Shippax Newsletter– week 6
Please find the selection of free news added to our website this last week. Many more news are expected to be published during the day, so make sure to visit our website frequently.
Enjoy your week!
First Northern European ferry newbuilding launched at Özata Shipyard
Özata Shipyard in Turkey launched NB101 (TBN MISTERØY) on 3 February. The vessel is expected to be delivered to Torghatten in June this year. MISTERØY will be the first of a total of three 76.8-metre ferries, each equipped with a 1,960-kWh battery pack, to be built by the yard for Torghatten.
Second hull for Norleds new Træna contract left Turkey
The hull of RISVÆR, the second of a total of four 84.5-metre ferries for Norled, left Tersan Shipyard, Turkey, under tow on 1 February, bound for Tersan Havyard in Norway, where the hull will be fully outfitted. SØHOLMEN, the first vessel in the series, which is equipped with 8 MWh battery packs, is in the final stages of outfitting in Norway.
Auckland’s first plug-in hybrid electric fast ferry set to enter service
Auckland city's first plug-in hybrid electric fast ferry has completed sea trials and will soon enter service on the busy Auckland to Devonport commuter route. The vessel achieved a top speed of 36 knots on all-electric mode, surpassing expectations. Designed by Incat Crowther, built by Q-West Boat Builders with systems integration by Hamilton Jet, the operationally flexible 32-metre vessel is the first in a fleet of two new electric hybrid fast ferries that will be operated by Fullers360 for Auckland Transport.
Strategic joint-venture to establish a RoRo terminal in Singapore
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and PSA Singapore (PSA) have announced the formation of a joint-venture RoRo terminal in Singapore. The joint-venture terminal is currently subject to regulatory approval and is expected to commence operations in the first half of this year. As Southeast Asia's largest automotive transhipment hub, Singapore is a key gateway connecting Asia to major global markets.
Ports of Stockholm show positive numbers for 2025
Ports of Stockholm had a positive 2025, strengthening its position as a major Baltic hub. Passenger numbers rose across the board, with ferry occupancy increasing by 2% (nearly 7 million travelers) and cruise passenger numbers surging by 30% to 256,000. Freight volumes remained stable at 7.5 million tonnes, securing the supply of goods for the Greater Stockholm region.
POLSCA Baltic Ferries expands its route network with a new Gdansk–Karlshamn service
Representatives from the Port of Gdansk, Port of Karlshamn, and POLSCA Baltic Ferries
The newly established company POLSCA S.A. is implementing another stage in the development of a joint brand bringing together Polish ferry operators. An agreement has been signed regarding the launch of a new ferry connection on the Gdansk–Karlshamn route, in cooperation with the Port of Karlshamn and the Port of Gdansk.
Polish ferry operators join POLSCA
On 27th of January, an agreement was signed at the headquarters of Polsteam to acquire shares in Polsca S.A. joint venture. Polsteam group (owner of Unity Line), Hass Holding Group (owner of EuroAfrica), and Polish Baltic Shipping Co. (Polska Zegluga Baltycka S.A. - Polferries) became equal shareholders in the company.
Siem Shipping extends charter to Cotunav by a further three years
LEEVSTEN © Frank Behling
Cotunav has had its charter of the 4,076 lanemetre RoRo vessel LEEVSTEN from Siem Shipping extended by a further 36 months. The extension was fixed in January 2026. Siem Shipping took over LEEVSTEN as a newbuilding from the then FSG shipyard in Flensburg in 2019 and has since chartered the vessel out to Cotunav. Initially for 12 months, then 36 months - and now for an additional 36 months.
Wärtsilä to further expand its production capacity in Finland by 35% to meet global increase in demand in energy and marine
Wärtsilä will invest approximately EUR 140 million to further expand its production capacity by 35% at its technology centre, Sustainable Technology Hub (STH) in Vaasa, Finland and associated global supply chain.
