 on Tasmania’s TT Line is apparent in the company’s 2020-21 results, with profits and passenger numbers diving but new freight records set.
The operator of the SPIRIT OF TASMANIA ro-paxes across Bass Strait between Devonport and Melbourne fell to an after-tax loss of AUD 6.7 million in the financial year, compared to a profit of AUD 32.4 million in 2019-20. Revenue slumped from AUD 270.7 million to AUD 213.9 million.

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Viking Line show clear signs of recovery in its Q3 results

Viking Line has benefitted from the lifting of restrictions with increased demand for their services. During the third quarter they had sales of EUR 97.5 million (EUR 56.6 million), which improved their operating income that ended at EUR 26.0 million (EUR -7.8 million).

January – September traffic figures

The total number of passengers on Viking Line’s vessels during the period was 1,484,398 (1,642,179). The Group had a total market share in its service area of approximately 34.1% (26.4%).

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Shippax Ferry Conference-first speakers and moderators announced

The conference website has been updated, and we are happy to announce a strong set of early confirmed speakers and moderators:
https://www.shippaxferryconference.com/en/about-conference-2022/speakers-2022.aspx 

Secure your seat to this 19th annual ferry conference – 5-7 April 2022 on board SILJA SERENADE, sailing between Stockholm-Helsinki-Stockholm!

Listen to the leaders of the ferry industry, catch up with the latest products and developments and enjoy a world-class networking together with friends, colleagues, customers and future customers.

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Boreal sold to French Vauban Infrastructure Partners

MALMEFJORD was delivered to Boreal in June this year and is a sister vessels to the just delivered TOMREFJORD © Sedef Shipyard

Boreal on of the four major Norwegian domestic ferry operators has been sold to Vauban Infrastructure Partners (VIP), three years after its sale to the Everbright Overseas Infrastructure Investment Fund, another equity fund mainly investing in so-called infrastructure companies and based in Hong Kong.

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Emission-free Stockholm passenger catamaran ferry to feature battery, hydrogen-based fuel cell power

Stockholm-based Echandia has secured a contract to supply the world’s first emission-free, high-speed passenger catamaran ferry with an integrated battery and hydrogen-based fuel cell system, designed for operation in the waters surrounding Sweden’s capital city.

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New French start-up operator Blue Channel Line delays start of its new Calais-Tilbury to Q1 2022

New French start-up Blue Channel Line has announced that its new ferry service between Calais and Tilbury will now start in Q1 2022 and not early November, which in turn was delayed from the originally planned October. The service, to be operated by a yet to be revealed chartered vessel, will operate six times a week, sailing from Calais at 22.00 hours Monday-Friday, and returning from Tilbury at 09.00 on Tuesday-Saturday with unaccompanied freight.

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First quarterly profit since the start of the pandemic for Tallink Grupp

Tallink Grupp’s CEO Paavo Nõgene is pleased © Tallink Grupp

The third quarter financial results have been released by Tallink Grupp, showing their first quarterly profit since the start of the pandemic. Unaudited net profit was EUR 5.5 million (net loss of EUR 23.9 million in Q3 2020). Third quarter EBITDA was EUR 35.1 million (EUR 5.7 million in Q3 2020). Revenue increased by 18.6% compared to the same period in 2020, totalling EUR 170.5 million (EUR 143.7 million in Q3 2020).

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Godby Shipping sells ro-ro LINK STAR to Norway’s Norwest Ship Management AS

LINK STAR finds new owner © Godby Shipping

Mariehamn-based Godby Shipping has sold its ro-ro LINK STAR to Norwegian side-loading vessel operator Norwest Ship Management AS, based in Åkrehamn. The 1989-built vessel will become the first ro-ro in this owner’s fleet.

LINK STAR will be handed over to her new owners in the Norwegian port of Husoy between 12-25 November 2021.

