Shippax Newsletter– week 14
Nankai Ferry to go out of business in 2028
FERRY I
Nankai Electric Railway announced on 30 March 2026, that its 100%-owned subsidiary, Nankai Ferry, will withdraw from the ferry business by the end of March 2028.
Nankai Ferry was founded in 1975 and has operated the Wakayama–Tokushima route. Currently, the vessels FERRY KATSURAGI and FERRY I serve the route between Honshu and Shikoku.
Lifeboats can be unstable in some emergency scenarios
EU testing of six lifeboats for stability showed that some are at risk of becoming flooded when not fully loaded and passengers are all seated on one side. This was the outcome of a testing campaign organised by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW).
The Port of Gothenburg aquire land for westward expansion
The Port of Gothenburg has acquired a large area located in the port's outer areas. The agreement – signed on Tuesday morning with the seller Platzer – creates conditions for the continuation of the port's long-term plan for further expansion of the port. The total transaction value, which also includes a minor property sale, amounts to SEK 684 million.
DFDS charters CIUDAD DE VALENCIA for the Baltics
CIUDAD DE VALENCIA
From mid-September, DFDS will significantly strengthen freight and passenger services on the Karlshamn-Klaipeda route with the introduction of newly chartered vessel CIUDAD DE VALENCIA. The 2,566 lanemetre/950 passenger “Visentini” RoPax will almost triple passenger capacity compared to the ship it replaces, while also providing additional freight space.
Baleària awarded concession for new port terminal in Barcelona
The Port of Barcelona approved the concession for the construction and operation of the future passenger and RoRo cargo terminal, on Adossat wharf, to Baleària for operation of its own ships. The concession was granted after a request for this terminal in December 2024, accompanied by the construction and operating project.
NORRÖNA gains access to shore power during calls in Iceland
NORRÖNA © Sören Lund Hviid
Port of Seyðisfjörður, where Faroese Smyril Line calls weekly for eight months a year as part of the North Atlantic route between Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland, can now offer shore power. ShoreLink has supplied a shore power system to the port, enabling Smyril Line's ferry NORRÖNA to shut down its auxiliary engines while alongside.
Baleària’s acquisition of Armas assets approved by competition authority
Spain's National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) has approved, in a second phase, two transactions through which Baleària acquires exclusive control of certain Armas Trasmediterránea assets in the Canary Islands and the Strait of Gibraltar.
Brittany Ferries confirms its growth momentum in Guernsey
VOYAGER © Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries has a particularly encouraging assessment of its first year of activity in Guernsey, marked by a significant increase in traffic and a consolidation of its presence on routes to the Channel Islands, and is now looking ahead to a new phase of growth.
Since winning its 15-year contract with the States of Guernsey and launching routes from France (St Malo) and the UK (Portsmouth and Poole) to Guernsey and the neighbouring island of Jersey a year ago, the Company has recorded encouraging results. In 2025, the total number of passengers carried to Guernsey increased by +29% compared to 2024, confirming the growing attractiveness of these routes.
DFDS expands capacity on Rosslare-Dunkirk route with third vessel
VICTORIA SEAWAYS © Frank Lose
From September, DFDS will offer seven weekly roundtrips on the Rosslare-Dunkirk route by adding a third vessel to the route to provide increased capacity for freight operators and more travel options for passengers during the holiday season.
DFDS will significantly strengthen its Rosslare–Dunkirk route this September with the addition of two extra weekly roundtrips. The third vessel will join ATHENA SEAWAYS and VICTORIA SEAWAYS, which already operate on the route.
Austal Vietnam launches 71-metre RoPax vessel for The Degage Group of French Polynesia
Austal Vietnam has successfully launched Hull 426, DORY2, a 71-metre RoPax vessel for The Degage Group of French Polynesia.
Featuring a steel monohull and aluminium superstructure, DORY2 has been purpose-designed for inter-island operations and will accommodate up to 140 passengers and 17 crew. The vessel includes a 494 square metre cargo deck, capable of transporting containers, palletised freight and vehicles, providing a highly flexible logistics solution for the region.
SCILLONIAN IV takes to the water for the first time
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group is celebrating a major milestone in the construction of SCILLONIAN IV as the state-of-the-art passenger ferry was officially launched on Saturday 28th March 2026.
The 75m vessel, which has the capacity to carry 600 passengers, will replace SCILLONIAN III in March 2027, heralding the start of a new era of travel to the Isles of Scilly.
Incat Crowther to design 80-metre high-speed catamaran for Korea Express Ferry
Incat Crowther has been contracted by South Korean shipbuilder Kangnam Corporation to design an 80-metre high-speed catamaran RoPax ferry for Korea Express Ferry (KEF). The vessel is intended for routes connecting Incheon Metropolitan City with the Yellow Sea islands of Daecheongdo, Baengnyeongdo, and Socheongdo in Ongjin County, South Korea.
Carnival Corporation reports record first quarter 2026 results
Carnival Corporation & plc announced record first-quarter 2026 operating results on 27 March, driven by strong demand, higher yields and robust close-in bookings. The cruise operator posted revenues of USD 6,165 million, up from USD 5,810 million in the prior-year period, marking the highest first-quarter top line in company history.
Net income attributable to Carnival Corporation & plc reached USD 258 million, swinging from a loss of USD 78 million a year earlier. Adjusted net income totaled USD 275 million, while adjusted earnings per share rose 50 percent to USD 0.20 from USD 0.13. Adjusted EBITDA hit a first-quarter record of approximately USD 1,300 million. Gross margin yields increased nearly 10 percent, and net yields in constant currency rose 2.7 percent, beating December guidance by more than one point.
Özata Shipyard launches electric ferry for Torghatten Nord
Turkish shipbuilder Özata Shipyard has successfully launched NB102 FLØYTIND, the second of three fully electric ferry in a series ordered by Norwegian operator Torghatten Nord AS.
The vessel, designed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company, measures 76.85 metres in length and 15.50 metres in beam. It can carry 60 vehicles and 202 passengers (including crew) and is equipped with a dual battery system totalling 1,960 kWh (2 × 980 kWh) for zero-emission operations.
MENAWETHAN sets sail on landmark delivery journey to Penzance
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group's new purpose-built freight vessel, MENAWETHAN, has departed the shipyard in Vietnam and begun her delivery voyage to the UK this morning.
The journey to Penzance is expected to take around 72 days, weather permitting. The route will take MENAWETHAN via the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, with four bunker stops en route.
Most read
Last month. Don't miss the 2026 Shippax Ferry Conference!!! (Upd.1 Apr)
apr 02 2026
Tallink Grupp signs long-term bareboat charter for SUPERFAST IX starting May 2026
mar 26 2026
DFDS expands capacity on Rosslare-Dunkirk route with third vessel
mar 31 2026
SCILLONIAN IV takes to the water for the first time
mar 31 2026
Smyril Line is developing new RoPax tonnage
mar 23 2026
CORSICA linea takes delivery of its second new LNG-powered vessel, CAPU ROSSU
mar 26 2026
DFDS charters CIUDAD DE VALENCIA for the Baltics
apr 01 2026
Contract signed for freight flex vessels
mar 25 2026