This expansion will increase Wärtsilä's industrial capacity and strengthen the capacity of the associated global supply chain, positioning Wärtsilä to meet growing market demand in energy and marine.
Brittany Ferries reports surge in 2026 bookings for Guernsey routes
ISLANDER © Maritime Photographic
Brittany Ferries has announced that forward bookings for 2026 are currently tracking 33% ahead of the same period last year. The operator reports that 60,880 passengers are already booked to travel before the end of October across routes connecting Guernsey with Poole, Portsmouth, and Saint-Malo.
Internal ramp improvements on Wallenius SOL sisters completed
Wallenius SOL has during a planned docking at Oresund Drydocks installed a new internal movable ramp between the main deck and weather deck on their 2006-built 2,774 lanemetre RoRo vessel TAVASTLAND. The retrofit followed a similar installation on the two sister vessels TUNDRALAND and THULELAND which enables full deck access via the stern ramp.
PATRIA SEAWAYS on an extended tour of Stena Line’s route network
PATRIA SEAWAYS © Frank Lose
DFDS's 1,800 lanemetre RoPax PATRIA SEAWAYS is continuing its charter to Stena Line through the end of March, alternating as a replacement first for STENA SCANDINAVICA and then STENA GERMANICA on the Gothenburg-Kiel route while both ferries undergo scheduled dry-dockings at Remontowa in Gdansk.
Stena Line to discontinue the Halmstad–Grenaa ferry route
STENA NAUTICA © Stena Line
Stena Line has decided to close the ferry route between Halmstad in Sweden and Grenaa in Denmark. The vessel STENA NAUTICA will continue to operate the route until 30 April.
Strong competition from the fixed bridge connections to and within Denmark, a strained cost environment, and challenging market conditions due to global uncertainty and a weak economic climate are the main reasons why the Halmstad–Grenaa connection is now being discontinued.
Molslinjen looking for a new CEO
Kristian Durhuus and Carsten Jensen
Denmark's largest ferry company, Molslinjen, is facing a change of management. The owners of Nordic Ferry Infrastructure (NFI) have initiated the process of finding a new CEO, which means that Kristian Durhuus will step down after almost three years.
Kristian Durhuus took over as CEO of Molslinjen in March 2023 in connection with Molslinjen's acquisition of ForSea, where he had been CEO since 2020 after nine years as COO of Copenhagen Airport. Now the owners have decided that the next phase in Molslinjen's development requires a different profile in the top management position.
Isle of Wight businesses unite to oppose ETS charges threatening local economy
More than 35 businesses across the Isle of Wight including the Isle of Wight Chamber have come together to raise urgent concerns about the UK Government's proposal to include domestic maritime operations in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from July 2026. In a joint letter sent this week to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the group warns that the move could have serious and disproportionate consequences for the Island's economy, connectivity, and communities.
Option on a sister ship to COSTANZA I DI SICILIA to be exercised
Photo from the launch of COSTANZA I DI SICILIA in October last year © Fincantieri
The Sicilian Region intends to exercise an option for an additional ferry at Fincantieri. The Region currently has the 14,000 GT COSTANZA I DI SICILIA under construction at the Fincantieri Palermo shipyard, with delivery expected in June 2026. When the EUR 114.6 million dual fuel LNG RoPax - capable of carrying 1,000 passengers and 200 cars - was contracted, an option was also agreed for a sister ship.
Viking Line continues its major investment in biogas
VIKING GLORY © Viking Line
Viking Line is starting 2026 by renewing its offer of travel and transport powered by a high share of renewable European biogas. After multiplying the use of biofuel tenfold last year, Viking Line has now secured another year at the same ambitious level.
The biogas is used alongside liquefied natural gas on the company's newest ships, VIKING GLORY and VIKING GRACE, which operate daily between Turku and Stockholm. This combination results in very low sulphur and particle emissions, as well as a greatly reduced climate footprint.
