Shippax Newsletter– week 10
Due to a technical issue, last week's newsletter was not sent. We apologize for this. However, this week's newsletter includes all the news published on our website from the last two weeks.
We wish you a great week!
“Use Funds Where They Are Collected” - Interferry Welcomes EU Industrial Maritime Strategy
Interferry, the global voice of the ferry industry, strongly endorsed the European Commission's launch of the Industrial Maritime Strategy and the inherent critical recognition of the ferry sector's strategic importance. Notably, the push for Member States to reinvest EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) revenues into maritime decarbonization aligns directly with Interferry's long-standing recommendations.
Irish Continental Group delivered a robust 2025
JAMES JOYCE © George Holland
In the Ferries Division, revenue grew 7.4% to EUR 465.5 million, with EBITDA up 9.9% to EUR 120.7 million and operating profit rising 19.9% to EUR 65.2 million. Passenger numbers fell 2.5% to approximately 2.99 million, and car carryings declined 3.9% to 679,700, but RoRo freight units increased 6.5% to 816,700, highlighting resilience in freight demand.
Oki Kisen to debut FERRY SHIGESA in 2027
Oki Wide Area Union, consisting of town and village communities on Oki Islands and Shimane Prefectural Government, and Oki Kisen will launch the 98-metre FERRY SHIGESA in spring of 2027. FERRY SHIGESA will run on the routes linking Oki islands, Shichirui and Sakaiminato in Shimane prefecture, Japan, and replace the 1995-built FERRY SHIRASHIMA.
Don’t get stuck on the shore—join the rest on board!
There are now only two months left until the 2026 Shippax Ferry Conference, and over 400 delegates are booked. Secure a seat before we are sold out!
Meet: RoPax, RoRo and High-Speed ferry operators and shipowners, shipyards, ports, shipbrokers, naval architects, designers, classification societies, trade associations, interest groups, regulators, banks, financial institutions and suppliers, etc.
WHERE? GNV’S RHAPSODY
ROUTE? Genoa - Olbia and return
WHEN? 5-7 May 2026
Shippax Ferry Conference - where everyone’s at!
Heart Land Ferry to introduce a new ship in 2027
AMAPOLA SOYA © Heart Land Ferry
Wakkanai-based Heart Land Ferry announced that a new ship will enter service on the Wakkanai, Hokkaido-Rebun Island-Rishiri Island route early in spring of 2027.
The new ship will be a sister ship to AMAPOLA SOYA, which entered service in February 2019. The existing BOREAS SOYA, which entered service in August 2003, will be replaced.
Finnlines reported stronger 2025 financial results
FINNCANOPUS © Janne-Petteri Kumpulainen
Thomas Doepel, President and CEO, in conjunction with the review: "From a financial perspective, 2025 was a stable year for Finnlines. The Finnlines Group's revenue in January–December 2025 amounted to EUR 713.5 (699.3 in 2024) million, and the company's financial position remained strong. The rationalisation of the RoRo fleet and investments in passenger traffic laid the foundation for a satisfactory result.
Minor fire on the car deck of SILJA SERENADE
SILJA SERENADE © Kai Ortel
During the night between 2 and 3 March, a fire broke out on the car deck of SILJA SERENADE. The fire started in an open-top trailer carrying metal scrap, causing heavy smoke on the car deck shortly before the ferry's scheduled nighttime arrival in Mariehamn in the Åland Islands, while en route from Helsinki to Stockholm.
Avora Residences charters SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR for Residential Cruising as LUMINA
Avora Residences has chartered the SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, thereby expanding the residential cruise category into a new premium tier. The vessel will debut in January 2028 as Avora LUMINA, serving as the flagship of Avora's residential platform designed specifically for long-term living at sea.
Fincantieri secures order from Viking for two new expedition vessels
VIKING OCTANTIS © Viking
Fincantieri announces the acquisition of an order from Viking for the construction of two expedition vessels. In addition, the two companies also signed an agreement for an option for two ocean ships. The value of these agreements, subject to financing and other typical terms and conditions, is considered very important, meaning according to Fincantieri a value of over EUR 2 billion.
