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Shippax News Bulletin – 50

Shippax News Bulletin – 50

- In association with Interferry

Dear Subscriber,

This is the last newsletter before christmas, so we take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

There will still be some news added to the website, so make sure you visit that to keep updated. 

Photo above: DFDS' former CALAIS SEAWAYS, now in Dover-Calais service for Irish Ferries as the ISLE OF INNISFREE.

/ The Shippax team: Elizabeth, Charlotte, Frederik, Göran, Sofia and Victor 



Mexico’s Baja Ferries looks to fleet expansion in 2022

Mexican ferry operator Baja Ferries is looking to expand its fleet, start new routes and build a new logistics centre in La Paz in 2022.

READ THE FULL STORY



GOTLAND HORIZON - the ship of the future for emission-free Gotland traffic

GOTLAND HORIZON will be Sweden's first large-scale hydrogen-powered vessel for both passengers and freight, with water as the only emission. The GOTLAND HORIZON project is run by Rederi AB Gotland, which has the ambition of being able to order a ship as early as 2025, to go into Destination Gotland's traffic by 2030

READ THE FULL STORY



FERRY KYOTO has entered service

FERRY KYOTO operates for the City Line brand © Meimon Taiyo Ferry

FERRY KYOTO operates for the City Line brand © Meimon Taiyo Ferry

A new ro-pax for Meimon Taiyo Ferry was completed at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shimonoseki Shipyard, and entered service on the Osaka (Nanko)-Kita Kyushu (Shin Moji) route on 16 December, 2021.

FERRY KYOTO is 195m in length, and 27.8m in width, and has a Japanese domestic Gross Tonnage of 15,025gt.

READ THE FULL STORY



GNV double Balearic fleet

Grimaldi-owned TENACIA entered in October a three year bareboat charter for GNV © Marc Ottini

Grimaldi-owned TENACIA entered in October a three year bareboat charter for GNV © Marc Ottini

GNV, the MSC owned Italian ferry operator have announced an immediate increase in their services to and between the Balearic Islands. The dedicated Balearic fleet of GNV BRIDGE and GNV SEALAND has been reinforced by the arrival of the TENACIA and the MAJESTIC.

READ THE FULL STORY


Shippax Ferry Conference-meet the ferry industry!

Shippax Ferry Conference is the must-attend springtime event where all the major players of the ferry industry come to catch up with the latest products and developments and enjoy a world-class networking together with friends, colleagues, customers and future customers.

We now have more than 200 delegates registered with few available sponsorships remaining.

We offer a value-for-money package with all events, meals and cabins included in the price.

Secure your seat now

READ THE FULL STORY


Höegh Autoliners exercise purchase option to buy HÖEGH BEIJING

HÖEGH BEIJING has a 5,000 CEU capacity © Marc Ottini

HÖEGH BEIJING has a 5,000 CEU capacity © Marc Ottini

HÖEGH BEIJING is a car carrier built in 2010 by Chinese Xiamen and employed on a charter from Ocean Yield ASA to Höegh Autoliners until June 2022.

In the contract, Höegh Autoliners has an option to purchase the vessel at the end of the charter period, which has now been declared. The effective purchase date is 20 June 2022.

READ THE FULL STORY


Alaska Marine Highway System gets the green light to build a replacement ferry for the 57-year-old TUSTUMENA

Render of the replacer for TUSTUMENA © AMHS

Render of the replacer for TUSTUMENA © AMHS

The governor of the State of Alaska, Mike Dunleavy, and the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, Ryan Anderson, announced plans for the building of a new passenger/vehicle ferry to replace the 57-year old TUSTUMENA and the “re-energising” of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS).

Costing between US CAD 200-250 million and due in service in early 2027, the new ferry will have a 40 per cent increase in both passenger capacity and vehicle capacity over the 1964-built TUSTUMENA – 250 passengers compared to 160 and 52 vehicles compared to 34.

READ THE FULL STORY


Attica Holdings S.A.sold EXPRESS PEGASUS for recycling

EXPRESS PEGASUS © Marc Ottini

EXPRESS PEGASUS © Marc Ottini

Attica Holdings S.A. announced the sale of the 1977-built Ro-Pax vessel EXPRESS PEGASUS for recycling according to the respective European and Greek legislation, to a ship recycling facility in Turkey, included in the European List of Ship Recycling Facilities.

