Shippax Newsletter– week 15
Eckerö Group invests further in energy optimization initiatives
FINBO CARGO
Eckerö Group plans to install 120 solar panels onboard the company's RoPax ferry FINBO CARGO. The installation is expected to contribute approximately 70 MWh annually to the vessel's operations.
Eckerö Group has entered a contract with Åland-based Solel Åland, which will retrofit the solar panels onboard ahead of this year's summer season. This was announced by Eckerö Group in connection with the group's 2025 financial results.
DFDS charters AL ANDALUS EXPRESS
AL ANDALUS EXPRESS © Frank Lose
DFDS has chartered the RoPax ferry AL ANDALUS EXPRESS. The vessel, built in 1988, with a capacity of 1,257 lanemetres and 200 passengers, and formerly a railway ferry, was deployed by DFDS on 6 April on the route across the Strait of Gibraltar between Algeciras and Tangier Med.
Companies booked as of 9 April (+220 unique companies):
A Ships Management, ABB, Actemium, ADAC Pharos, Adria RoRo 1, Aferry, Alpha Trading, Anda-Olsen, Anhui Sunny Electric Group, Anschütz, Aros Marine, Asenav, Assa Abloy, Attica Group, Augustea Ship Manning, Auramarine, Austal Ships, B cool, Balearia, Bassoe Technology, Baze Technology, Berg Propulsion, Beurteaux, BLRT Grupp Western Baltija Shipbuilding, BLRT Repair Yards, BoCS Consulting, Brax Shipping, Brittany Ferries, BRS, Brunvoll Volda, Bureau Veritas, Carus, Caterpillar, Cemre Shipyard, Cetasol, Clarksons, Cold pad, Corsica Ferries, Corvus Energy, Cotenaval, CSSC Cruise Technology Development, Damen Shipyards, Deltamarin, Desmi Pumping Technology, DFDS, DNV, Echandia Marine, Eckerö Group, E-Dea, Ehrenberg Sørensen Kommunikation, Eknes, Elomatic Consulting & Engineering, Enrico Scolaro Shipbrokers, Ensemble, Everllence, Ferry Systems, FerryHawk, Filmbankmedia (Warner Bros), Finnish Shipowners Association, Fjord Line, Flexipax Marine Digital Keys, Foreship, FRS GmbH & Co KG, FSG S+O Design, FSG Shipyard, GCE Blue Maritime Cluster, Georg Fischer Piping Systems, Glamox, GNV, GNW Power, Godby Shipping, Gondan Shipbuilders, Gotland Tech Development, Grendi, Grifone, Grimaldi Group, Guangzhou Shipyard International, Hammarship, Harmony Marine Solutions, Harpain Shipping, Hogia Ferry Systems, Hogia Terminal Systems, Holman Fenwick Willan, Houlder, Hull Vane, Hullbot, Hydro Extrusions, Incat Tasmania, Ingeteam, Interferry, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Jets Vacuum, KAM SG Pte., Knud E. Hansen, Kongsberg Maritime, Krohne Italia, La Méridionale, Lagersmit, LEK Consulting, Liferaft Systems Australia, Liknoss, Lloyd's Register, LMG Marin, Loipart, Maatsuyker, MacGregor, Macholl & Specht, Malta Shipbrokers, Manta Marine Technologies, Mareneco, MariApps, Marioff, Maritime Montering Group, Mason Shipbrokers, Mauric, Maxicaster, Mercy Ships, Metizoft, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Mobitech, Moby, MTN, Naos Ship & Boat Design, NAPA, Navitaship, NIT Naval Interior Team, Noatum Maritime Services, Nordic Air Defence, Nordic HSC, Nortal, Nortech AI, North Sea Offshore, Nowhere Networks, OceanWings, Orbyt Global, OSK Design, OSM Maritime, P&O Ferries, Port of Helsinki, Port of Turku, Porto Santo Line, Priceff, PureteQ, Quantum Marine Stabilizers, Quvia, R&M Group, Rauma Marine Constructions, Red Funnel, Rederi AB Eckerö, Remontowa Shipbuilding, Rina, Ripple Operations, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Rolls-Royce Solutions, Rostock Port, Royal Institution of Naval Architects, Sahal Global Logistics, Saint Gobain, Salto Systems, Sat-Elite, Scandlines, Schottel, SDARI (Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute), Sea Ahead Marine, Sea Highways, Seacoach Boat Company, Seacore, Seajets, Seat Innovation, SEMS S.r.L., SEPD, Shippax, ShoreLink, Silverstream Technologies, Simsonship Shipbrokers, SMC Design, Solvay, Speedcast, Steerprop, Stena Line, Stena RoRo, Stena Teknik, Stucke Elektronik, Surikat, Tallink Grupp, Tallink Silja, Tampnet, Telenor Maritime, Tersan Shipyard, The Lab at Brookes Bell, thilles consulting, Trelleborg Industrial Products, Trident BMC, TS Laevad, TT-Line, Ulmatec Thermal Solutions, UME Shipping, Unifire, Unitramp, Valmet Automation, Venture Ship Management Europe, Vertti & Co, VICUS Desarrollos Tecnológicos, VID Firekill, Viking Line, Voith, Vullpo Smart Solutions, Wabtec, Wallenius SOL, Wasaline, WE Tech Solutions, Weasel Software, West Mekan Produksjon, Wight Shipyard, Wightlink, WMS, Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei Föhr-Amrum, Wärtsilä, Zelim, Zeppelin Power Systems, Zinus