Two additional CalMac newbuilds may be on their way to Ferguson
Ferguson Marine Shipyard and GLEN ROSA © Maritime Photographic
The Scottish Government has announced its intention to directly award Ferguson Marine the contracts to build four vessels. The package of vessels as part of the proposed award includes two CalMac passenger ferries for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) and is part of the second phase of the Scottish Government's Small Vessel Replacement Programme.
UECC expands fleet with order for two 3,000 CEU multi-fuel battery hybrid PCTCs
Illustration © UECC
United European Car Carriers (UECC) is further expanding its fleet of PCTCs with the order of two additional multi-fuel battery hybrid newbuilds at a Chinese shipyard that will boost its cargo-carrying capacity and flexibility in the European short sea trade.
The latest newbuilding contract is for a pair of 3,000 CEU-capacity PCTCs to be constructed at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Nanjing where UECC already has on order two larger 4500 CEU units with similar specifications that are due for delivery in 2028.
Baleària expands its high-speed fleet with the acquisition of a trimaran
Baleària expands its high-speed fleet with the purchase of a fast ferry launched in 2015 and which it will baptize with the name of the renowned Catalan scientist PEPITA CASTELLVI. The trimaran is 102 metres long and 27 metres wide, with capacity for 870 passengers and 250 vehicles, in addition to 190 lane metres for cargo, and can reach a speed of 35 knots.
SCA aims for 40 per cent lower emissions from RoRo vessels
SCA ORTVIKEN
From 1 October 2026, SCA is making changes to its sea transport operations using RoRo vessels by reducing speed, increasing load factors on the vessels, and making some adjustments to how the ports of Umeå and Piteå are utilised. One effect of these changes is that emissions from the vessels will be reduced by approximately 40 per cent.
Two Norwegian owners take over the entire ownership of Fjord Line
STAVANGERFJORD © Fjord Line
For over thirty years, Fjord Line has sailed between Norway and Denmark. Now the ownership of the Norwegian ferry company is being gathered in two family-owned, Norwegian companies. The existing owners Kontrari and West Coast Invest will take over Ferd's share of Fjord Line and will thus own the Norwegian ferry company with an equal share of 50% each.
ARROW long-term chartered to provide dedicated logistics support to energy project
ARROW © Frank Lose
The Isle of Man Steam Packet-owned freight RoRo ARROW has been taken on long-term charter by the UK-based international infrastructure group Balfour Beatty to provide dedicated logistics support for SSEN Transmission's Lewis Hub and Western Isles High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Link in Scotland.
The charter of a dedicated vessel for the project not only strengthens project delivery but will also help safeguard Caledonian MacBrayne's (CalMac's) existing Stornoway-Ullapool ferry service.
Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö posts record results for 2025 with highest operating profit ever
FJÄRDVÄGEN, formerly SAILOR, acquired last year from Tallink Grupp © Jukka Huotari
Åland-based ferry operator Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö has reported its strongest full-year performance in history for 2025, with record passenger and cargo volumes, a 5% rise in net sales, and the highest operating profit ever achieved.
Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö, operator of Eckerö Linjen and Eckerö Line services, announced exceptional results for the year ended 31 December 2025. Net sales grew 5% to EUR 234.8 million (from EUR 222.9 million in 2024), supported by strong demand across its northern Baltic routes.
EXPRESS 5 on its way to dock
EXPRESS 5 © Søren Lund Hviid
Bornholm's fast ferry, EXPRESS 5, will sail until midnight on Sunday towards its statutory stay in the dock at Orskov Yard in Frederikshavn. Among other things, a brand-new antifouling paint awaits here, which will save fuel and CO2.
Industrial Maritime Strategy must earmark national ETS revenues to support the availability of clean fuels for shipping, The Clean Maritime Fuels Platform says
The energy transition of the shipping sector is vital to Europe's climate goals and industrial leadership. European shipping is a strategic sector for Europe, carrying 76% of the EU's external trade and ensuring security of supply of energy, food and goods. The Platform stresses that building a reliable supply chain for renewable and low-carbon fuels in Europe is a priority to make the European industrial cluster more competitive, to provide shipping with the clean fuels needed for the energy transition and to strengthen Europe's energy security.
