Ferry news, cruise, ro-ro and high-speed

DFDS to sell OPTIMA SEAWAYS

nov 12 2026

FerryIn its Q3 2026 results, DFDS said it expects to sell one of its RoPax vessels in Q4, with a potential gain of DKK 200 million (EUR 27 million). The vessel is understood to be the 1999-built 25,206 GT OPTIMA SEAWAYS. She carries 327 passengers and 2,300 lane metres of freight.

COTE D’ALBATRE takes the place of CORBIERE SEAWAYS during refit

nov 12 2026

FerryDFDS has temporarily moved the French-flagged 18,951 GT RoPax COTE D’ALBATRE from its regular Dieppe – Newhaven service to the Portsmouth – Jersey route. At 142.4m, she is one of the longest RoPax vessels to call regularly at St Helier in Jersey.

(Upd. 12 Nov) Join your colleagues on board

nov 12 2026

Join your industry colleagues on board VIKING CINDERELLA next year for two days of world-class networking, valuable insights from our expert speakers, and updates on the latest product developments from our exhibitors.

BOREAS SOYA retires after 23 years with Heart Land Ferry

nov 12 2026

FerryHeart Land Ferry's BOREAS SOYA made her last sailing on 31 October after 23 years on the routes between Wakkanai and the islands of Rishiri and Rebun in northern Hokkaido. The three island towns and the city of Wakkanai held farewell ceremonies at the ferry terminals in Oshidomari, Kafuka and Wakkanai.

Final bids called in auction for StraitNZ

nov 12 2026

FerryRothschild Australia called final bids in the auction of StraitNZ, the owner of the Bluebridge Cook Strait ferries, the Australian Financial Review reports. The company is owned by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and has been valued at about AUD 1 billion.

China Merchants RoRo takes delivery of methanol dual-fuel PCTC CM WU HAN

nov 12 2026

Ro-roChina Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) has delivered the 7,800 CEU methanol dual-fuel PCTC CM WU HAN to China Merchants RoRo.

Split new international passenger terminal © Lavcevic

Split opens EUR 20.4 million international passenger terminal

nov 12 2026

PortThe Port Authority of Split has completed a EUR 20.4 million passenger terminal for international traffic on the harbour breakwater. The terminal was created by rebuilding the former Jadranribolov building, and the project was presented at a closing conference at the city port on 11 November.

Port of Tallinn eyes 2028 start for new Terminal A

nov 12 2026

PortConstruction of a new Terminal A in the Old City Harbour of Tallinn could start in 2028, the Port of Tallinn's head of development Riho Joala has told ERR News. The terminal serves Viking Line and Eckerö Line on the routes to Finland.

Finnlines to move three Star-class ferries to Malmö as new ships arrive

nov 12 2026

FerryFinnlines will move FINNSTAR, FINNLADY and FINNMAID to its Malmö services once the first of its three new ferries for the Finland–Germany route is delivered in 2028. The company presented the plans this week at a breakfast event for partners and media on board FINNSWAN in Malmö. Finnlines says the newbuilds will start an extensive change of ships on the Baltic.

Wallenius SOL is now branded as Wallenius Link. © Wallenius Link

Wallenius SOL changes name to Wallenius Link

nov 12 2026

Ro-roFollowing the previously announced change in ownership, shipping company Wallenius SOL is now taking the next natural step. From 12 November 2026 the company will operate under the name Wallenius Link.

Seaworld Express Ferry unveils the refurbished QUEEN JENUVIA

nov 12 2026

FerrySeaworld Express Ferry held a relaunch ceremony titled ‘‘New Beginning Day – The Next Wave’ aboard QUEEN JENUVIA, which was berthed at Mokpo International Passenger Terminal. The event showcased the ferry’s new onboard experience and was attended by invited guests, influencers and members of the media.

Destination Gotland takes major step towards own biogas production

nov 12 2026

FerryThe first batch of liquid biogas (LBG) from the Eskilstuna facility is due to be delivered in February 2027. Destination Gotland plans to buy the majority of the plant’s output over a 10-year period. The facility will produce 5,400 tonnes of LBG a year from manure and food waste, equivalent to 10% of the annual fuel consumption of Destination Gotland’s two large RoPax ferries.

PERSEAS. Photo from the broker, Go Shipping & Management

H.-JOURNAULT to restart Rimouski–Forestville route on St Lawrence

nov 11 2026

FerryThe Greek-built double-ender PERSEAS, now renamed H.-JOURNAULT, has completed its transatlantic voyage and is in Canada being adapted for service under the Canadian flag. The vessel is expected to restart a ferry route across the St Lawrence River between Rimouski and Forestville, which runs only during the ice-free season. Crossings are due to begin in May 2027, subject to approval from the Quebec authorities.

