Damaged OLYMPUS under tow to Syros

OLYMPUS seen leaving Santorini for Syros under tow © Capt. Nick Damigos

Almost two weeks after sustaining underwater damage, the Cyprus-flagged ro-pax ferry OLYMPUS has left Santorini for Syros where she will reportedly be drydocked for repairs.

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Samothraki ferry farce continues

ANAX is now temporarily back in service between Alexandroupolis and Samothraki. It is understood that she will be replaced by Seajets' ANDROS JET © Nikias Ioannidis

Earlier this week we reported about the surprise introduction of AZORES EXPRESS on the Alexandroupolis-Samothraki route, replacing the crippled SAOS II and SAONISOS of Saos Ferries. 

In fact, AZORES EXPRESS never reached Samothraki on her first voyage on Sunday 11 August. When approaching the island, AZORES EXPRESS reportedly suffered engine problems and made a U-turn back to Alexandroupolis at a reduced speed. The owners then sent out an official message that the ship would not return to service.

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Scandlines’ COPENHAGEN to get Norsepower rotor sail

© Norsepower

Aimed at further reducing emissions, Scandlines has signed a contract with Norsepower to install a rotor sail on the 2016-built hybrid ferry COPENHAGEN.

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VOLCAN DE TAGORO arrives in home waters

VOLCAN DE TAGORO is welcomed at the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria © Naviera Armas

After almost a month’s voyage from Tasmania, the VOLCAN DE TAGORO arrived at its new homeport of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Sunday 11 August.

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AZORES EXPRESS unexpectedly debuts on Samothraki route

For its temporary service to Samothraki, AZORES EXPRESS is now devoid of Atlânticoline branding © Marc Ottini

Blaming major engine damages to its two car ferries SAOS II and SAONISOS, SAOS Ferries has discontinued its Alexandroupolis-Samothraki car ferry service, leaving passengers and their cars stranded on the Isle of Samothraki.

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Ferguson Marine to go into administration

GLEN SANNOX photographed last week - apparently, construction has not really progressed during the past months © Mike Hood

The ongoing dispute between Transport Scotland/Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and shipbuilder Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL) concerning the delivery of two LNG-powered ferries has become critical with the shipyard about to go into administration and the Scottish Government about to nationalise it.

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NAPOLES update

NAPOLES is expected back in service today, 10 August © Frank Behling

Despite the initial forecast that the repairs to the NAPOLES would take several weeks, the yard in Algeciras has done miracles, with the LNG-powered vessel expected to re-enter service between Algeciras and Tangier Med later today, 10 August.

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Greece’s coastal ferry fleet needs overhaul

© Philippe Holthof

Like several other countries in the European Union (EU), Greece’s coastal ro-pax fleet is aged and rather environmentally unsound, and needs to be replaced with the assistance of local and EU authorities, according to leading Greek market analyst, XRTC Business Consultants.

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Finance

Continued growth for DFDS in Q2, but Brexit creates uncertainty

DFDS continued its growth in the second quarter, mainly driven by the Mediterranean expansion and higher passenger revenue. Revenue was up 9% to DKK 4.2 billion and EBITDA 4% to DKK 989 million. 1H result showed a 10% revenue increase and an 8% EBITDA increase.

Press Releases

These press release news are published “as is”, i.e. this is how we get it from the senders. If you want to have your relevant news published, please send it to news@shippax.se

Neste introduces a new IMO2020-compliant low-sulphur marine fuel

From January 1, 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will enforce a 0.5% global sulphur cap on fuel content for areas currently with 3.5% limit. In these areas, all vessels will be required to use fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5%, unless they use exhaust gas cleaning systems.
Neste helps shipping companies to respond to the tightening regulation on sulphur dioxide emissions by offering them a new IMO2020-compliant marine fuel. The Neste Marine™ 0.5, containing 0.5% sulphur, will be introduced to the market during Q4/2019.

Prominent Fast-Ferry Builders Choose MAN Engines

Prominent Australian shipbuilders, Austal and Incat Tasmania, have ordered a total of eight MAN 16V28/33D STC engines in connection with the decision of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago to build one fast ferry at each yard.

Moscord to add Schneider Electric Marine Product Line

Digital ship supply platform Moscord has announced the addition of Schneider Electric to their portfolio. The partnership will allow ship owners and managers direct access to Schneider’s marine products, including last-mile delivery to virtually any harbor.

The Finnish port system is new honorary member of A.L.I.S

The Logistic Association of Sustainable Intermodality continues to expand in Europe and the Baltic Sea with Helsinki port system and the Port of Hanko.

