Shippax Newsletter– week 48
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Fred. Olsen Express summarizes the effect of third RoRo vessel
BAHIA CARGO © Marc Ottini
Fred. Olsen Express's 1,800 lanemetres BAHIA CARGO celebrates one year connecting the Canary Islands. Since it began operating on 12 November 2024, it has transported 100,700 lanemetres of cargo. With a total of 841 trips and 54,396 nautical miles sailed, this vessel strengthens the company's commitment to its logistics service, launched in 2024 with the purchase of two RoRo vessels.
EL VENIZELOS back in Greece
EL VENIZELOS © Frank Lose
Anek Lines' 38,261gt 1992-built ferry EL VENIZELOS has returned back to Greek waters, and is currently alongside in Eleusis. Over the summer, the ferry has been operating for Algérie Ferries between Oran and Alicante under a long-term bareboat charter which, according to earlier statements from Anek Lines, was for a duration of five years.
Early tendering process underway for new Orkney ferries
© Knud E. Hansen
The tendering process for securing a shipyard for the design and build of new ferries for Phase 1 of Orkney's Ferry Replacement Programme is underway; A project, with outline design by the naval architect firm Knud E. Hansen and first reported by Shippax back in September.
Pan Marine to launch new RoPax bought in New Zealand
Cairo-based Pan Marine will launch its new RoPax route between Safaga in Egypt and the Port of Neom in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of December.
On the route, Pan Marine will use the 1997-built "Visentini" Mark I/first-generation superstructure RoPax PAN LILY, which - as previously reported by Shippax - in early October 2025 was taken over from StraitNZ/Bluebridge, who had employed the vessel as STRAIT FERONIA between New Zealand's two main islands.
BC Ferries names four new hybrid-electric vessels after First Nations gifts
BC Ferries Island Class
BC Ferries has announced that its four newest Island Class hybrid-electric ferries will proudly sail as ISLAND GWA'YAM, ISLAND K'ASA, ISLAND XWSALUX'UL and ISLAND SARLEQUUN – Kwak'wala and hul'q'umi'num' names gifted by the We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and Snuneymuxw First Nations.
Molslinjen awarded DKK 180 million funding for fully electric ferries
Danish operator Molslinjen has secured DKK 180 million in funding from the 2025 Investment Support Scheme to acquire three new fully electric high-speed ferries for its Kattegat route.
The vessels are expected to enter service after 2027 and will cut annual CO2 emissions by 132,000 tonnes – equivalent to roughly 90% of the route's current emissions.
Stena Line, SkiStar and Sembo launch all-in-one ski holiday packages
Danish skiers are increasingly choosing Sweden's mountains over the Alps for their winter breaks, and now Stena Line, SkiStar and Sembo have made the trip even simpler with the launch of new complete ski holiday packages that bundle ferry travel, accommodation, meals and lift passes in one easy booking.
GNV charters GOLDEN CARRIER for the Palermo-Naples route
GOLDEN CARRIER © Richard Seville
To fill a gap, the MSC-owned GNV has chartered the RoPax GOLDEN CARRIER in the wake of Moby’s withdrawal from the Palermo-Naples route after been forced to sell some of its vessels to repay a loan granted by MSC. The vessel commenced her trading on the 25 November, with first departure from Palermo to Naples.
The A-Ships Management owned 1986-built 363 passenger/1,770 lanemetres GOLDEN CARRIER is taken in on charter for three months with an option for extra three months.
Irish Continental Group reports strong revenue growth amid mixed volume performance
JAMES JOYCE © George Holland
Irish Continental Group plc (ICG), parent company of Irish Ferries, today issued a trading update for the year to date, showing consolidated Group revenue rose 10.0% to EUR 573.0 million in the first ten months of 2025 (1 January – 31 October) compared with EUR 521.0 million in the same period of 2024.The revenue increase was driven by continued strong demand for RoRo freight services and the contribution from recent fleet investments, despite a softer performance in car carryings.
Rough delivery weather pushes introduction of TYRFING forward
TYRFING in Denmark © P&S
The delivery journey of Samsølinjen's upcoming electric ferry, TYRFING, took longer time home than expected. The tricky weather systems in the Bay of Biscay forced the ferry to seek shelter in several places, and this is now delaying the plan for commissioning on Samsø.
The delay means that the plans to put TYRFING into operation on 1 December are being moved. The new plan means that TYRFING can be expected to be in operation on the route between Ballen and Kalundborg on 15 December.
Baleària's CAP DE BARBARIA to become testbed for onboard renewable hydrogen generation
Baleària will integrate Europe's first autonomous e-methanol power generation container into its electric ferry CAP DE BARBARIA. The system, called eNomad and manufactured by Catalan company Methanol Reformer, will be installed in the coming weeks following successful technical verification and Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at Methanol Reformer's facilities.
The eNomad system is a compact, autonomous container designed to produce hydrogen by reforming e-methanol. This hydrogen will power a fuel cell to generate auxiliary electricity, which will support the ferry's battery recharging and reduce the need for conventional generators, consequently lowering fuel consumption and emissions.