Another vessel recently sold for recycling is Scandlines 1976-built HOLGER DANSKE, which arrived last week at Fornaes Ship Recycling at the Port of Grenaa in the middle of Denmark. 

READ THE FULL STORY


Settlement a step closer in the Corsica Ferries public ferry service dispute

© Kai Ortel

© Kai Ortel

The dispute involving the illegal subsidies from the Corsica Region to SNCM for the public ferry service contract between 2007 and 2013 has moved closer to a settlement after the French Government announced that they intend to support the Corsica Region with EUR 50 million as part of a bigger programme aiming to develop the islands economy.

The EUR 50 million would account for more than half of the EUR 94 million that the Council of State ordered the Corsica Region to pay to Corsica Ferries.

READ THE FULL STORY


Sallaum Lines acquired two PCTCs from Siem Shipping

SIEM PLATO is joining Sallaum Lines © Siem Car Carriers

SIEM PLATO is joining Sallaum Lines © Siem Car Carriers

Sallaum Lines have acquired two PCTCs from Siem Shipping that will join their fleet during 2022, which will enlarge their operated fleet to a total number of 10 vessels.

These two acquisitions will enable Sallaum Lines to cover its dedicated liner services for the new OEM contracts from South Africa towards North Europe.

READ THE FULL STORY


RFI - Strait of Messina newbuild contract awarded to Barreras

The newbuild is expected to be similar to the close sisterships MESSINA (photo) and IGINIA © Frank Lose

The newbuild is expected to be similar to the close sisterships MESSINA (photo) and IGINIA © Frank Lose

Italian railway infrastructure manager Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) has awarded the Spanish Barreras shipyard an EUR 74 million contract to design and construct the new dual fuel hybrid rail ferry for the Strait of Messina.

The new ship, which should be ready for delivery in about three years, will be 150 meters long, 19.5 meters wide and at a speed of 18 knots it will be used to transport passengers, railway carriages and wagons, dangerous goods and rail tankers in the Strait of Messina. It will also feature 400 square meters of solar panels to lower its emissions in port.  

READ THE FULL STORY



Northern Xplorer – the world’s first zero-emission cruise ships concept

Northern Xplorer AS (NX) announced the launch of its zero-emission, luxury cruise concept that aims to open the door to unique communities, natural attractions and experiences in the Nordic countries using advanced eco-friendly vessels.
NX brings ‘experience tourism’ to the cruise forefront under the slogan ‘Destination Discovery’ – a new type of cruising providing immersive, enriching experiences for those interested in responsible travel with a minimal footprint.

READ THE FULL STORY


Airseas’ Seawing sets sail with first installation on Louis Dreyfus Armateurs’ VILLE DE BORDEAUX, chartered by Airbus

Airseas, a pioneer in wind propulsion solutions for shipping, has completed the first installation of its automated kite Seawing on a commercial vessel, marking an important milestone in the deployment of wind-assisted technologies to curb emissions from shipping.

The first Seawing system has been installed on the vessel VILLE DE BORDEAUX, chartered by Airbus, owned and operated by Louis Dreyfus Armateurs.

READ THE FULL STORY


Baleària celebrates 10 years on the routes between United States and Bahamas with one million passengers transported

JAUME II © Marc Ottini

JAUME II © Marc Ottini

Baleària celebrates the tenth anniversary of its first voyage linking the United States and the Bahamas. The shipping company began operating in December 2011 with the route between Fort Lauderdale (Florida, United States) and Freeport (Grand Bahama, Bahamas), and since 2019, it also connects the United States port with the Bahamian island of Bimini. In this first decade, the Baleària Caribbean subsidiary has transported more than 1,100,000 passengers and nearly 100,000 containers of goods.

READ THE FULL STORY


Finnlines increases capacity between Finland and Sweden and marks 25th anniversary of commitment to the freight industry

EUROPALINK © Frank Lose

EUROPALINK © Frank Lose

At the end of January 2022, the ro-pax vessel EUROPALINK will replace Finnfellow on the Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär route after she has substituted FINNSWAN during her scheduled dry docking at the beginning of January, and undergone a facelift for public areas. The cargo capacity will increase by 1,200 lane meters and passenger capacity by over 100. She will sail under the Finnish flag, employing about 80 Finnish seafarers.

