Jinling delivers world’s greenest ro-ro ship

ECO VALENCIA will serve Grimaldi Lines' West Med MoS, connecting northern Italy with Spain. © Jinling Shipyard

Today, 16 October, Jinling Shipyard has handed over the 67,311gt ECO VALENCIA to Grimaldi Lines. The 238m long and 34m short-sea ro-ro vessel is the first in a series of 12 highly innovative GG5G Class ro-ro vessels developed by Grimaldi Lines in close cooperation with Danish consultant naval architects Knud E. Hansen.

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More money for Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries relies heavily on passenger revenues, which has made the French operator COVID-prone. © Maritime Photographic

A few days after the regional government of Normandy approved a EUR 45 million support package for Brittany Ferries (BAI), the Regional Council of Brittany, for its part, has approved to grant EUR 30 million to the Roscoff-headquartered ferry operator.

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TT-Line Tasmania soaring, until COVID-19 hit

Tasmania’s TT-Line was on track for a “very strong” 2019-20 result until passenger revenues suffered an inevitable blow from COVID-19. Releasing the state government-owned company's annual report, chairman Mike Grainger revealed operating revenue of AUD 201 million and pre-tax profit of AUD 68 million for the first three quarters of the financial year (financial year ended 30 June 2020). But the adverse impact of the Coronavirus on passenger and accompanied vehicle traffic saw full-year revenue curtailed at AUD 270.7 million and full-year after-tax profit of AUD 32.4 million.

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Viking Line granted EUR 43 million liquidity loans

Viking Line has secured a total of EUR 43 million in liquidity loans to navigate them through the Coronavirus crisis, EUR 38.7 million of which comes from the Finnish government with the remaining EUR 4.3 million from commercial banks.

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GSI cuts first steel for world’s largest double-ended ferry

Steel cutting for P&O Ferries' first of two double-enders ordered at GSI. © GSI

On 15 October, less than one week after construction started on Moby’s second ro-pax, Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) started cutting the steel for P&O Ferries’ first ground-breaking double-ender for Dover-Calais service.

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Stena’s lengthened Visentinis to be introduced between Nynäshamn and Ventspils

The lengthened STENA LAGAN (pictured) and STENA MERSEY will be introduced between Nynäshamn and Ventspils next year. © Sedef Shipbuilding

Stena Line will increase its freight capacity on its Baltic Sea route between Nynäshamn and Ventspils by almost 30% when the lengthened STENA LAGAN and STENA MERSEY will replace near sister ships STENA FLAVIA and SCOTTISH VIKING on the Sweden-Latvia route next year.

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PACIFIC ARIA sold for EUR 8 million

It is understood that Iliopoulos is the myestery buyer of the S Class PACIFIC ARIA. © P&O Cruises (Australia)

Marios Iliopoulos, the Greek entrepreneur controlling Seajets, has reportedly added a fourth cruise ship to his tally following the acquisition of P&O Cruises’ (Australia) 55,877gt, 1994-built PACIFIC ARIA for EUR 8 million.

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CMV’s VASCO DA GAMA sold at auction to Mystic Invest

VASCO DA GAMA, built as HAL's STATENDAM, has found new owners. © Christian Costa

The first of five cruise vessels operated by bankrupt UK cruise line Cruise & Maritime Voyages, the 1992-built, 1,258-passenger capacity VASCO DA GAMA, has been sold at Admiralty Auction to Portugal’s Mystic Invest Group, led by Mário Ferreira for EUR 9.5 million.

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Management change and further staff reductions at Fjord Line

© Philippe Holthof

Rickard Ternblom, who has led Fjord Line since 2015, has agreed with the board to step down as the company’s CEO. The board has started the process of finding a new CEO. Until a new manager is in place, Arne Roland will act as CEO.

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Keels of three more E-Flexers laid as GALICIA arrived home

Keel laying of W0270 - the first lengthened version for Stena Line service. © CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard

With lesser fanfare than initially planned, CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard laid the keels of the last three E-Flexers for Stena RoRo on 14 October. As ships need to have Tier III-compliant engines when the keel is laid on or after 1 January 2021, it was important for Stena RoRo to lay down the keels this year.

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UK government awards GBP 77.6 million post-Brexit freight contracts

The Newhaven-Dieppe route is one of the beneficiaries of the latest post-Brexit freight contract. © Maritime Photographic

The UK government has again stepped in to maintain lifeline freight ferry capacity on vital routes into the UK from mainland Europe following the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020.

