Ferry news, cruise, ro-ro and high-speed

ECO ADRIATICA at its builders in China before delivery in 2022 © Grimaldi Group

Grimaldi adds capacity to Turkiye route

nov 02 2026

Ro-roRather than adding a 5th vessel to their successful Motorway of the Sea (MoS) service linking Trieste with Gemlik, located on the southern side of Marmara, and the port of Ambarli on the European side of Istanbul, Grimaldi have introduced the 7,800 lane metre 67,311 GT ECO ADRIATICA and now have four GG5G class ro-ro ships on the route, simultaneously reducing capacity on its Livorno – Savona – Barcelona - Valencia service.

Mazda renews its feeder fleet

nov 02 2026

Ro-roThe 5,400 GRT (Japanese) TOYO MARU No.8 has been launched from Naikai Zosen’s Setoda shipyard, with delivery expected in March 2027.

Kawasaki Kisen aims for a fleet of 30 alternative fuel PCTCs by 2030

nov 02 2026

Ro-roOne of the major Japanese shipowners active in the car carrier sector, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K-Line), has announced that it will have a fleet of 30 alternative fuel PCTCs by 2030.

The 1989-built PETAR HEKTOROVIC. © Søren Lund Hviid

Jadrolinija soon to tender for new RoPax tonnage

nov 02 2026

FerryCroatian state-owned ferry operator Jadrolinija plans to launch tenders for four e-fuel powered RoPax ferries by the end of 2026 and later for three smaller electric ferries as part of an extensive fleet modernisation programme.

The Great Belt Bridge seen from the former car ferry port on the Zealand side. © Sund & Bælt

Tender on reinstatement of RoRo facilities at former ferry ports at either end of bridge

nov 02 2026

FerryDanish state-owned company A/S Storebælt, which owns the 18-kilometre combined bridge and tunnel link across the Great Belt, has issued an EU tender for the reinstatement of RoRo facilities at either end of the link.

Next wave of newbuildings on the horizon for Grimaldi

nov 02 2026

Ro-roGrimaldi has laid the groundwork in China and South Korea for a fresh influx of RoRo and RoPax tonnage. The major family-owned Italian shipping group has signed a letter of intent with China Merchants for four next-generation multipurpose PCTCs with a capacity of 10,000 CEU.

A promotional computer-manipulated photo of ELPIS used by its former owner. © Elpis Cruise

ELPIS sold to cash buyer after unsuccessful attempts to scrap sister ship

nov 01 2026

FerryChina’s Hoiyu International Group Ltd. has sold ELPIS to Singapore-based cash buyer GR Shipping Pte. Ltd. Over the past two months, the company has acquired three ships: a 1984-built mining vessel, a 1985-built drillship and the 1976-built RoPax ferry ELPIS. Two of its three latest acquisitions have arrived in Bangladesh for scrapping.

Representation of ABB's hybrid propulsion system for the 160 Auto Ferry Class. © ABB

ABB to power third Washington State Ferries hybrid-electric newbuild vessel

nov 01 2026

FerryWashington State Ferries gives ABB the go-ahead for the third vessel in its ferry fleet modernization and electrification program This expands ABB’s involvement in the program from two vessels to three and is part of Washington State Ferries’ broader plan for up to 16 new hybrid electric ferries by 2040.

Funding secured for BESS capacity in Igoumenitsa Port

nov 01 2026

PortIgoumenitsa Port Authority S.A. has secured funding for a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), under the national programme “Energy Storage Systems for Businesses – Go Beyond Solar Battery.”

SCILLONIAN IV departs Vietnam on its delivery voyage. © The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group

SCILLONIAN IV sets sail from Vietnam on journey home to the UK

nov 01 2026

FerryThe Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s new passenger vessel, SCILLONIAN IV, departed Vietnam at 06:00 local time (23:00 UK time) 31 October – the beginning of its delivery voyage to the UK ahead of entering service in March 2027.

Aerial view of SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV. © Spirit of Tasmania

New Spirit of Tasmania ferries completed their inaugural passenger crossings across Bass Strait

nov 01 2026

FerrySpirit of Tasmania (TT-Line Co Pty) operated the first passenger sailings with its two newbuilds, SPIRIT OF TASMANIA IV and SPIRIT OF TASMANIA V, across Bass Strait between Tasmania and mainland Australia on 31 October.

SAMSKIP KVITBJORN and SAMSKIP KVITNOS. © Samskip

Samskip acquired by Boluda Shipping

okt 30 2026

Ro-roBoluda Shipping and Samskip have signed an agreement under which Boluda Shipping will acquire Samskip, including all its assets and operations. The acquisition will pave the way for a comprehensive European shortsea shipping network, connecting Northern Europe with the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands and West Africa.

New Chinese export EVs from Leapmotor. © Grimaldi China

Grimaldi close to 100,000 transported cars from Stellantis-led joint venture

okt 30 2026

Ro-roLeapmotor, the Stellantis-led joint venture dedicated to expanding electric vehicles outside China, has reinforced its strategic partnership with the Grimaldi Group to support the brand's rapid growth across Europe.