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Council of the Isles of Scilly secures GBP 48 million for major improvements to the isles of Scilly ferry links

The new 72m SCILLONIAN IV will carry 600 passengers over three decks and will be capable of a speed of 18 knots © BMT

The Council of the Isles of Scilly has secured GBP 48 million from the UK government for improvements to the Isles of Scilly’s ferry links from Penzance. 

Naval architects BMT are currently designing the new vessels for the Isles of Scilly; the new passenger ferry SCILLONIAN IV, the new freight ferry and the new inter-island launch. 

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Boreal Sjø takes delivery of second of three full-electric double-enders from Turkey’s Sedef Shipyard

TOMREFJORD © Sedef Shipyard

The second of three full-electric double-ender ferries building for Norway’s Boreal Sjø at Turkey’s Sedef Shipyard in Tuzla, TOMREFJORD, has been delivered and is on its way to Norway.

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Coin ceremony held for COSTA TOSCANA following successful sea trials

The 337m long and 42m beam COSTA TOSCANA will boast a maximum capacity of 6,730 passengers, accommodated in 2,663 cabins. © Meyer Turku

Costa Cruises’ second LNG-powered cruise ship, the 183,731gt COSTA TOSCANA, successfully passed its sea trails and a coin ceremony was held two weeks later at the Meyer Turku shipyard.

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Hyundai Mipo have started production of a “smart” passenger ship

© Hyundai Mipo Dockyard

An 89.1m long and 300-passenger capacity ship has started its construction at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. It is built in partnership with the city government of Ulsan, South Korea, and the Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency and features several eco-friendly and “smart” technologies.

The 16-knot vessel, due for delivery in October 2022, will have dual-fuel LNG engines and a DC Grid-based electric propulsion system to optimize fuel efficiency. It will also feature a collision prevention and berthing guidance support system, as well as a system for optimal route recommendations and remote control that supports monitoring and operation. There will also be a smart maintenance function that self-diagnoses aging equipment in the ship.

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Corsica Ferries’ SARDINIA REGINA finds new Libyan owner

SARDINIA REGINA © Bruce Peter

The SARDINIA REGINA of Corsica Ferries has been sold to Libyan Kevalay Travel & Tourism. Renamed KEVALAY QUEEN, it will commence a service between Turkish Izmir and the Libyan city Misurata.

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Tuco Marine signs first CityHopper E-Line Contract

Tuco Marine signs first contract on its newly launched ProZero CityHopper E-Line concept of fully electrical vessels for urban waterway passenger transportation. The First Contract is signed with the city of Aalborg though the Port of Aalborg owned subsidiary Center of Logistics and collaboration.

The ProZero CityHopper E-Line is a range of light weight catamaran designs in the size from 10 to 15 meters specifically designed for urban waterway passenger transportation. The CityHoppers are built of light weight composite materials, to ensure very efficient hull lines to deliver world class performance in low energy consumption.

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Finnlines increases capacity between Finland and Sweden in January 2022

EUROPALINK © Frank Lose

To continue improving the service and meet the growing demand of the industry, Finnlines will introduce a capacity increase of 1.200 lane metres in the traffic Kapellskär–Långnäs–Naantali starting 27 January 2022, when EUROPALINK replaces FINNFELLOW.

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ForSea focuses on inclusion and accessibility through the Sunflower program

From 1 November 2021, people with invisible disabilities who take the ferry between Helsingborg and Helsingör can wear the Sunflower symbol if they want to signal to employees and other passengers that extra time, understanding, patience or help during the crossing may be needed.

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Boundary Layer Technologies reveals concept design of zero emission electric hydrofoil ferry

ELECTRA © Boundary layer Technologies

Boundary Layer Technologies, a California based marine technology startup launched their fully electric hydrofoiling ferry concept design. ELECTRA - twice the speed and range of existing electric ferries - has a range of up to 100 nautical miles and cruise speed of 40 knots due to Boundary Layer Technology’s proprietary hydrofoil technology and podded propulsion system. Compared to fossil fuel alternatives, ELECTRA’s battery electric propulsion significantly reduces cabin noise by up to 20dB compared to conventional ferries. It’s foiling system also offers excellent seakeeping and ride comfort.

