Shippax Newsletter– week 24
World's first ship tunnel moves into construction phase
The Stad Ship Tunnel has received official approval for construction, with NOK 150 million allocated in Norway's Revised National Budget for project start-up, whilst the total cost framework has been set at NOK 8.6 billion. The Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket) can now proceed with contract signing and commence construction activities.
Finnlines' Sweden–Poland route celebrates 200,000 passenger milestone
Finnlines' Malmö–Swinoujscie route has welcomed over 200,000 passengers since launch in April 2024, marking significant growth in direct Sweden–Poland connectivity. The Swedish Ambassador to Poland visited FINNFELLOW to celebrate the milestone, highlighting the route's importance for tourism, business travel and trade between the two countries.
DFDS reports mixed May growth as freight steadies but passengers decline
DFDS transported 3.6 million freight lane metres in May 2026, down 1.8% year-on-year, though adjusted for route changes the decline was 1.7%. Regionally, North Sea and Baltic volumes improved, whilst Mediterranean performance weakened partly due to Turkish public holidays. The Strait of Gibraltar and Egypt–Tunisia routes showed continued strength.
MOL and JAL to develop certification pathway for Seaglider vessels in Japan
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Japan Airlines (JAL) have entered an agreement with Lloyd's Register and REGENT Craft Inc. to jointly develop certification and operational approval processes for REGENT's fully electric Seaglider vessels in Japan.
Samsø Rederi enters vessel charter agreement with Molslinjen
MERCANDIA IV © Søren Lund Hviid
Samsø Municipality, which operates ferry services between the Danish Kattegat island of Samsø and the ports of Hou and Aarhus in Jutland through its municipal ferry company Samsø Rederi, has entered into a vessel charter agreement with Molslinjen.
The agreement covers the 1989-built RoPax ferry MERCANDIA IV, which normally serves as the fourth ferry on Molslinjen's (Øresundslinjen's) route across the Øresund between Helsingør and Helsingborg.
SUPERFAST V deployed on the Adriatic Sea
On 8 June, Superfast Ferries deployed SUPERFAST V on the company's Adriatic service between Venice, Patras, and Igoumenitsa. Earlier this year, Attica Group, of which Superfast Ferries is one of the group's brands, chartered the 2021-built Visentini RoPax ferry SUPERFAST V (formerly GNV BRIDGE) from GNV for a period of four years, with a purchase obligation at the end of the charter term.
Port of Turku modernisation drives green shipping corridor with Viking Line
Port of Turku is undertaking a EUR 200 million-plus modernisation programme, including construction of the joint Fregatten terminal, which will open in 2028 to serve up to 8,000 daily passengers from VIKING GLORY and VIKING GRACE.
The new facility will streamline operations for both Viking Line and Tallink Silja. VIKING GLORY and VIKING GRACE's new berth S2 will feature automated vacuum-based mooring systems to accelerate vessel arrivals and departures.
Royal Caribbean takes delivery of LEGEND OF THE SEAS from Meyer Turku
LEGEND OF THE SEAS and HERO OF THE SEAS behind © Jukka Huotari
Royal Caribbean has officially taken delivery of LEGEND OF THE SEAS, the third Icon Class ship built at Meyer Turku's Turku shipyard in Finland. The handover ceremony was attended by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty, President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm.
Neptune Lines placed further two orders at Fujian Mawei
NEPTUNE PIREAS, first in class
Neptune Lines has signed a newbuilding contract with Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding for further two 4,200 CEU dual-fuel PCTCs, scheduled for delivery in 2029. The DNV-classed vessels will have an overall length of 177.8 metres.
Marathon acquires Omborddata and Panasoft
Marathon Software has acquired Sweden's Omborddata AB and Finland's Panasoft Oy. The combined group becomes a Nordic provider of specialised software for crew management and payroll administration for the maritime industry. The acquisitions bring together two companies under common ownership. Omborddata holds a strong position in the Swedish market and Panasoft in the Finnish market.
• New - Alternative fuels and battery details
• Updated daily
• Detailed vessel data found nowhere else
• Financial data and transactions
• Newbuildings and ships on order
• GA plans
• Powerful search capabilities
• Build your own report and export to Excel
Tallink recorded small gains in May despite temporary route closure
In May 2026, AS Tallink Grupp transported 481,810 passengers, representing a 1.9% increase compared to May 2025. The number of cargo units increased by 1.5% to 22,948 units, while the number of passenger vehicles decreased by 0.6% to 65,104 units compared to the same period a year ago.
There have been significant declines in the operators' volumes between Estonia and Sweden. In May this year, passenger numbers fell by 9.3%, freight volumes dropped by as much as 55.3%, and the number of passenger vehicles transported between the two countries decreased by 26.1%.
Next Northern Isles operator will also have access to a third newbuild RoPax
Transport Scotland has announced the public tender for the routes between the Scottish mainland (Aberdeen) and the Orkney and Shetland Islands (Northern Isles Ferry Services – NIFS4). The new contract, valued at GBP 850 million, will run for 10 years and, following a pre-qualification process, will be awarded to the new operator on 30 June 2028.
Tallink passenger vessel ROMANTIKA returns to Tallinn–Stockholm route for the summer season
ROMANTIKA © Karl Kõrgmaa
AS Tallink Grupp is bringing the passenger vessel ROMANTIKA back to the Tallinn–Stockholm route for the peak summer season. From July onwards, the ship will operate weekend services, while special entertainment and concert cruises will also take place from Tallinn throughout the summer.
Sallaum Lines marks a historic double delivery with the OCEAN EXPRESS and OCEAN NAVIGATOR
Sallaum Lines celebrated a major milestone in its fleet expansion programme with the simultaneous delivery of OCEAN EXPRESS and OCEAN NAVIGATOR, two new PCTCs joining the company's growing Ocean Class fleet.
Built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd. and registered under the Cyprus flag, both vessels offer a cargo capacity of 7,400 CEU across 13 cargo decks.
Finnlines new mascot will make the trip across the Baltic Sea more fun for families with children
This summer, Finnlines passengers on the route between Sweden and Finland will be joined by the new mascot Stella. The playful ship's dog is part of the shipping company's effort to make the journey even more fun for families with children.
Stella is Finnlines' first own mascot and will be on the Kapellskär–Långnäs–Nådendal route to welcome passengers, entertain children and contribute to a more memorable journey across the Baltic Sea.
Fjord Line takes over Transportsentralen Kristiansand to strengthen freight operations
Fjord Line is acquiring both the staff and operational activities of freight forwarding firm Transportsentralen Kristiansand, with the transfer taking effect 1 July 2026. The operator has seen significant freight volume growth on its Kristiansand–Hirtshals route, particularly since deploying its LNG-powered vessels there in 2023.
K Line orders four 1,380 CEU capacity LNG-fuelled car carriers for European operations
139-metre and 1,800 CEU capacity MALACCA HIGHWAY © Kai Ortel
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, (K LINE) has signed contracts with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. to build four LNG dual-fuelled car carriers for its European subsidiary, KESS (K Line European Sea Highway Services GmbH).
The new vessels, each capable of carrying approximately 1,380 vehicles, are designed for European short-sea shipping and comply with size restrictions at several European ports.
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