The reason given by P&O Ferries was that the ferry operator “is not a viable business” in its current state. All P&O Ferries services are currently suspended and will return to normal operations within the coming days once the new crew have joined the vessels.   

One significant fact about this order is that it is for two vessels and not one as originally planned.  The two 94.8m x 18.7m newbuildings will be delivered by October 2024 and early 2025, respectively.

Designed by Flensburg-based naValue GmbH, a 40 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions has been achieved compared to the route’s most recent reference vessel thanks to more favourable main particulars, extensive CFD-based hull form optimisation and careful evaluation of propulsor types. In addition, the new ships will offer a much higher vehicle carrying capacity as well as a high degree of resilience as needed for CalMac’s lifeline services.

On arrival in Norway, VESTREFJORD will be prepared for entering service with her two sisterships MALMEFJORD and TOMREFJORD, both delivered in 2021, on Boreal’s service linking Molde and Vestnes.

Designed by Norway’s Multi Maritime, based in Førde, VESTREFJORD and her sisters measure 107m x 18m and can carry 399 passengers and 120 cars. The 2,922 gt ferries are all powered by a 2.016 MWH battery pack.

Wärtsilä to deliver first dedicated methanol fuel supply system

The technology company Wärtsilä has developed a dedicated fuel supply system for methanol, MethanolPac, as interest grows in the methanol pathway to decarbonisation. Combined with the recently introduced Wärtsilä 32 Methanol engine and the company’s well-proven retrofit and system integration capabilities, MethanolPac enables Wärtsilä to deliver methanol-capable fuel and power systems across a wide range of vessel segments.

Design Approved for World's First Methane Oxidation Catalyst System

Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), and Yanmar Power Technologies Co. (YPT), have received Approval in Principle for the Methane Oxidation Catalyst System from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK). The system reduces methane slip by placing a methane oxidation catalyst in an LNG fuel engine and oxidizing the methane. This is the first time in the world that a methane oxidation catalyst system has received Approval in Principle.

Port Everglades Explores Shore Power with FPL Agreement

Broward County and its Port Everglades Department reached a USD 495,000 agreement with Florida Power & Light (FPL) to explore providing electrical shore power (also called cold ironing) to all eight cruise ship berths at the world's third largest cruise homeport. The agreement gives FPL the go ahead to begin design services required to construct a new electrical sub-station and power distribution facilities at Port Everglades.

XipLink Enhances Telenor Satellite’s Anker Managed Service

XipLink, Inc is pleased to announce a successful collaboration with Telenor Satellite that has further enhanced their Anker Managed Service offering. The Anker Managed Service, delivered over an iDirect Technologies Velocity platform, provides Ka connectivity over the THOR 7 satellite to clients requiring higher bandwidth capacity and always-on connectivity in the maritime mobility sector.

ClassNK issues AiP for Fully Autonomous Ship Framework Developed by NYK, MTI and Japan Marine Science

Classification Society ClassNK granted the Approval in Principle (AiP) for a fully autonomous ship framework, jointly developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), MTI Co., Ltd. (MTI), and Japan Marine Science Inc.

ECSA backs EU waste shipment shift for recycling of EU-flagged ships at South Asian yards

Europe’s biggest shipowner body is throwing its weight behind a controversial proposed amendment to the EU’s Waste Shipment Regulation that would effectively make it possible to recycle EU-flagged ships at non-OECD shipbreaking facilities in South Asia.

Polferries activity update

Polferries currently provides free transport to Sweden for Ukrainian citizens and their cars. Over 5000 refugees have already benefited from this form of aid from the Polish shipowner. The company also offers free transport of humanitarian aid from Sweden. Every day ferries connect Swinoujscie with Ystad near Malmö and 6 times a week Gdansk with Nynäshamn near Stockholm.
Effective and safe assistance to refugees from Ukraine is possible thanks to the great commitment of the entire Polferries crew and full understanding of passengers.
The activities of the Polish shipowner are complemented by volunteers, organizations and institutions - both in Poland and Sweden. Port authorities in Gdansk, Swinoujscie, Ystad and Nynäshamn resigned from port charges, and the Port Authority of Gdansk organized daily, hot meals available at the terminal for all those in need.

RMC enters new production development phase and simultaneously renews its management

Finnish shipbuilding company Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), founded in 2014, has rapidly grown into a major player in the shipbuilding industry with an order book of more than EUR 1 billion. Due to the strong growth, the company has now entered an ambitious production phase with several ship orders and is renewing its management as part of this development.

Finnlines suspends traffic to Russia – humanitarian aid provided

Finnlines, like the Grimaldi Group, obeys all rules in force including Finnish flag rules, national laws, EU and international maritime laws. This also applies to sanctions, which are closely monitored and followed, and sanction lists are applied by Finnlines against all traffics, flags, firms and individuals indicated by the laws, and will continue to do so also in the future. Beside and beyond this obvious obedience, considering the growing concern about the international situation, Finnlines decided to unilaterally interrupt its traffic to Russia on 9 March, although not directly having any imposition to do so by laws in force. Instead, Finnlines will not ban and/or penalize any other people, company or mean different than those who national and international authorities are indicating, as this would be against non-discrimination principle included in its code of conduct.

DFDS february volume report: Mediterranean freight growth offset by lower channel volumes

Ferry – freight: For the last twelve months 2022-21, the total transported freight lane metres increased 6.2% to 43.1m from 40.6m in 2021-20.

Ferry – passenger: The number of passengers started to increase in February as travel restrictions were reduced. The number of passengers increased almost five times to 95k which equalled 40% of the number of passengers in February 2020, the latest comparable month pre-Covid-19. Volumes primarily increased between Norway and Denmark as well as on the Channel.