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Normandy votes in favour of financial support for Brittany Ferries, Brittany likely to follow later this week

The brand-new E-Flexer Class GALICIA seen arriving at Portsmouth for the first time earlier today, 13 October. © Maritime Photographic

On 12 October, the very day when the E-Flexer GALICIA reached Cherbourg from China, members of the regional government of Normandy voted unanimously in favour of a financial support package for Brittany Ferries (BAI) to the tune of EUR 45 million.

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Godby Shipping’s MIDAS to leave the Baltic for the Caribbean

The Riga-Oxelösund operated by MIDAS proved to be short-lived. © Wagenborg

It appears that Wagenborg has decided to discontinue its thrice weekly Riga-Oxelösund route which it had started in early July. The route was loss-making and part of the financial risk was borne by Godby Shipping that supplied the 1,032-lanemetre MIDAS.

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GSI starts construction of Moby’s second ro-pax

GSI has cut the first steel for Moby's second ro-pax. © GSI

Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) has cut the first steel for what will become Moby’s second next-generation ro-pax ferry under construction at the Chinese yard.

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P&O Cruises takes delivery of LNG-powered IONA

IONA has been delivered but will only start cruising next year. © Herman IJsseling-Meyer Werft

P&O Cruises officially took delivery of the UK’s largest cruise ship yet built, the 185,000gt and 5,200-passenger capacity IONA, on 9 October from Meyer Werft. IONA is also the first British cruise ship to be powered by LNG, however, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will not enter service until early 2021.

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Incat launches NIDCO’s BUCCOO REEF

BUCCOO REEF has a capacity of 1,000 passengers and crew and 182 cars plus 175 freight lanemetres. © Incat Tasmania

Incat Tasmania has launched the 100m ro-pax wave piercing catamaran BUCCOO REEF it is building for Trinidad & Tobago’s National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO).

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STENA FORETELLER chartered for deep-sea ro-ro service

STENA FORETELLER has been chartered for deep-sea ro-ro service to West Africa. © Christian Costa

The number of medium-sized ro-ro vessels laid up is further dwindling as ships find new charters. Stena RoRo’s 3,000-lanemetre Stena 4-Runner Mk II Class STENA FORETELLER is the latest example, having left her lay-up berth in Uddevalla, Sweden, for Antwerp on 10 October.

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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

Selektope ® to protect new Mercy Ships hospital ship

I-Tech AB’s barnacle repelling biotechnology for marine coatings, Selektope® has been selected to protect the hull of Global Mercy, the newest hospital ship being built for Mercy Ships, from barnacle fouling while docked for long periods of time at ports located in biofouling red zones off the coast of sub-Saharan Africa.

Owen Sound Transportation Company awarded the contract to Hogia

In December 2019, Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC), one of Ontario’s largest ferry operators, issued a Request for Proposal for a new passenger and vehicle ferry reservation system. Following an evaluation process, the contract was awarded to Hogia Ferry Systems for delivery of their standard reservation system BOOKIT.

Høglund Marine Solutions takes two-thirds stake in wind-assisted car carrier project: Vindskip®

Marine technology provider Høglund Marine Solutions announced that it has taken a two-thirds stake in Vindskip AS, a company developing a wind and LNG-powered vessel concept. Børge Nogva, President of Høglund, has also become chairman of the board at Vindskip AS.

Toshiba to accelerate development of pure hydrogen fuel cell module for vessels and railroad vehicles

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) announced that it has signed an agreement with New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) on commissioned business for a multi-utility pure hydrogen fuel cell module for large modes of transport as a part of technology R&D programs for widespread implementation of fuel cells.

Manitou Group formalizes its partnership with NEOLINE to reduce its carbon footprint

Manitou Group has formalized its partnership with the innovative and eco-responsible company Neoline, which specializes in maritime transport via ro-ro cargo ships.

New Alfa Laval PureCool, developed with engine designer WinGD, enables up to 50% methane slip reduction

With IMO targeting a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, LNG is becoming a natural choice for shipowners in the transition to carbon-neutral fuels. Methane slip regulations are a possibility on the horizon, but Alfa Laval and global Swiss engine developer WinGD have already cooperated on a solution. The Alfa Laval PureCool system is the main component in WinGD’s iCER technology, an option for next-generation WinGD X-DF engines that slashes methane slip and significantly boosts fuel and energy efficiency.

Kongsberg to deliver integrated propulsion and manoeuvring system for two 230m RoPax vessels

Kongsberg Maritime is pleased to reveal that it has signed a contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) to deliver a propulsion and manoeuvring system for two 230m roll-on, roll-off passenger (RoPax) vessels for Finnlines.