Echandia to supply battery system for Gotlandsbolaget’s new hybrid vessel
Echandia has signed an agreement with Gotlandsbolaget to supply a battery system for a new hybrid high-speed catamaran operating between Visby and Nynäshamn. The battery system is designed for a 20-year service life. The new vessel, GOTLAND HORIZON X, will have capacity for up to 400 cars and 1,500 passengers, and will be constructed by the Australian shipbuilder Austal Limited. The vessel is expected to be delivered from the shipyard in mid-2028.
PETER PAN became the first ferry to bunker LNG ship-to-ship in Lithuania
Avenir Ascension supplied LNG to the dual-fuel RoPax ferry PETER PAN, owned and operated by TT-Line. For several years, Avenir has supported TT-Line's operations across ports in Sweden and Germany.
According to Avenir, expanding the collaboration to Klaipeda marks an important next step, strengthening security of supply for alternative marine fuels in the Baltic region as the LNG bunkering of PETER PAN represents the first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering of a ferry in Lithuania.
Record Easter week for Fred. Olsen Express on the Canary Islands
BAJAMAR EXPRESS © Frank Lose
Fred. Olsen Express has concluded the Easter period with record figures for passenger and vehicle traffic on the Canary Islands. Between Friday, 27 March, and Sunday, 5 April, the company transported a total of 166,000 passengers, representing a 6% increase compared to the same holiday period in 2025.
Finnlines’ Sweden–Poland route marks two full year of operation
FINNFELLOW
Since launching its ferry route between Malmö and Swinoujscie on 10 April 2024, Finnlines has transported over 200,000 passengers and drivers in its first two years of operation. In 2025, July was the strongest month, followed by August. Passenger numbers during the summer increased by 39% compared to the same period in 2024.
First Heysham-Max in full CLdN livery
CLdN's Heysham-Max RoRo PERFORMANCE became the first of the four former Seatruck Ferries sister vessels, built in 2011/12 at Flensburg, to appear in full CLdN livery. At the end of March, PERFORMANCE departed the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast following a scheduled dry docking and 15-year survey, newly painted in CLdN's colours.
ANDROS KING in extensive renovation ahead of deployment at the end of May
Golden Star Ferries' ANDROS KING is expected to be deployed on the company's route from Rafina to the northern and central Cyclades (Andros/Tinos/Mykonos) at the end of May. The vessel, built in 2006, was purchased as VOLCAN DE TABURIENTE from Naviera Armas for EUR 20 million back in July 2024.
Strait Link now fully owned by infrastructure investor
TASMANIAN ACHIEVER II © Strait Link
Strait Link has confirmed its completion of sale to global infrastructure investor Igneo Infrastructure Partners. Strait Link plays a critical role in linking Tasmania with mainland Australia, supporting local industries and enabling businesses to access markets beyond the island.
The company, which holds a market share on the Bass Strait at around 45%, operates the two 2018-built sister vessels VICTORIAN RELIANCE II and TASMANIAN ACHIEVER II, each with a capacity of 2,994 lanemetres between Melbourne (mainland) and Burnie (Tasmania).
KAI YUAN KOU delivered to Santoku Senpaku
Chinese Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry delivered the KAI YUAN KOU to the Japanese tonnage provider Santoku Senpaku. KAI YUAN KOU is the fourth of a total of six 7,500 CEU dual-fuel LNG PCTCs ordered by Santoku Senpaku at Xiamen Shipbuilding.
As with the previous three units, GUANG WU KOU, KAI YUAN KOU, and ZHEN GUAN KOU - KAI YUAN KOU will also be deployed by Guangzhou Yuanhai Automobile Shipping, a COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers-controlled joint-venture.