Port of Tallinn to Optimize Mooring With Trelleborg's AutoMoor

Trelleborg’s marine and infrastructure operation has been awarded a contract to install its rope-free automated mooring system, AutoMoor, at the Old City Harbour at the Port of Tallinn, which is the biggest harbor in Estonia and one of the busiest passenger harbors in the world.

Wallem turns to collaborative inboxes to deliver swifter ship agency services

Wallem Group is introducing collaborative inboxes to its agency business line, in a move designed to enhance responsiveness in communications by overcoming the limitations of conventional end-to-end email. The rethink on how communication takes place between Wallem’s agents and its counterparties is part of a broader digital transformation championed by CEO Frank Coles aimed at streamlining interactions with customers and improving transparency through the intelligent use of technology.

KVH Joins Smart Maritime Network as Founding Member of Technology Development Initiative

Maritime innovator KVH is pleased to announce it has joined the Smart Maritime Network (SMN) as one of the founding members of the initiative dedicated to supporting collaboration and standardization in the development of IT systems for the shipping sector. As a founding member, KVH will participate in Smart Maritime Council meetings with a select group of maritime technology developers, systems integrators, and vessel operators to discuss issues relating to the compatibility, standardization, and harmonization of the technology used in the modern shipping industry.

DNV GL supports 2020 sulphur compliance with online Ship Implementation Plan

As the days count down to the entry into force of the 2020 0.5% sulphur cap, preparation is key. DNV GL offers a free web-based application of the Ship Implementation Plan (SIP) that ship owners and managers can use to prepare vessel-specific SIPs and maintain an overview of their fleet. While not mandatory, the SIP is an IMO guidance which all ships are encouraged to prepare and implement to be ready for 1 January 2020.

Stopping cruise ships docking in Venice city center will have a limited impact and move overtourism to new areas, says GlobalData

Following the recent news that Venice will stop cruise ships weighing more than 1,000 tons docking in its historic center;
Ralph Hollister, Associate Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, offers his view on whether this measure will achieve the aim of protecting the city’s centuries-old buildings:
“Rerouting cruise ships away from Venice’s center will give local residents the impression that their complaints have been taken on board. However, it is probable that redirected tourists will commute to the central islands via large coaches and taxi services instead. 

Telenor Maritime Expand the Mobile Ecosystem into the Mediterranean, partnering up with the largest passenger shipping company in Greece

Telenor Maritime has entered into an agreement with Anek Lines to upgrade the mobile ecosystem onboard all their passenger ships. A state-of-the-art connectivity platform with Mobile, Premium Wi-Fi, Ka-VSAT and mobile broadband backhaul improves the complete digital value chain with services enhancing operational efficiency and the passenger’s onboard experience.

Damen installs solar panels at dutch shipyards

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Damen Shipyards Group is having solar panels installed at a number of its Dutch yards. Collectively, the installations will provide approximately 11,000 MWh clean electricity per year.

Speedcast Wins Contract for Fully-Managed Communications with Color Line

Speedcast International Limited (ASX: SDA), provider of remote communication and IT solutions, announced that the company has been awarded a new multi-year, fully-managed communications contract with Color Line, onboard the COLOR CARRIER vessel.

Neoline selects Neopolia's offer for the construction of its first two 136m sailing cargo ships in Saint Nazaire

On the occasion of the maritime event La Mer XXL, NEOLINE announced that it has chosen the offer of the Loire-based company Neopolia S.A.S. for the construction of its first two innovative sailing main propulsion vessels. This decision follows the international call for tenders launched in 2018 by NEOLINE to some fifteen shipyards. The construction of the first ship is scheduled to start at the end of 2019, with a launch scheduled for the end of 2021.

MOL Led to Launch a Working Group for Zero Emission Alternative Fuel - Project Aims to Reduce GHGs Emissions across Industries

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) announced that it has joined the Carbon Capture & Reuse (CCR) Study Group (Note 1) and launched the "Cross-industrial Working Group Related to Zero Emission Alternative Ship Fuels." The working group aims to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in international shipping's value chains by using synthetic methane (methanation fuel) as an alternative to fossil fuel, the current mainstream fuel for merchant vessels. Synthetic methane is generated by methanation technology that combines CO2 with renewable energy-derived hydrogen.

Peter Deer confirmed as Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ new Managing Director

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has appointed Peter Deer as its new Managing Director, with effect from 1st September 2019.

Shell Ventures invests in Corvus Energy

Corvus Energy is pleased to announce that it has finalized an investment deal with Shell Ventures. The investment is a step towards Shell’s ambition to decrease the carbon footprint of the energy products they sell by around 20% by 2035 and by around 50% by 2050, in step with society.