POLSCA Baltic Ferries’ latest newbuild brings back the Polish flag

okt 30 2026

FerryPoland’s newest RoPax ferry, the 46,627 GT BURSZTYN UNITY, delivered to POLSCA Baltic Ferries by Remontowa Shiprepair Yard in Gdansk on 23 October, is registered under the Polish flag.

GLEN ROSA at its builders. © Maritime Photographic

GLEN ROSA’s expected delay now increases to eight years and seven months

okt 30 2026

FerryThe severely delayed newbuild GLEN ROSA, the second of two LNG dual-fuel ferries being built for Caledonian MacBrayne by Ferguson Marine, faces yet another delay. Until 29 October, the ferry’s latest announced delivery date was the fourth quarter of 2026. This has now been pushed back further, with delivery expected in early February 2027.

Drone photo of the capsized VIRGEN DE PENAFRANCIA II © Philippine Coast Guard

Philippine ferry capsizes right in front of its berth

okt 30 2026

Ferry40 passengers and 18 crew members have been rescued after the 1997-built, 184 GT RoPax ferry VIRGEN DE PENAFRANCIA II capsized just 10 metres from its berth at Barangay Ungos in the Philippine province of Quezon.

Gothenburg-based Stena Line will take over Oslo-based Color Line starting next year. © Søren Lund Hviid

ANALYSIS: Color Line is currently the larger operator in their shared market – both companies serve the same long corridor

okt 28 2026

FerryStena Line, owned by Stena AB, is a significantly larger player on the Northern European ferry scene than Olav Sunde-owned Color Line. Stena Line’s 18 routes across Northern Europe – from the Irish Sea in the west, through the north–south corridors between the UK and continental Europe, via the Kattegat and on to routes both along and across the Baltic Sea – generated revenue of EUR 1.82 billion in 2025. By comparison, Color Line generated revenue of EUR 645 million in 2025 from its four routes across the Kattegat, Skagerrak and outer Oslofjord.

Polferries to move Swedish terminal to Stockholm Norvik on 8–9 November

okt 28 2026

FerryPolferries' Gdansk–Nynäshamn service will move from the ferry terminal in Nynäshamn to Stockholm Norvik Port on 8–9 November, Camilla Strümpel, director of strategy and communications at Ports of Stockholm, told the local newspaper Nynäshamns Posten. The move was planned for September but was postponed because of delays in the delivery of glazing for the passenger check-in booths at Norvik. Passengers who had already booked autumn crossings were also taken into account.

Havila Kystruten puts investments on hold over shorter coastal route contract

okt 28 2026

CruiseHavila Kystruten has put planned investments for the next Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route contract on hold after the Norwegian government proposed cutting the contract period from 10 years to four–five years, the company announced. The investments include modifications that would allow private cars to be handled at all ports.

Brittany Ferries’ Saint-Malo–Guernsey passenger traffic up 56.5% on 2024

okt 28 2026

FerryBrittany Ferries carried 102,094 passengers between Saint-Malo and Guernsey from November 2025 to September 2026. The company said this is an increase of 56.5% compared with the same period in 2024.
That is 36,852 more passengers than in 2024, the last year Condor Ferries operated the route. Brittany Ferries resumed the Saint-Malo–Guernsey service in 2025. It serves the island under a 15-year agreement with the States of Guernsey.

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Grimaldi adds capacity to Turkiye route

Mazda renews its feeder fleet

Kawasaki Kisen aims for a fleet of 30 alternative fuel PCTCs by 2030

Jadrolinija soon to tender for new RoPax tonnage

Tender on reinstatement of RoRo facilities at former ferry ports at either end of bridge

Next wave of newbuildings on the horizon for Grimaldi

ELPIS sold to cash buyer after unsuccessful attempts to scrap sister ship

ABB to power third Washington State Ferries hybrid-electric newbuild vessel

Funding secured for BESS capacity in Igoumenitsa Port

SCILLONIAN IV sets sail from Vietnam on journey home to the UK

New Spirit of Tasmania ferries completed their inaugural passenger crossings across Bass Strait

Samskip acquired by Boluda Shipping

Grimaldi close to 100,000 transported cars from Stellantis-led joint venture

POLSCA Baltic Ferries’ latest newbuild brings back the Polish flag

GLEN ROSA’s expected delay now increases to eight years and seven months

Philippine ferry capsizes right in front of its berth

ANALYSIS: Color Line is currently the larger operator in their shared market – both companies serve the same long corridor

Polferries to move Swedish terminal to Stockholm Norvik on 8–9 November

Havila Kystruten puts investments on hold over shorter coastal route contract

Brittany Ferries’ Saint-Malo–Guernsey passenger traffic up 56.5% on 2024

Most read

Stena signs agreement to acquire Color Line

Arab Bridge Maritime acquires third RoPax from Europe in quick succession

Baleària to refurbish three ferries to improve comfort and onboard services

Spirit Quay opens in Devonport as SPIRIT OF TASMANIA I and II leave service

Funding secured for BESS capacity in Igoumenitsa Port

Philippine ferry capsizes right in front of its berth

ANALYSIS: Color Line is currently the larger operator in their shared market – both companies serve the same long corridor

GLEN ROSA’s expected delay now increases to eight years and seven months