Draft IMO workplan agreed on safety rules for battery, wind and nuclear-powered ships
IMO's Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) has finalised a workplan to develop a safety regulatory framework for ships using new technologies and alternative fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The draft workplan will be submitted to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) for approval in May 2026.
The workplan will involve developing or amending existing safety regulations related to nuclear power, wind-propulsion and wind-assisted power; and lithium-ion batteries and swappable traction battery containers on ships, that are under the purview of the SDC Sub-Committee.
SF Bay Ferry’s completed its best January ever with a record 229,000 passengers
SF Bay Ferry ridership hit a major milestone in January, exceeding 106% of 2019 levels, the agency's highest monthly recovery mark. It also marks the second consecutive month in which SF Bay Ferry exceeded its 2019 ridership for the same month after the agency hit 100.1% of December 2019 ridership last month.
Over the past 12 months, SF Bay Ferry's recovery rate is 95%. It carried 3 million passengers in 2025 for just the second time ever.
ShoreLink to electrify Eckerö Line’s Helsinki–Tallinn route with automated charging solutions
FINLANDIA © Frank Lose
ShoreLink will provide two 6.5 MVA ChargeLink solutions to Eckerö Line's FINLANDIA, supporting Rederi Ab Eckerö Group's efforts to reduce emissions on the busy Helsinki–Tallinn route. The solution will enable onboard battery systems to be charged at both the Port of Helsinki and the Port of Tallinn, facilitating high-frequency passenger and freight operations between the two cities.
GNV takes delivery of GNV AURORA, the company’s second LNG ship
GNV announced that GNV AURORA, the second LNG-powered unit in the company's fleet, has been delivered from Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China. The ship will soon leave for the Mediterranean and, once the final fittings have been completed, will enter service at the beginning of April, operating on the Genoa-Palermo route on a daily basis.
With a gross tonnage of approximately 53,000, a length of 218 metres, a width of 29.60 metres, and a maximum cruising speed of 25 knots, GNV AURORA will be able to accommodate over 1,700 passengers in 426 cabins and carry up to 2,780 lane metres of cargo.
Wallenius vessels WAY FORWARD and FUTURE WAY achieve top rating for energy efficiency
The first two vessels in the Sleipner concept – WAY FORWARD and FUTURE WAY – have, after just over a year in operation, demonstrated excellent performance, low fuel consumption, and CII values far below current requirement levels. This means they emit significantly less CO2 per transported unit than the average for comparable vessels, placing them comfortably in the highest energy efficiency class (A) according to the IMO's international classification.
Royal Caribbean Group achieves significant growth in 2025
Royal Caribbean Group has concluded 2025 with a major financial surge, reporting total revenues of USD 17.9 billion compared to USD 16.5 billion in 2024. Net income also saw a substantial increase, rising to USD 4.3 billion for the full year 2025, up from USD 2.9 billion the year prior.
Royal Caribbean Group places orders for new Discovery Class ships at Chantiers de l'Atlantique
Royal Caribbean Group announced a series of agreements with the Chantiers de l'Atlantique (CdA) shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France to secure the construction of its new Discovery Class ships. The agreements include two firm ship orders with options for four additional ships. The first ship in the class is set to debut in 2029, while the second ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2032.
Most read
Only three months left – time to register to secure your participation (Upd.6 Feb)
feb 05 2026
Stena Line to discontinue the Halmstad–Grenaa ferry route
feb 03 2026
Stena RoRo places order for two new C-Flexer design RoRo ships
jan 28 2026
POLSCA Baltic Ferries expands its route network with a new Gdansk–Karlshamn service
feb 04 2026
Auckland’s first plug-in hybrid electric fast ferry set to enter service
feb 05 2026
VIKING GRACE returns to service following EUR 7 million refurbishment
jan 29 2026
Isles of Scilly's new freight vessel begins sea trials in Vietnam
jan 29 2026
State of Alaska goes out to tender for the replacement ferry for AMHS’ veteran TUSTUMENA
jan 28 2026
