Shippax Newsletter– week 4
The latest issue of our magazine has now been sent to the printers and will be available to read online tomorrow for our subscribers.
Have a good afternoon
Next-generation RoPax design developed for Cotunav/Tunisia Ferries unveiled
© OSK Design
OSK Design unveiled the next-generation RoPax design developed for Cotunav/Tunisia Ferries. This innovative vessel is set to join the Tunisia Ferries fleet, strengthening connections between Tunis, Barcelona, Genova, and Marseille.
Key Highlights:
Length Overall: 210 m
Capacity: 3.000 passengers in cabins, 730 cars, and 170 trucks
Service Speed: 24 knots
Propulsion: Electric plant powered by dual-fuel diesel/methanol generators, azimuth thrusters, and a battery package for peak-shaving, spinning reserve, and zero-emission port operations
Norwest Ship Management acquires MN PELICAN (TBN LINK NEPTUNE) from Compagnie Maritime Nantaise - MN
MN PELICAN © Shippax
The representatives of Norwest Ship Management and Compagnie Maritime Nantaise – MN were in Le Havre, Normandy, France, to sign the sale contract for the RoRo vessel MN PELICAN (TBN LINK NEPTUNE).
MN PELICAN (formerly TRANS BOTNIA Trans Botnia) was built at the Fosen shipyard in Norway in 1999. She is therefore returning today to her country of origin.
Production of the fifth Icon Class ship started at Meyer Turku Shipyard
STAR OF THE SEAS and LEGEND OF THE SEAS © Meyer Turku
On Monday, 19 January 2026, production of the fifth vessel in the Icon Class began at the Meyer Turku shipyard. The ceremonial event held in the steel hall was attended by representatives of the ship's owner Royal Caribbean Group, the Meyer Turku organization, and the classification society.
Icon 5 is scheduled to be delivered in summer 2028.
Torghatten signs contract with Remontowa for hybrid double-ender
© The Norwegian Ship Design Company
On 16 January this year, Stocznia Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A., part of the Remontowa Holding S.A. capital group, signed a contract with Torghatten Midt AS for the construction of a hybrid-powered passenger and car ferry.
The shipyard will build a fully equipped, modern double-ended ferry designed for sailing in the Norwegian fjords, in the area of the Dønna and Herøy islands. This area is known for its beautiful landscapes and picturesque fishing villages. The vessel will be able to carry 249 passengers, 85 cars and up to 6 lorries at a time.
STENA CONNECTA arrives in Belfast Harbour
STENA CONNECTA arrives in Belfast
STENA CONNECTA, the latest purpose-built freight vessel commissioned by Stena Line for the Irish Sea has arrived in Belfast Harbour and is due to go into commercial service on the Belfast-Heysham route on 23rd January 2026.
The ship joins its sister vessel STENA FUTURA which went into service on the Belfast-Heysham service in October 2025 and together they offer an additional 40% freight capacity on the increasing popular trade route between Northern Ireland and Britain.
P&O Ferries reported increased losses in 2024
P&O LIBERTE © P&O Ferries
P&O Ferries latest set of accounts show an overall net loss of GBP 99 million in 2024, up from GBP 91.4 million the year before, as turnover fell by 8.9 per cent. Freight volumes during 2024 declined, as did passenger numbers, with P&O Ferries carrying 1.3 million passengers during the year under review, down slightly on the year before and almost half the 8.4 million who travelled on the company's vessels in 2018.
Interferry demands pause on EU ETS implementation at 70% coverage
Interferry, the global trade association for the ferry industry, calls for an immediate halt to the further phasing-in of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for the maritime sector. The demand follows the recent decision to continue exempting road transport from a parallel ETS mechanism and the lack of clear regulations on the distribution of the funds collected.
Interferry is calling for an immediate halt on the further implementation of the EU ETS for the ferry sector, maintaining the surrendering obligation for maritime emissions frozen at the 70% level scheduled for 2025, and halting the planned increase to 100% in 2026.
Stena Line report stable start to 2026 on the Gothenburg–Frederikshavn route
STENA DANICA © Stena Line
New booking figures for the Gothenburg–Frederikshavn route show an increase in travel this spring. In January, Stena Line is 12 per cent above volume compared to the same period in 2025.
At the same time, Stena Line sees continued strong travel from Denmark with a focus on winter sports. For the third year in a row, the company is breaking volume records for the ski season, thanks to the successful collaboration with SkiStar.
Production of MSC/GNV’s first 237-metre RoPax started at GSI
A steel cut ceremony at the GSI shipyard marked the start of production for the first of four planned 237-metre LNG-capable RoPax ferries for MSC/GNV. Details about the ships are so far scarce, but what is known is that they will each have a capacity for 2,500 passengers, hold a 3,500 lane metre freight capacity and include 500 cabins.
Delivery of the first ship is planned for March 2028, with all four completed by 2029.
