Top 20 conventional ro-pax operators

Top 20 ferry operators conventional ro-pax fleet gross-ton, freight lanemetre capacities and passenger capacities, as of 1 April 2022.

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BC Ferries record the highest ever first quarter for vehicle traffic

In June, BC Ferries assigned LMG Marin as design agent for its new major vessels © LMG Marin

Revenues for the three months ending 30 June 2022 increased USD 35.7 million compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily as a result of higher traffic volumes and net retail sales, partially offset by lower applied Safe Restart Funding. Excluding Safe Restart Funding, revenues increased USD 93.2 million compared to the same period in the prior year. Net earnings for the first quarter were USD 7.9 million compared to USD 4.7 million in the same period the previous year.

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Scottish government charters Ambassador Cruise Line’s AMBITION as floating accommodation for Ukrainian refugees

AMBITION © Ambassador Cruise Line

With many applications from Ukrainian refugees to take up residence in Scotland and available housing in short supply, the Scottish government has been forced into chartering a second vessel to act as a floating accommodation. Without even entering service for the company, newly established UK cruise line Ambassador has chartered its recently acquired cruise vessel AMBITION to act as an accommodation vessel for up to 1,750 people in in the centre of Glasgow.

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SUNRISE JEJU stops Jeju and starts Ulleung-do service

SUNRISE JEJU in H Ferry livery © H Ferry

The 2020-built 143m long SUNRISE JEJU is about to start a new service to/from Ulleung-do Island in Eastern Korea, likely from the Pohang mainland base port. The ship will be renamed ULLEUNG SUNFLOWER and will operate under a new company name called Sunflower Cruise.

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New E-Flexer STENA ESTELLE about to take up operation

STENA ESTELLE in Karlskrona archipelago © Stena Line

The Karlskrona-Gdynia route receives a boost in capacity and efficiency when the two largest E-Flexer’s are being deployed in 2022, starting with STENA ESTELLE on 4 September. 

Stena Line´s newest addition to the fleet - STENA ESTELLE - has already sailed around half the world. Departing from its building shipyard in East China in June, the ferry passed through Singapore, India, the Middle East and Gibraltar, before setting course towards the Baltic Sea. Currently STENA ESTELLE stays at Remontowa shipyard in Gdansk for the final adjustments, so it can take up its regular service on Gdynia-Karlskrona. The first departure is planned for 4 September from Gdynia, and the new ship's schedule is already available for bookings.

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Stena Line Grenaa-Halmstad ferry guaranteed until 2034

Since 1 February 2020, Stena Line's ferry has sailed between the cities of Grenaa and Halmstad. With the new agreement, ferry services between the two regions are guaranteed right up to and including 2034. This means, among other things, that truckers and freight forwarders can be sure that their trucks can take a shortcut across the Kattegat and are not dependent on driving across the Great Belt and the Øresund Bridge to get to and from Sweden.

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DFDS reported strong growth in Q2

AURA SEAWAYS © George Giannakis

DFDS reported Q2 revenue of DKK 7 billion, compared to DKK 4.2 billion in 2021. EBITDA grew by 63% to DKK 1.46 billion. Full-year EBITDA outlook raised to DKK 4.4-4.8 billion on 18 July 2022.

Outlook 2022, updated
• EBITDA range DKK 4.4-4.8 billion (18 July 2022)
• Revenue growth of around 40%

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KiwiRail selects MAN engines for new ferries

KiwiRail has selected German multi-national MAN Energy Solutions to supply the main generator engines for its new hybrid-electric fleet arriving from 2025. The Inter-island Resilient Connection (iReX) programme is a USD 1.45 billion investment which will see KiwiRail’s two new, rail-enabled ferries coming into service in 2025 and 2026, and the construction of new terminal precincts in Waitohi Picton and Kaiwharawhara Wellington.

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Crowley Secures Subcontract for Casco Bay Lines Hybrid-Electric Ferry

Casco Bay Lines newbuild © Elliott Bay Design Group

Crowley has been selected by Senesco Marine to provide design verification and production packaging for a hybrid-electric passenger vehicle ferry for Casco Bay Lines of Portland, Maine. As part of an elite project team, Crowley brings expansive capabilities in sustainable, emissions-reducing design and construction services.

Expected to be in service in 2024, the passenger-vehicle ferry will be a true hybrid vessel with the ability to operate using a diesel-electric system, a zero-emissions, fully battery-powered system, or a combination of those options. The vessel, which will hold up to 599 passengers and 15 vehicles, will replace an existing diesel-powered ferry, resulting in a reduction of 800 tons of carbon dioxide each year.

