KiwiRail’s Interislander ferry operator buys the freight ro-ro VALENTINE from Rederi AB Gotland

VALENTINE © Jager

New Zealand’s cross Cook Strait ferry operator Interislander, owned by the government owned KiwiRail has taken up the option to buy the 23,987 gt 1999-built freight ro-ro VALENTINE from Sweden’s Rederi AB Gotland, which it has had on bareboat charter since November.

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New cruise ferry service in Thailand linking Pattaya and Koh Samui to start at the end of September

© Seahorse Ferry

The successful trial run of a new cruise ferry service between the two tourist hot spots of Pattaya and Kohn Samui on 10 September has opened the door for the start-up of a daily service towards the end of September.

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East Coast US operator Steamship Authority to buy two OSVs for conversion into passenger/freight ro-ros

HOS LODE STAR © Hornbeck Offshore Services

US East Coast operator The Wood’s Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority (Steamship Authority) is currently in the process of buying two US-owned OSVs for conversion into passenger/freight ro-ros to replace two of its ageing fleet – the 1982-built sisterships GAY HEAD and the KATAMA. Both of these vessels can carry 150 passengers and 39 vehicles.

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Sado Kisen bought EHIME from Uwajima Unyu

EHIME © Uwajima Unyu

Sado Kisen announced that they bought the 2001-built car ferry EHIME from Uwajima Unyu.

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South-Korean built 41-knot Incat Crowther ferry delivered

Incat Crowther announced the launch of the 72m passenger ferry KOREA PRIDE. Incat Crowther supported Korea Express Ferry in the building of the ship that will operate from Incheon on the west coast of South Korea. 

In procuring such a ferry, Korea Express Ferry set very high safety, comfort and performance standards. The operator also specified that the ship be built locally, becoming the first ship of this type constructed in South Korea.

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Princess Cruises unveils bespoke next generation ship - SUN PRINCESS

© Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises revealed its new and bespoke ship platform that is the brand's largest ship ever that will accommodate over 4,000 guests. The new SUN PRINCESS boasts stunning views, expansive venues, innovative entertainment venues, multi-story dining rooms and next level stateroom accommodations while remaining true to the smooth clean lines and design aesthetics inspired by the Seawitch icon and popularized in the original "Love Boat" TV series and returning the venerable SUN PRINCESS name back into operation.

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CARNIVAL CELEBRATION successfully completes sea trials ahead of debut at PortMiami in November

Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, CARNIVAL CELEBRATION, is one more milestone closer to her highly-anticipated debut in her homeport of PortMiami after successfully completing sea trials in the Baltic Sea.

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Fincantieri will build four further cruise ships for Viking

The first in the series, VIKING STAR, was built at the shipyard in Marghera and delivered in 2015.

In the context of the announcement for six options dated March 2018, Fincantieri and Viking have put into effect the contracts for the third and fourth ships. The companies also have signed the contract for the fifth and sixth units, subject to access to financing as per industry practice. The total value of the agreements is about EUR 1.7 billion.
Deliveries are scheduled respectively in 2026, 2027 and two in 2028.

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Extension of ATLANTIC VISION charter agreement

© Marine Atlantic

A subsidiary of AS Tallink Grupp, Baltic SF IX Limited and Marine Atlantic Inc, a Canadian company with the state participation therein, have concluded to extend the current charter agreement of ATLANTIC VISION (ex. SUPERFAST IX) for 18 months, until May 2024, with an option to extend the agreement for an additional 12 months.

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The next Disney Cruise Line ship will be named DISNEY TREASURE

At D23 Expo on Sunday, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro shared news and updates from Disney theme parks and beyond, including a trove of new adventures in store for Disney Cruise Line guests. As part of the announcements, he unveiled first details on the fleet's sixth ship, concept art for its new island destination and an all-new vacation experience for Australia and New Zealand residents. 

Disney fans were the first to learn that the next Disney Cruise Line ship will be named DISNEY TREASURE.

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Aurelia’s 100% hydrogen powered design awarded RINA approval

Aurelia Green Ship Concept Design has unveiled a new design with 100% hydrogen propulsion, which challenges the future of the green design business. The Certificate of Approval in Principle has been issued by RINA based on the new published RINA Rules for Hydrogen Fuelled Ships and the RINA Guide for the Approval in Principle of Novel Technologies.

The new design concept is the ACD01 1000, a ro-ro vessel for transporting ro-ro cargo, with electric propulsion using highly compressed H2 as fuel. Beyond the green design, the difference is marked by the ship's hydrogen-based engine system, which can be applied to other ship designs.

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Naming ceremony held for the world’s biggest ice-rated ConRo vessel - BOTNIA ENABLER

© Port of Skellefteå

BOTNIA ENABLER is not only the world’s biggest ice-rated ConRo vessel with multi-fuel operation, but also the biggest ship that has ever called at the Port of Skellefteå. It was with much due pomp and ceremony that invited guests, politicians and representatives of trade and industry bore witness to the ship’s godmother Ulla Löfven when she according to tradition broke a bottle of champagne against the ship’s 242 metre long hull.

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Next step to the climate-neutral ship

Helix Fuel Cell Cruise Concept © MEYER WERFT

The methanol-powered fuel cell system from MEYER WERFT's strategic partner Freudenberg e-Power Systems is the first of its kind in the world to receive class approval. This means that the system can now be used on seagoing vessels and represents an important development step towards new maritime energy systems and climate-friendly shipping.

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DFDS august volumes: Strong passenger demand, freight remains robust in most regions

Ferry – freight: Due to lower volumes in the Baltic Sea region and on the Dover Strait, total volumes in August 2022 were 5.2% below 2021. Freight volumes were higher than in 2021 in all other regions.

Ferry – passenger: The number of passengers increased fourfold to 693k equal to 82% of volumes in August 2019, the latest comparable month pre-Covid-19. The number of cars equalled 85% of volumes in 2019. 

Telenor Maritime secures lead in maritime connectivity in northern Europe

Telenor Maritime has signed a 5-year partnership contract with Polferries during this year’s SMM event. The contract secures Telenor Maritime a solid position in the European ferry market.
Telenor Maritime will deliver passenger services (wi-fi and mobile), as well as connectivity between ship and shore, to all 5 of Polferries’ vessels in operation.