Höegh Autoliners announces BYD battery deal at COP31

nov 11 2026

Ro-roThe 12th Aurora class 9,100 CEU PCTC, currently under construction at CMS Jiangsu shipyard for delivery in May 2028 and the last in the current series, will be fitted with BYD batteries following the signing of a strategic and technical cooperation agreement with BYD. BYD, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, is known for its advanced battery technology, which will now be used in the marine sector. The batteries will be integrated with the vessel’s shaft generator and solar panels, further reducing emissions when combined with the use of ammonia in the main engine.

Wasaline partners plan low-emission freight corridor from Vaasa to Trondheim

nov 11 2026

FerryWasaline, the Port of Trondheim, Kvarken Ports Umeå and Norwegian rail freight operator OnRail have started a joint project to develop a freight corridor between Finland and Norway’s Atlantic coast that keeps emissions low along the whole route.

SANTA MONICA's Jeju–Chuja–Jindo service to end on 31 December

nov 11 2026

High-speedSeaworld Express Ferry will stop running the fast ferry SANTA MONICA between Jeju, the Chuja Islands and Jindo at the end of the year. The company told Jeju Province in a letter that the ship will operate only until 31 December, two days after Chuja residents held a rally against the decision.

STENA NAUTICA's last Halmstad departure © Victor Mandersson

Stena Line pays Halmstad compensation after closing Grenaa route

nov 11 2026

FerryStena Line will pay the port company in Halmstad compensation running into hundreds of millions of Swedish krona for closing its Halmstad–Grenaa route 14 years before their agreement was due to expire, Hallandsposten reported on 9 November.

Canada's budget sets CAD 1.3 billion for eastern ferry services

nov 11 2026

FerryCanada's Budget 2026 proposes CAD 1.3 billion over eight years, on a cash basis from 2026–27, to renew the Ferry Services Contribution Program until 2032. The programme supports the Eastern Canada Ferry Services. According to the budget document, the money also covers measures to keep the services running, such as new terminals at Wood Islands on Prince Edward Island and Caribou in Nova Scotia, and the charter of interim replacement vessels.

High Court approves management buyout of Irish Continental Group

nov 11 2026

FinanceThe High Court in Ireland has sanctioned the scheme of arrangement under which Bluefin Bidco, the company set up by chief executive Eamonn Rothwell and three other senior managers, will acquire Irish Continental Group (ICG), the owner of Irish Ferries, ICG announced on 10 November. The EUR 1.2 billion management buyout, at EUR 8 per share, was announced in late July.

PZM group steps in as strategic investor in Polferries' owner PZB

nov 11 2026

FerryZegluga Polska, a subsidiary of the Polish Steamship Company (PZM), is to become a strategic investor in Polska Zegluga Baltycka (PZB), the Kolobrzeg-based operator that trades as Polferries. Deputy Infrastructure Minister Arkadiusz Marchewka announced the move on board Unity Line's new RoPax BURSZTYN UNITY in Szczecin on 10 November, the Polish news agency PAP reports. An agreement between the Ministry of Infrastructure, Zegluga Polska and PZB was signed the day before, and both companies remain in state ownership.

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DFDS to sell OPTIMA SEAWAYS

COTE D’ALBATRE takes the place of CORBIERE SEAWAYS during refit

(Upd. 12 Nov) Join your colleagues on board

BOREAS SOYA retires after 23 years with Heart Land Ferry

Final bids called in auction for StraitNZ

China Merchants RoRo takes delivery of methanol dual-fuel PCTC CM WU HAN

Split opens EUR 20.4 million international passenger terminal

Port of Tallinn eyes 2028 start for new Terminal A

Finnlines to move three Star-class ferries to Malmö as new ships arrive

Wallenius SOL changes name to Wallenius Link

Seaworld Express Ferry unveils the refurbished QUEEN JENUVIA

Destination Gotland takes major step towards own biogas production

H.-JOURNAULT to restart Rimouski–Forestville route on St Lawrence

Höegh Autoliners announces BYD battery deal at COP31

Wasaline partners plan low-emission freight corridor from Vaasa to Trondheim

SANTA MONICA's Jeju–Chuja–Jindo service to end on 31 December

Stena Line pays Halmstad compensation after closing Grenaa route

Canada's budget sets CAD 1.3 billion for eastern ferry services

High Court approves management buyout of Irish Continental Group

PZM group steps in as strategic investor in Polferries' owner PZB

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