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Portsmouth International Port hits solar power project milestone

The installation of a ground-breaking solar and battery system at Portsmouth International Port has reached a major milestone. The scheme, managed by Portsmouth City Council’s in-house energy services team and installed by Custom Solar, has seen 2,660 solar panels installed ready for the next stage of the project.

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VIKAND Signs Healthcare Contract with Resorts World Cruises

GENTING DREAM

Global Healthcare specialist VIKAND has signed a contract with Resorts World Cruises that is headquartered in Singapore to provide healthcare and medical operations consulting services. VIKAND’s team will assist and support the senior leadership team at Resorts World Cruises, including the shipboard management and medical team with healthcare regulatory and safety issues, operating procedures, sourcing, and recruitment medical staff, ensuring that Resorts World Cruises have access to world class medical support at their fingertips.

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PONANT’s new science-focused exploration vessel starts collecting Arctic Ocean data with FerryBox on board

LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT © Nicolas Dubruil

Sea water sensor and measuring system manufacturer -4H-JENA engineering’s FerryBox multi-parameter water measurement system is now being used to evaluate the role of global warming and glacial meltwater on the rising level of oxygen in the oceans aboard French designer of inspiring voyages aboard small exploration ships PONANT’s LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT, the world’s only luxury icebreaker, a hybrid-electric vessel powered by liquified natural gas.

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CapMan Infra exits its stake in Norled to CBRE Investment Management

HYDRA © Norled

CapMan Infra and CBRE Investment Management (CBRE IM), which each acquired a 50 per cent stake in leading Norwegian ferry and express boat operator Norled AS in 2019, have now entered into an agreement for CBRE IM to acquire the entire stake managed by CapMan. The exit is the first from the CapMan Nordic Infrastructure I fund. CBRE IM is making the investment on behalf of a fund it sponsors as well as some of its separately managed accounts.

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Carnival Cruise Line says booking activity nearly doubles 2019 comparison after covid protocols simplified

After announcing last Friday that it was revising pre-cruise vaccination and testing requirements that will allow more guests to sail, Carnival Cruise Line said that its booking activity for Monday, Aug. 15 was nearly double the level for the equivalent day in 2019.

Late summer Helsinki passenger numbers at approximately 80% of pre-COVID levels

Ship travel in Helsinki has recovered to a level approximately 20% below the record-breaking years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the volume of cargo transported via Helsinki is on track to breaking the previous record.

Port of Roenne is the first port in Denmark to be certified within the UN’s global goals

Port of Roenne is focused on being a sustainable port and a center for green energy in the Baltic Sea. An important step to reach the goals is to be the first port in Denmark certified within the UN's global goals.

DFDS: July volume report: Strong passenger recovery, drop in channel freight market

Ferry – freight: Total volumes in July 2022 were 6.2% below 2021. Activity was overall robust in freight markets except for parts of the Baltic Sea region and the Channel Dover Strait corridor.
Ferry – passenger: The number of passengers increased fivefold to 639k equal to 90% of volumes in July 2019, the latest comparable month pre-Covid-19.

Caterpillar Motoren reduces CO2 emissions with new alternative fuel option enabling 25% hydrogen usage for the Cat® G20CM34 engines

Caterpillar Motoren has introduced a new alternative fuel option for customers enabling the usage of up to 25% of hydrogen content mixed with natural gas in Cat® G20CM34 engines. Prior to this upgrade, G20CM34 gas engines operated with a hydrogen content of up to 10%. With the improved hydrogen capability, Caterpillar Motoren provides customers a new option for alternative fuels to help achieve their climate goals.

People from the planet Voca to land on VIKING GLORY – this musical theatre show has been seen by two million people around the world

The international musical theatre show The Voca People has filled theatres in many countries for a number of years, and two million people have already seen a performance. Now Viking Line is offering the show, which combines a cappella singing and beat box vocals, on its flagship, VIKING GLORY.

Carnival Cruise Line removes pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests and welcomes all unvaccinated to sail

Carnival Cruise Line announced protocol updates that meet public health goals but recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19. With these changes, America's Cruise Line is making it easier for more guests to sail with simplified vaccination and testing guidelines, including no testing for vaccinated guests on sailings less than 16 nights, and eliminating the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who will only need to show a negative test result at embarkation. All new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 or later, and include: