Shippax Newsletter– week 43
The latest issue of our magazine has now been completed and is available to read online for our subscribers.
Please find below our selection of free news for the week.
P&O Ferries expands freight services on Tilbury routes
NORSTREAM © P&O Ferries
P&O Ferries is boosting capacity and reliability on the Europoort–Tilbury route with two dedicated vessels, extended port times, and earlier terminal access. On the Zeebrugge–Tilbury route, weekly sailings increase from 18 to 20 to meet growing demand.
World’s first battery-swapping robot for fast ferries installed at Nesoddtangen, Norway
Norled has now begun the installation of the first SHIFTR, a battery-swapping robot that will be used on the fast ferries in the Norwegian Oslofjord. Installation and testing will continue throughout the autumn, after which battery-swapping trials on BARONESSEN will also begin.
Secure your seat now to the 2026 Shippax Ferry Conference!
Tallink reports strong Q3 but weaker first nine months of the year
AS Tallink Grupp reported a net profit of EUR 40.8 million for the third quarter of 2025, up from EUR 36.5 million in the same period last year. The strong summer season is reflected in revenue of EUR 233.1 million, compared with EUR 225.4 million in Q3 2024.Passenger numbers increased by 3% compared to the same period last year, reaching 1.77 million.
Viking Line reports steady Q3 2025 with strong summer and stable outlook
Viking Line's third-quarter 2025 results showed steady performance, with sales totalling EUR 152.5 million, slightly up from EUR 151.5 million in the same period last year. Operating income amounted to EUR 28.7 million (EUR 29.4 million), while income before taxes rose to EUR 31.6 million (EUR 28.4 million). Net financial items improved to EUR 2.9 million, compared to a negative EUR 1.0 million in 2024.
Molslinjen takes delivery of second electric ferry from Cemre Shipyard
Samsølinjen's new electric ferry, TYRFING, has now been delivered and is beginning its long journey home from the Cemre Shipyard in Turkey. TYRFING follows NERTHUS, which was delivered in May this year for service with Alslinjen.
TYRFING, which is 117 metres long, will be powered by batteries of 3.8 MWh. The ferry can transport 188 cars and 600 passengers on one crossing and will be able to sail emission-free on its route.
GNV VIRGO delivered as GNV’s first LNG-powered ship
GNV announced that GNV VIRGO has been delivered, well ahead of schedule. GNV VIRGO is the third RoPax vessel ordered from GSI Shipyard International in Guangzhou, China, as part of a rapidly progressing growth programme that will see the company's fleet add eight new vessels between 2025 and 2030, including GNV POLARIS and GNV ORION, which are already in operation.
The Grimaldi Group and China Merchants Shenzhen RoRo Shipping sign cooperation agreement
China Merchants Shenzhen RoRo Shipping (Haina Cang) and the Grimaldi Group (Naples) have signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement with the shared goal of creating greater value for their customers. This strategic partnership leverages the strong complementarity between the two companies and envisions multiple areas of collaboration, ranging from operational synergies to network integration.
Two new 56-metre catamarans in service in Abu Dhabi
Two new aluminium high-speed RoPax catamarans designed by Incat Crowther for the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi, are now operating on the ~23-nautical mile route between Dalma Island and Jebel Dhannah on the UAE mainland.
The new 56-metre vessels, JAZIRAT DALMA and AL DHANNAH, built by Singapore based Penguin International Limited in Batam, Indonesia, can transport up to 192 passengers and 25 vehicles at speeds of up to 39 knots.
Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö reports record interim results for January–September 2025
Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö has reported its interim results for the period 1 January to 30 September 2025, achieving record volumes and strong financial performance. Revenue increased to EUR 181.1 million, up 5% from EUR 171.7 million in 2024, while operating profit reached EUR 21.6 million, the highest ever for this period. Adjusted for the sale of SHIPPER in January 2024, operating profit improved by EUR 4.5 million compared with the previous year. Profit for the period totalled EUR 16.0 million, also a record, and the company held a net cash surplus of EUR 19.6 million, meaning its liquid assets exceed its interest-bearing debt.
Eckerö Line’s FINLANDIA to receive a large battery pack for hybrid operations
Eckerö Line, which operates the Helsinki-Tallinn route, takes a significant step towards electrifying its business when investing in a battery solution for FINLANDIA to reduce carbon dioxide emission. A long-term goal for the Eckerö Group is fully electric shipping. In addition, Eckerö Line will renovate the interior spaces of both FINLANDIA and FINBO CARGO in many ways in the near future to increase passenger comfort.
NEPTUNUS to become automated with battery-hybrid propulsion
NEPTUNUS © Trafikverket Färjerederiet
The contract, valued at SEK 97 million, was secured by Stockholms Reparationsvarv AB, with Zeabuz and Metstech providing the essential automation and energy technologies for the transformation of Färjerederiet's NEPTUNUS. The project will deliver a complete automation and energy solution to enhance safety, efficiency, and environmental performance on the Gullmarsleden route between Finnsbo and Skår in Bohuslän—an essential part of Sweden's transport network.
Stena Line launches new booking app to improve customer experience
This December, Stena Line will launch the My Trips app, bringing together everything customers need for a seamless journey. At the same time, both the booking process and the StenaMORE loyalty programme will be upgraded to offer a more personalised and convenient experience.
Strong Autumn Break for Molslinjen
Molslinjen was flat out during the autumn break – or efterårsferien, as it's known in Denmark. Many opted for the sea route, and the company's ten ferry lines were just 363 passengers shy of smashing the record from 2019 – the last normal year before the pandemic. The robust autumn traffic came hot on the heels of an intense summer, when over five million passengers travelled with Molslinjen.
Fresh Start for Brødrene Aa at Hyen Shipyard
In the wake of Brødrene Aa's bankruptcy, efforts have been ongoing to revive operations at the Hyen shipyard through a new venture. The Aa family's holding company, Brødrene Aa Eiendom, had been in talks with the Finnish conglomerate Summa Defence over recent months, but those discussions have now reached an impasse. As a result, Brødrene Aa Eiendom has taken matters into its own hands by forming Brødrene Aa Hyen AS.
Stena RoRo signs Letter of Intent with China Merchant Industries Weihai for 2+2+2 C-Flexer newbuilds
Stena RoRo AB has signed a Letter of Intent for 2+2+2 RoRo cargo ships with a capacity of 3,000-4,700 lane metres. Stena RoRo sees this LOI as a strategic investment for Stena RoRo in a segment which for a long time has been underinvested.
The C-Flexer design builds on the previous experience of the successful E-Flexer and NewMax concepts with a combination of a highly efficient hull form, engines ready for future fuels and an expandable battery hybrid design.
IMO postpones adoption of Net-Zero Framework for shipping by one year
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has delayed the adoption of its Net-Zero Framework (NZF) for the shipping industry by one year, following a divided vote among member states. The decision was made at an extraordinary session of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC E.2), held from 14 to 17 October.
Greek double-ended ferry sold to Guyana
Greek company Psomas Shipping is reported to have sold its 2020-built double-ended RoPax ARIS IV. The exact identity of the buyer is not yet known by Shippax, but the buyer is registered in Guyana. ARIS IV was delivered to Psomas Shipping by the Perama-based Atsalakis Shipyard as a replacement for the 2010-built ARIS III, which was sold to the Italian operator Delcomar.
Brittany Ferries celebrates the arrival of its 7 millionth passenger at the port of Santander
On Thursday morning, October 16, Brittany Ferries celebrated the arrival of its seven millionth passenger at an event held at the dock in Santander, in the presence of Joëlle Croc, Director of Customer Experience and Sales on board Brittany Ferries; César Díaz, President of the Port of Santander; Gema Igual, Mayor of Santander; Pedro Casares, Government Delegate and María José Sáenz de Buruaga, President of Cantabria.
La Méridionale recruits new CEO from DFDS
The ferry operator La Méridionale, owned by the French container shipping giant CMA CGM, will have a new CEO starting from the turn of the year. The position will be taken by Étienne Melliani, a French national who is currently Managing Director of DFDS France, a role he assumed in August 2024.
Previously, Étienne Melliani held various positions, including a career in the French Ministry of Transport. He will succeed Maria Harti as CEO of La Méridionale. She has led the company since February 2024, when she replaced Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée.
STENA CONNECTA named at CMI Jinling Weihai
STENA CONNECTA © Stena Line
On 16 October, the naming ceremony was held for Stena Line's second of two new RoRo vessels for the Belfast–Heysham route, STENA CONNECTA, at the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling Weihai. STENA CONNECTA completed her sea trials in September and is expected enter regular service from January 2026.
The first vessel in the series, STENA FUTURA, entered service on the Belfast–Heysham route on 22 September. However, STENA FUTURA has not yet been officially named, as the formal naming ceremony will take place in Belfast on 20 November.
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