READ THE FULL STORY


Tallink Grupp’s RoPax vessel REGAL STAR to undergo regular maintenance between 23 December 2021 and 16 January 2022

REGAL STAR © Tallink Grupp

REGAL STAR © Tallink Grupp

Tallink Grupp’s Paldiski-Kapellskär route RoPax vessel REGAL STAR will not be operating between 23 December 2021 and 16 January 2022 as the vessel will be transferred to the floating dock for regular maintenance at the at BLRT Repair Yards’ shipyard in Tallinn.

READ THE FULL STORY


BC Ferries names and christens the fifth Island Class ferry

© BC Ferries

© BC Ferries

BC Ferries revealed the name of its latest Island Class Ferry at a naming ceremony at its fleet maintenance facility in Richmond, B.C. ISLAND KWIGWIS is the newest vessel to join the fleet and will begin service in the spring of 2022, allowing for two-ship operation on the Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island route.

READ THE FULL STORY


Tersan Shipyard launched HAVILA POLARIS and HAVILA POLLUX

HAVILA POLLUX © Tersan Shipyard

HAVILA POLLUX © Tersan Shipyard

Tersan Shipyard simultaneously launched HAVILA POLARIS and HAVILA POLLUX which are sister vessels to HAVILA CAPELLA, the world's largest battery capacity passenger vessel delivered to its owners Havila Kystruten in November.

READ THE FULL STORY


P&O Ferries and We4Sea sign contract on vessel performance monitoring

BORE SONG © J.J. Jager

BORE SONG © J.J. Jager

P&O Ferries and We4Sea have signed a cooperation agreement to roll-out the We4Sea Digital Twin based performance monitoring solution over the P&O Ferries chartered fleet. Aim is to reduce fuel consumption and emissions from ships.

READ THE FULL STORY


KM supplies engine and thruster package for cruise vessel on new Havila Kystruten route along the Norwegian coast

HAVILA CAPELLA © Tom Gulbrandsen

HAVILA CAPELLA © Tom Gulbrandsen

The cruise company Havila Kystruten is celebrating the opening of a breathtaking new 12-day sailing route along the Norwegian coast between Bergen and Kirkenes – and the flagship vessel for this memorably scenic passage, HAVILA CAPELLA, will be relying upon cutting-edge Kongsberg Maritime (KM) technology for its motive power and propulsion.

READ THE FULL STORY


Sefine Shipyard orders seawater coolers for RoPax ferry

Newbuild number 54, EOLIE, for Siremar © NAOS Ship and Boat Design

Newbuild number 54, EOLIE, for Siremar © NAOS Ship and Boat Design

Sefine Shipyard has awarded Norwegian company Hydroniq Coolers a contract to deliver a hull-integrated marine cooling system to a RoPax ferry the Turkish shipyard is building for Italian shipping company Siremar. Under the contract, Hydroniq Coolers will supply its hull-integrated “Rack” seawater cooling system to the ferry. The Rack cooler is integrated in the hull below the main engine room of the vessel, where it reduces temperatures in the ship’s engines and other auxiliary systems through use of seawater, but without taking up valuable engine room space.

READ THE FULL STORY


Southern Airways Express Purchases 20 REGENT Seagliders for their U.S. East Coast Operations in $250M Deal

© REGENT

© REGENT

REGENT, the venture-backed aerospace company behind the revolutionary all-electric seaglider, announced that Southern Airways Express, one of America’s largest commuter airlines, has entered into a commercial agreement with firm deposits to add REGENT seagliders to its fleet of aircraft. Seagliders provide harbor-to-harbor, overwater transportation at a fraction of the cost, noise, and emissions of existing regional transportation modes like aircraft and ferries. With operations nationwide, Southern Airways will focus its initial seaglider service in its New York/New England and Southeastern U.S. markets, including Boston, Nantucket, Palm Beach, and Miami.

READ THE FULL STORY


Color Line temporarily takes COLOR VIKING out of operation

COLOR HYBRID temporarily alone on the route © George Giannakis

COLOR HYBRID temporarily alone on the route © George Giannakis

Color Line has decided to take COLOR VIKING temporarily out of operation on the Sandefjord-Strømstad route as of Monday 13 December. This is due to a significant drop in the number of passengers after the Norwegian government introduced new national corona measures and requested limited social contact.