Digital transformation set to produce Port of Gothenburg 2.0

With the aid of AI and digital linking, the Port of Gothenburg will become quicker, more cost-effective, and climate smart. A customised digital platform is due to be rolled out during the second half of 2021. It will enhance freight flow transparency and have a direct impact on productivity, lead times, and delivery capacity throughout the entire transport chain.

Rotterdam presents ambitious shore-based power strategy for sea-going vessels

The Municipality of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam Authority are working together on the joint rollout of shore-based power for sea-going vessels in Rotterdam. By 2030, they want a significant share of sea-going vessels to ‘plug in’ once they have moored along one of the port’s quays. This will allow them to power down their diesel generators while berthed – good news for local air quality and the vessels’ carbon footprint. Over the next five years, the partners will be initiating a series of projects that are intended to accelerate and scale up the adoption of shore-based power. Depending on the experiences gained in these projects, the Municipality and the Port Authority may adapt their targets in this area in 2025.

Attica Group introduces the 1 st AI ChatBot in the Greek Passenger Shipping Industry for its Seasmiles loyalty programme

Attica Group is dynamically following the global trend for digital transformation and is constantly investing in new technologies for the benefit of its customers. With the aim to enhance the service experience of the Seasmiles web site visitors, Attica Group introduces an innovative and automated communication solution. The service is pioneering for the Greek passenger shipping industry, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year offering simultaneous interaction for thousands of customers at the moment they need it.

PD Ports concludes multi-million pound Ro-Ro project at Teesport

PD Ports has recently completed a £3.36 million pound refurbishment project on its Number 1 Ro-Ro linkspan at Teesport that will support increasing volumes of global Ro-Ro traffic and further strengthen the Port’s position as the UK’s northern gateway for international trade.

TS Laevad OÜ, announces the competition “Conclusion of a Passenger Ferry Construction Contract”

The object of the competition is the conclusion of a contract for the construction of a passenger ferry in accordance with the competitions notice and competiton documents, its annexes and specifications.

Tallink temporarily suspends operation of Tallink Hotel Riga from 18 October 2020

Tallink Grupp has announced that it will temporarily suspend operations of the Tallink Hotel Riga from this Sunday, 18 October 2020 due to a significant drop in guest numbers and bookings for the near future as a result of new travel restrictions in place in Latvia and neighbouring countries. The new travel restrictions have been imposed once again by governments in the region as the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Europe is worsening and the infection rates are yet again on the increase.

Bright outlook at Gibdock as bookings remain solid

Ship repair activity at Gibdock has continued to be rock solid, despite uncertainties through the first three quarters of 2020 relating to Covid-19 and Brexit. Occupancy levels remain high, contracts continue to be agreed and scheduled dry dockings are already booked into 2021, the Gibraltar-based yard reports.

Tersan Goes Green for Sustainable Future

Tersan Shipyard who has a 300.000 square meters advanced production facility located in Yalova, Turkey with the consumption of 2 million KWh electric per month, entered into a contract with Selenka Energy for the usage of % 100 renewable energy generated from IREC certificated (International Renewable Energy Certificate) wind farms. I-REC certificated wind farms guarantees that the energy supplied to the final consumer is provided from renewable sources and are recognized by the main global sustainability indices as a tool that helps to meet national and international renewable energy goals. Usage of % 100 renewable green energy in the shipyard has started from September 2020, where 5 vessels delivery will take place within this year.

Changes in Ulstein Group management roles

From 2 November there will be changes in the Ulstein Group management. After almost 22 years as CEO, Gunvor Ulstein has decided to step down from her operational role. Going forward, Gunvor and Tore Ulstein will concentrate on the longer-term possibilities for Ulstein. They are happy to welcome the CFO, Cathrine K. Marti, as new CEO.

Freight keeps rolling on with Brittany Ferries

It may have been a season to forget for passenger traffic, but Brittany Ferries says that freight has kept on rolling this year. The company which serves France, Spain, Ireland and the UK has had a steady 2020 and is looking forward to 2021, with positive signs from the marketplace.

MV WERFTEN secures EUR 193 million to Complete Crystal Endeavor and fund Shipyard Operations till March 2021

MV WERFTEN announced this week that the yard has received an EUR 193 million loan to complete the CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR for delivery and keep the shipyard operations till March 2021. MV WERFTEN and all its employees are very appreciative of the support of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the Federal authorities in receiving this support. All the funds from the loans will be used in Germany for MV WERFTEN´s shipyards.