TYRFING finally enters service after two further delays
© Mikkel Frandsen
After two additional postponements to the start of operations for Molslinjen's newbuild TYRFING, the ferry finally entered service on 16 January. This took place with the 13:30 departure from Ballen (Samsø) to Kalundborg (Zealand). TYRFING arrived in Denmark on 25 November 2025 on its delivery voyage from Cemre Shipyard in Turkey, where the ferry was the second of two newbuilds for Molslinjen's two sub-brands, Alslinjen and Samsølinjen respectively.
ISLE OF ISLAY has been formally handed over to CMAL
CMAL has formally taken ownership of ISLE OF ISLAY following a handover ceremony at Cemre Shipyard in Yalova, Türkiye, where the vessel was built. ISLE OF ISLAY, the first of four ferries being constructed at the yard, will serve Islay and Jura when she enters service, and will be joined by her sister vessel LOCH INDAAL later this year.
The 95-metre ISLE OF ISLAY and its three sister ships, two of which are destined for the Little Minch routes, will each have a capacity for up to 450 passengers and 100 cars or 14 commercial vehicles.
Liberty Line sells hydrofoil ferry ESCHILO to Greek Operator Alpha Lines
ESCHILO © Liberty Lines
Italian ferry company Liberty Lines has sold its FoilMaster hydrofoil ESCHILO to Alpha Lines, the Greek operator serving the Saronic Gulf islands (including Hydra, Poros, and Spetses).
The 2006-built and 240 passenger capacity ESCHILO, built by Rodriquez shipyard in Italy and previously operated routes from Milazzo to the Aeolian Islands (such as Salina and Vulcano), has already been delivered to its new owner.
TS Laevad sets all-time records in 2025 and signs agreement to use REGULA as a replacement vessel until the end of 2028
REGULA © Uwe Jakob
2025 was another record-breaking year for TS Laevad. The company carried a historic 2,491,876 passengers (+1% from 2024) and 1,214,861 vehicles (+3% from 2024). Growth was especially strong in passenger cars (+3%), trucks (+5%), and trailers (+7%). The number of buses and motorhomes surpassed the pre-pandemic record from 2019, while foreign-registered vehicles increased by ~3,800 to around 126,000 (10% of total).
World’s largest battery-electric ship begins harbour trials in Hobart
Incat Tasmania has conducted harbour trials in the River Derwent for the first time with the world's largest battery-electric ship, the CHINA ZORRILLA, built for Buquebus in South America. This marks the first occasion that Hull 096 – the largest battery-electric vessel ever constructed – has moved under its own battery-electric propulsion, signalling the transition from construction to operational testing for the 130-metre ship.
GNV ALTAIR to enter service on Algerian routes
GNV ALTAIR
GNV announces a further step in the process of strengthening its fleet with the entry of GNV ALTAIR, the former JANAS of Moby. GNV ALTAIR will be operational from 21 February and will be deployed on the Algerian market on the Sète–Béjaia and Sète–Algiers routes, guaranteeing two rotations every week, one to Béjaia and one to Algiers.
Washington State Ferries’s ridership surpasses 20 million for first time since 2019
WENATCHEE © Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries achieved a major milestone in 2025, carrying 20,108,545 total riders — the highest annual total since 2019 and a solid recovery from pandemic lows. Ridership reached 20.1 million (9.42 million vehicles/drivers + 10.69 million walk-on passengers), up significantly from 19.1 million in 2024 — a ~5% increase (nearly 1 million more riders). Operated more than 150,000 sailings (about 7,000 additional trips compared to 2024).
Wightlink steps up capacity between Yarmouth and Lymington
WIGHT SKY © Frank Lose
From April, Wightlink will be running a three-vessel setup on their Yarmouth to Lymington service during periods of traditional high demand – meaning an additional 868 sailings compared to its 2025 timetable. The announcement is a response to greater customer demand and emphasises Wightlink's commitment to the route.
The increase in sailings, a rise of over 8% on last year, will also reduce pinch-points in availability at high demand periods meaning more opportunity for travel as well as providing more capacity for Multilink users.
Most read
Updated speaker list! (Upd.26 Jan)
jan 23 2026
Trinidad & Tobago charter BLUE WAVE HARMONY to replace CABO STAR
jan 13 2026
DALMACIJA replaces MARKO POLO on Jadrolinija’s Italy routes
jan 13 2026
Production of MSC/GNV’s first 237-metre RoPax started at GSI
jan 16 2026
World’s largest battery-electric ship begins harbour trials in Hobart
jan 16 2026
Fred. Olsen Cargo Express is reporting disappointing results
jan 13 2026
Norwest Ship Management acquires MN PELICAN (TBN LINK NEPTUNE) from Compagnie Maritime Nantaise - MN
jan 22 2026
BEN-MY-CHREE on charter to Stena Line for four months
jan 14 2026