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Holland America Line’s ROTTERDAM Sets Sail with World-Class Floating Art Gallery Valued at Over $4.1 Million

ROTTERDAM © Fincantieri

Holland America Line ships have long been regarded as floating art galleries for their extensive collections of museum-quality pieces. When ROTTERDAM sets sail for the first time Oct. 20, 2021, guests are in for a visually rewarding journey with some of the most thought-provoking, striking and bold pieces in the fleet — including historical works and memorabilia from beloved previous sister ships.
ROTTERDAM's art collection is valued at more than $4.1 million and was curated by Oslo-based YSA Design and London-based ArtLink, who collaborated with acclaimed hospitality design atelier Tihany Design.The result is a museum at sea with 2,645 pieces of diverse works ranging in value from $500 to $620,000 that spans the decks, public rooms and staterooms

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MacGregor secures order from Rauma Marine Constructions for two RoPax vessels

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has secured a new cargo access equipment order for two RoPax vessels to be built by Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) for Spirit of Tasmania (TT-Line Company Pty Ltd).
The order was booked into Cargotec's second quarter 2021 order intake, with deliveries planned to commence during the third quarter of 2022 and completed during the first quarter of 2023.

Royal Caribbean Group Announces "Destination Net Zero" -- Program to Achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050

Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) announced a giant step on its sustainability journey: Destination Net Zero, a comprehensive decarbonization strategy that includes pledging to establish Science-Based Targets (SBT) and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Viking Line introduce fuel surcharge due to rising fuel costs

As of November 1. 2021, Viking Line will introduce a fuel surcharge on all scheduled sailings and cruises. The fuel surcharge will apply to all bookings made as of November 1. Tickets purchased without the fuel surcharge are valid at the old price.

Viking Line provides the best customer experience in the tourism industry

Viking Line gets the highest customer rating in the Finnish tourism industry according to ASML’s new customer index. Among the companies taking part in the survey, Viking Line ranked fifth in customer experience.

Rolls-Royce celebrates 25 years with its mtu Series 2000 and Series 4000

With more than 100,000 engines sold, and with over 320 million operating hours under their belts, Rolls-Royce’s mtu Series 2000 and Series 4000 engines are a real success story. Rolls-Royce is now celebrating the 25th anniversary of these engines. Rolls-Royce Power Systems has already shipped 52,000 Series 4000 engines and over 65,000 Series 2000s, which are used all over the world in mobile and stationary applications and impress customers with their reliability, efficiency and ever-decreasing fuel consumption and emissions.

Copenhagen’s first shore power facility is inaugurated for the DFDS ferries

A new shore power facility was inaugurated at the DFDS terminal in Copenhagen by, among others, Copenhagen’s Lord Mayor Lars Weiss. The facility significantly reduces the ships’ CO2 emissions while they are in port, thus ensuring cleaner air for the benefit of the environment and even more so for the neighbours on Østerbro.

TECO 2030 receives NOK 50 million in government support for fuel cell development

TECO 2030 has been granted NOK 50 million in Norwegian government support for its development of hydrogen fuel cells, which will lead to the creation of up to 500 new jobs in northern Norway by 2030 and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

After resilience comes the time for competitiveness for Brittany Ferries

Jean-Marc Roué, president of Brittany Ferries, has welcomed the French government’s announcement that it will extend exceptional aid of €45 million to the Brittany-based shipping company. For over a year, Brittany Ferries has warned the French state of its deteriorating financial situation as it has battled the Brexit and Covid crises. In particular, the closure of passenger services on the English Channel, a direct consequence of travel restrictions put in place by various European governments to control the Covid pandemic, has had a massive impact.