Grimaldi upgrades far east–West Africa service, strengthens Durban hub role
The Grimaldi Group has enhanced its Far East–West Africa service less than a year after its launch. The route, which carries containers, rolling cargo, and project cargo between China, South Africa, and Nigeria, now operates with increased frequency and capacity following the deployment of four modern ConRo vessels, including ships from the G5 class.
Chief Commercial Officer appointed at Peel Ports Group
Peel Ports Group, the UK's second largest port operator, has appointed Jonathan Rayner as its Chief Commercial Officer, strengthening the Executive team as the business advances its long-term growth strategy.
Jonathan joins the group from London Luton Airport, where he served as Chief Commercial Officer from 2020. His earlier career includes senior commercial and operational roles across major UK airports and infrastructure organisations.
MISTRAL secured on one-year charter to Stena Line
MISTRAL © Søren Lund Hviid
Godby Shipping has signed a one-year time charter agreement with Stena Line for the RoRo vessel MISTRAL, with an option allowing Stena Line to extend the charter beyond the initial term.
Ahead of entering service, MISTRAL is scheduled for dry docking at the Remontowa shipyard in Poland in early 2026. Alongside routine maintenance, the vessel will receive a series of energy-efficiency upgrades, including new propeller blades and a redesigned bulb optimized for speeds of 10–14 knots.
Tallink to participate in Nasdaq bell ringing ceremony in New York
AS Tallink Grupp took part on 24 November in the Nasdaq Baltic Awards 2025 bell ringing ceremony at Nasdaq Inc.'s headquarters in New York. The ceremonial event celebrated the contributions of Baltic-listed companies to the development of investor relations.
Tallink was awarded third place in the Best Investor Relations category at the Nasdaq Baltic Awards 2025 held in February this year. The recognition came with an invitation to ring the Nasdaq bell at the company's headquarters on Times Square, Manhattan, New York City.
Island Class vessel number nine launched
BC Ferries' ninth Island Class vessel was launched at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania 20 November. The first Island Class vessels entered service in 2020. Six are in service today and that number will reach 10 by 2027, making it the largest vessel class in BC Ferries' fleet.
BEN-MY-CHREE to operate between Larne and Douglas
BEN-MY-CHREE © Isle of Man Steam Packet
Isle of Man Steam Packet will be operating a new service between Larne and Douglas from 2026, using the RoPax BEN-MY-CHREE.
This route will provide a regular connection between the Isle of Man and Ireland, with three sailings a week in off-season and five a week in peak season.
Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District selects Mavrik Marine for its eight vessel ferry replacement program
Mavrik Marine, Inc. has been selected to build high-speed passenger ferries for the Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District. Mavrik will construct catamaran passenger ferries as part of the District's eight vessel Lima Class Ferry Replacement Program to provide transportation services in San Francisco Bay.
The 50 metre aluminum ferries specifications and systems were developed by Aurora Marine Design in San Diego with structural design from One2Three Naval Architects in Australia. Construction will begin immediately at Mavrik's facility in La Conner, WA.
Adria Ferries introduces B20 biobunker to reduce its environmental impact
AF MIA © Adria Ferries
In line with its strategy of energy transition and reduction of environmental impact, Adria Ferries announces that the AF MIA ship will start using B20 biobunkers to replace the traditional IFO380.
The B20 biobunker, supplied by Italiana Petroli S.p.a, is a blend composed of 20% biofuel of sustainable origin and 80% conventional fuel. This step makes it possible to achieve an estimated reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 15–18% and a reduction in sulphur (SOx) emissions of around 20%
Stena Line celebrates naming ceremony of STENA FUTURA
© Stena Line
Over 200 guests attended the official naming ceremony of Stena Line's newest vessel, STENA FUTURA, at Belfast Harbour. This state-of-the-art hybrid freight ferry marks a significant milestone in Stena Line's 30-year partnership with Belfast and its ambitious journey toward sustainable shipping.
The 147-metre STENA FUTURA is the first of two next-generation "NewMax" freight vessels purpose-built for the busy Belfast–Heysham route. Designed with cutting-edge technology, the ship is methanol-ready and equipped with hybrid propulsion systems, including battery capability and shore power connectivity.
SCHOTTEL to equip series of electric ferries for CMAL
SCHOTTEL will supply rudder propellers for a new series of seven electric double-ended ferries by Scotland's state-owned Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL). The vessels will be constructed by the Polish shipyard Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A, with the first delivery scheduled for 2027. Designed to operate across nine routes on Scotland's West Coast, the ferries will contribute to more sustainable regional transport.
Second NewMax RoRo, STENA CONNECTA, has been delivered
STENA CONNECTA © Stena Line
On 19 November, Stena Line’s second of two NewMax RoRo vessels for the Belfast–Heysham route, STENA CONNECTA, was delivered from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling Weihai and is expected to enter regular service from January 2026.
STENA CONNECTA has two 28x4 metre Norsepower Rotor Sails™ installed that can save up to 9% in fuel on its Irish Sea route between Belfast and Heysham. Its sister vessel, STENA FUTURA, was delivered "Rotor Sail Ready," meaning it is prepared for the retrofit installation of Norsepower rotor sails.
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