READ THE FULL STORY


Ferguson Marine appoints new chief executive officer

Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) has appointed a new chief executive officer to lead the business to sustainable growth. David Tydeman will take the helm at Ferguson Marine on 1 February 2022. With a career spanning four decades, David brings a wealth of industry and senior leadership experience covering shipbuilding, offshore projects, capital infrastructure, and mergers, acquisitions and turnaround operations. His appointment at the Port Glasgow shipyard will see him return to shipbuilding on the Clyde; David started his career as a Lloyds Register surveyor at a Govan shipyard after graduating as a naval architect at Southampton University in 1976. He also has an MBA from Henley Management College.

ABB’s Azipod® propulsion factory in Shanghai marks 10-year anniversary

• Over the course of a decade, ABB’s Azipod® propulsion factory in Shanghai, China, has successfully delivered 170 units with a total output of 500 MW
• Shanghai facility manufactures Azipod® units suited to small and medium-sized ships, such as ferries, yachts and offshore vessels
• Enhancing service offering for Azipod® systems in Asia, ABB adds new maintenance and repair workshop to Shanghai facilities

Echandia opens UK hub – responds to growing market activity in the region

Swedish company Echandia, a provider of zero-emission energy solutions for heavy-duty maritime electrification, opens a business development hub in Aberdeen to serve the UK market. The UK market for maritime electrification is growing with increased demand for maritime battery systems. Echandia sets up local presence to meet that demand.

Bremenports selects ADELTE’S Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridges for the Columbus cruise center in Bremerhaven

ADELTE, a Spanish engineering group based in Barcelona and specialist in the design and manufacture of Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridges for Cruise and Ferry Terminals has been contracted by Bremenports GmbH & Co. KG to design and manufacture three PEGASUS Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridges (SPBBs) and to install these bridges at the Columbus Cruise Center in Bremerhaven.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Completes Multi-Year Investment in Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems to Improve Environmental Performance

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced the successful completion of its nearly $200 million, multi-year investment in exhaust gas cleaning systems (“EGCS”) on certain ships across its fleet with the successful commissioning of EGCS onboard NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY and NORWEGIAN GETAWAY. The new systems are aimed at improving the ships’ environmental footprint by significantly reducing emissions, including sulfur oxides and particulate matter, and improving air quality. Investments in technology such as EGCS are an integral part of the Company’s long-term climate action strategy and the Company is committed to continually exploring additional avenues to further reduce its footprint and protect and preserve the environment.

DFDS: Monthly volume report: UK bottlenecks easing slightly

Ferry – freight: Total volumes in November 2021 were 5.4% below 2020. Net adjustments for structural route changes reduced growth 2.3 ppt to -7.7%. Total adjusted volumes were up 9.5% compared to November 2019.

Ferry – passenger: The total number of passengers in November 2021 was 84.0% above 2020. The increase was largest between Norway and Denmark where travel restrictions to a large extent were abolished in November. The number of passengers on UK routes picked up but in very small numbers due to continued travel restrictions.

EIB promotes climate action by providing €300 million to finance Port of Genoa expansion

This is the first EIB operation in Italy for a project co-financed by the government with resources from the Recovery and Resilience Facility Complementary Fund.
€500 million has been allocated from the Recovery and Resilience Facility Complementary Fund for the Genoa breakwater.
The EIB support will support the construction of a breakwater, allowing modern cargo ships to access the port safely and upgrading the rail network to facilitate freight transit and reduce road traffic.
Shore-to-ship electrical connections will also be developed, allowing berthed ships to receive power from the ground-based electricity network, cutting emissions from fuel.

In Tallinn Old City Harbour ships are now served by automated mooring equipment

Ships sailing on the Tallinn-Helsinki route are now using automooring equipment when arriving and leaving the Tallinn Old City Harbour. This helps to save time and protect the environment.

Vow subsidiary Scanship bags USD 5.2 million cruise retrofit contract

Scanship has entered a USD 5.2 million turnkey contract for the supply and installation of its advanced wastewater purification systems onboard a cruise ship with the capacity to process all wastewater generated from 5000 people. The delivery of process equipment and onboard installation are scheduled to take place during 2022, partly in drydock and during regular cruise operations thereafter.


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