The RoRo space rocket carrier SPACESHIP has been launched
US-based Bollinger Shipyards has launched the specialised RoRo newbuilding SPACESHIP, ordered by the United Launch Alliance (ULA). SPACESHIP is the most recent rocket carrier designed and built by Bollinger Shipyards.
The vessel follows in the footsteps of ROCKETSHIP, which has been transporting Atlas V components since 2011.
Two shipyard bids for a replacement for the veteran ferry REGULA
REGULA © Uwe Jakob
The Estonia state-controlled ferry tonnage-owner Riigilaevastik received two bids for the design and construction tender of the fifth ferry for the TS Laevad-operated routes between Virtsu and Kuivastu, and between Rohuküla and Heltermaa. The bids were submitted to Riigilaevastik by the Polish shipyard CRIST S.A. and the Estonian company Baltic Workboats AS together with UAB Vakaru Baltijos Laivu Statykla.
A NEPITA to become ILE ROUGE in Canada
Marine Atlantic announced that A NEPITA will operate under the name ILE ROUGE during its five-year charter from Stena RoRo. The name ILE ROUGE reflects the deep French history of Newfoundland and Labrador and recognizes the Francophone community within the province, the operator states.
Siem buys LAKE KIVU from Eastern Pacific Shipping
Siem has acquired the 4,888 CEU LAKE KIVU from Eastern Pacific Shipping. The PCTC, built in 2006, was taken over at the end of March and now operates under the name SIEM NEWTON for Siem Car Carriers.
Third EMF-financed PCTC delivered
ECO STAR
Atlas Maritime took delivery of ECO STAR from CIMC Raffles in China. The 7,000 CEU Ammonia-Ready, LNG dual-fuel PCTC is the third of four vessels in a series contracted on behalf of EMF (European Maritime Finance).
The first two newbuildings in the series, UGR AL SAMHA and UGR ZAKHER, now owned by UGR (United Global Ro-Ro), were delivered in the first and second quarters of 2025, respectively. Atlas Maritime is expected to take delivery of the fourth and final vessel, TBN: CLEAN STAR, in July this year.
Irish Continental Group delivers strong revenue and profit growth in 2025
ISLE OF INNISFREE © Richard Seville
Irish Continental Group (ICG) has published its Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025, reporting solid double-digit growth in revenue, EBITDA and operating profit compared with the prior year.
The Ferries Division (including Irish Ferries) recorded revenue of EUR 465.5 million, a 7.4% increase on EUR 433.5 million in 2024, with EBITDA rising 9.9% to EUR 120.7 million. Passenger, car and on-board revenues grew 7.3%, while RoRo freight revenue was up 6.7%.
POLSCA Baltic Ferries started operation
Three shipowners, one brand, and a shared destination — Scandinavia. That became a reality on 30 March 2026, where the joint-venture company Polsca S.A. officially began operations, consolidating ticket sales, fleet management, and route networks from Polferries, Unity Line, and Euroafrica under the POLSCA Baltic Ferries banner.
Tender out for the replacement for LORD OF THE ISLES
LORD OF THE ISLES © Frank Lose
On 1 April, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. (CMAL) issued a tender for a RoPax newbuilding to replace the 1989-built LORD OF THE ISLES. The new ferry will primarily operate on the route between Lochboisdale on South Uist and Mallaig on the mainland.
Signed between RINA and Hanwha an agreement to promote the adoption of battery-hybrid propulsion systems
RINA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hanwha Group, through its key affiliates Hanwha Power Systems (now Hanwha Power), Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Engine, with the aim of promoting the adoption of advanced battery hybrid propulsion systems in the maritime sector, particularly in the RoRo ferry segment.
Peep Jalakas assumes role as CEO of AS Tallink Grupp
On 6 April, Peep Jalakas assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of AS Tallink Grupp. The Group's Supervisory Board appointed Jalakas as the company's new CEO in February, and his term of office will last for three years.
Most read
More than 220 unique companies booked. Don't miss - join you too! (Upd.12 Apr)
apr 12 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
DFDS charters CIUDAD DE VALENCIA for the Baltics
apr 01 2026
DFDS charters AL ANDALUS EXPRESS
apr 09 2026
Baleària’s acquisition of Armas assets approved by competition authority
apr 01 2026
Nankai Ferry to go out of business in 2028
apr 02 2026
Incat Crowther to design 80-metre high-speed catamaran for Korea Express Ferry
mar 31 2026