Tallink's vessel VICTORIA I to undergo scheduled maintenance
VICTORIA I © Uwe Jakob
On 1 March, Tallink's vessel VICTORIA I will head to the regular drydock in Naantali, Finland. Thorough works await the underwater part of the ship, also a new additional passenger entrance will be constructed. During the dry docking period from 1 to 14 March, travelling between Tallinn and Helsinki will be possible with the shuttle ships MYSTAR and MEGASTAR.
Baleària improves its turnover and EBITDA figures in 2025 thanks to the boost from its international routes
Adolfo Utor © Baleària
Baleària closed the 2025 financial year with robust financial results. The company achieved a turnover of EUR 801 million (+16%), EBITDA of EUR 170 million (+29%) and a profit for the year of EUR 63 million (+152%). In 2025, Baleària transported 6.5 million passengers (+15%) and 1.6 million vehicles (+11%), meaning that it has doubled its number of customers over the last decade. At the same time, Baleària has transported 10% more cargo, totalling 8.4 million lane metres (equivalent to around 622,000 lorries)
VIKING GLORY celebrate four years and four million passengers
VIKING GLORY © Viking Line
VIKING GLORY is turning four years and has already served nearly four million passengers on its Turku–Stockholm route. VIKING GLORY departed from the Port of Turku for Stockholm on its maiden voyage on 1 March 2022. The new vessel symbolized how travel was cautiously beginning to open up again after years of the COVID pandemic and immediately became a favourite with travellers.
Fincantieri delivers FOUR SEASONS I
Fincantieri delivered FOUR SEASONS I, the first ultra-luxury hospitality vessel for Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Joint Owner/Operator of Four Seasons Yachts, at its Ancona shipyard. With its all-suite, residential style product, FOUR SEASONS I sets a new frontier for ultra-luxury hospitality at sea. The 34,000 GT and 207 metres vessel features just 95 exclusive suites, each designed as a private sanctuary overlooking the ocean.
Peep Jalakas appointed as new Tallink Grupp CEO
The Supervisory Board of AS Tallink Grupp has appointed Peep Jalakas as the new CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of the Group. His term will begin on 6 April 2026, and will last for three years. As of 27 February, Margus Schults will step down from the Group's Management Board and will continue working in the company as the head of the Finnish unit.
Brim Explorer orders two battery-powered trimaran passenger vessels
Tourism and technology company Brim Explorer has signed contracts for the construction of what they call "the world's most efficient battery-powered passenger vessels". The two high-speed trimarans are scheduled for delivery in spring 2027. With capacity for 180 guests, the two new zero(direct)-emission vessels will be used for emission-free, silent sightseeing and experience cruises in some of Norway's most spectacular areas.
Corvus Energy battery systems selected by ABB for Washington State Ferries
Corvus Energy announced that the company has been selected by ABB's Marine & Ports division to supply battery energy storage systems (ESS) for two new hybrid electric ferries for Washinton State Ferries. The contract also includes an option for a third vessel.
Paavo Nõgene to step down as CEO of AS Tallink Grupp
AS Tallink Grupp has informed the stock exchange that Paavo Nõgene, who has led Tallink for eight years, will step down from his position this coming spring. His final day as a member of the Management Board will be 22 May 2026.
SWITCH Maritime and Incat Crowther advance 150-passenger hydrogen fuel cell electric fast ferry for New York and beyond
Incat Crowther has begun detailed development and naval architecture on a hydrogen fuel cell-electric fast ferry design, with initial deployment targeted for New York waters. Incat Crowther is working on the design and regulatory approval process for the new 28-metre vessel in partnership with zero-emission vessel developer SWITCH Maritime (SWITCH).
Most read
Don’t get stuck on the shore—join the rest on board! (Upd.3 Mar)
mar 02 2026
Two Norwegian owners take over the entire ownership of Fjord Line
mar 02 2026
Corvus Energy battery systems selected by ABB for Washington State Ferries
feb 24 2026
Paavo Nõgene to step down as CEO of AS Tallink Grupp
feb 20 2026
VIKING GLORY celebrate four years and four million passengers
feb 27 2026
ARROW long-term chartered to provide dedicated logistics support to energy project
mar 01 2026
SWITCH Maritime and Incat Crowther advance 150-passenger hydrogen fuel cell electric fast ferry for New York and beyond
feb 20 2026
Peep Jalakas appointed as new Tallink Grupp CEO
feb 26 2026
