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Shippax News Bulletin – 38

- In association with Interferry

Dear Subscriber,

We bring you some news from the week, which this time include the winners of the Shippax Awards that were handed out at our conference a few weeks back.

Photo above: WASA EXPRESS gets a proper scrubbing and reveal some of its earlier livery before handed over to its new owner United Marine Egypt (UME). Photo Jukka Huotari

Contact the news team? news@shippax.se

Wish you a great weekend!


Winners of the Shippax Award 2021

The Shippax Awards were launched in 1996 as a means to stimulate innovative solutions and trendsetters. The idea behind it is to promote noteworthy design features on newly-delivered ro-pax and ro-ro vessels.

The announcement and hand-over of the Shippax Awards 2021 took place in conjunction with the Shippax Ferry Conference, held on board PEARL SEAWAYS, 31 Aug-2 Sep 2021.

The awarded ships were all delivered between 1 January and 31 December 2020.

And the winners were:

Shippax Ferry Design Award - FESTØYA
Shippax Ferry Interior Award - QUEEN JENUVIA
Shippax Technology and Design Award - WILLEM BARENTSZ
Shippax Ro-Ro Technology and Environmental Award - ECO VALENCIA
Shippax Deep-Sea Ro-Ro Environmental Award - SIEM CONFUCIUS

READ THE FULL STORY



K Line to order up to eight next-generation environmentally friendly car carriers

CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN became the first LNG-powered vessel in the K Line fleet when it was delivered in March this year © K Line

CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN became the first LNG-powered vessel in the K Line fleet when it was delivered in March this year © K Line

K Line has placed an order at three separate shipyards for six 7,000 CEU LNG-fueled car carriers, following their March-delivered CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN.

Nihon Shipyard, Shin Kurushima Dockyard and China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing), will each build two units that will be delivered between 2023 and 2025.

The order holds an option for two more units.

READ THE FULL STORY



Historic agreement between Stena Line and Frederikshavn signed for two fossil fuel free ferries by 2030

STENA ELEKTRA © Stena Line (Peter Mild)

STENA ELEKTRA © Stena Line (Peter Mild)

Stena Line, Frederikshavn Municipality, and the Port of Frederikshavn have signed a historic agreement in which the parties commit to making Gothenburg-Frederikshavn the world's first fossil fuel free ferry line of its kind, with two battery-powered STENA ELEKTRA vessels launched by 2030. 

Facts about STENA ELEKTRA:

  • Two fossil fuel free RoPax ferries (car and passenger ferries)
  • Route: Frederikshavn - Gothenburg
  • Starts operating the line by 2030
  • Battery powered with a capacity of around 60-70 MWh, charged in port
  • Shore infrastructure: need for a high voltage shore power cable of around 30-40 MW
  • Crossing time: 3 hours, with one hour turnaround call/charging time
  • Length: Approximately 200 metres
  • Freight and vehicle capacity: approximately 3 000 lane meters
  • Passenger capacity: 1,000-1,500 passengers

READ THE FULL STORY



Visentini floats out its largest ropax newbuilding to date for Corsica Linea

Visentini number 238 being built for Corsica Linea © Corsica Linea

Visentini number 238 being built for Corsica Linea © Corsica Linea

The first of a new design of ropax and its largest vessel built to date was floated out at Italian roro ferry specialist Visentini on 20 September – the as yet unnamed 37,599 gt ropax for Corsica Linea.

Due for delivery in July 2022 this 206.6m vessel will operate between Marseille and Ajaccio.

Designed by Naos Ship & Boat Design to its P355 designed, in co-operation with Visentini, the Corsica Linea newbuilding will be able to carry 650 passengers, 2,559 lanemetres of freight and 149 cars. The 23 knot vessel features a new, improved FlexBow 2.0 design and will be powered by dual fuel LNG main engines (2 x 11,700 kW) with fuel tanks fitted aft on deck.

READ THE FULL STORY



SeaRoad signs with FSG for another Bass Strait ro-ro

© FSG

© FSG

Devonport’s SeaRoad Shipping inked a contract on 20 September with Flensburger Schiffsbau Gesellschaft for what will be the largest ever ro-ro deployed to operate between Tasmania and mainland Australia. 

FSG delivered the custom-built, LNG-fuelled, 181.5-metre, 25,490 GT SEAROAD MERSEY II at the end of 2016 and SeaRoad took on charter another FSG product, Siem's 210-metre, 32,887 GT LIEKUT in March this year. The latter replaced the 30-year old SEAROAD TAMAR which was sold to Greek owners but scrapped in Bangladesh en route to the Mediterranean.

The new vessel will also be 210 metres in length and LNG–fuelled but an extra deck will take gross tonnage to 43,100 GT. Construction will begin later this year for delivery 4Q 2023 into Devonport-Melbourne service.

Technical data of the RoRo vessel newbuilding 784 for SeaRoad
Length: 210 metres
Width: 29.30 metres
Gross registered tonnage 43,100
Power main engines: 2 x 10,300 kilowatts
Deadweight: 12,183 tonnes
Speed: 22.50 knots
Cabins: 25 (27 berths)
Cargo capacities: 3,792 lane metres plus capacity for over 100 trade vehicles

READ THE FULL STORY



Finance

Attica Group 1H 2021 financial results

The Attica Group released its financial results for the first half of the year. Consolidated revenue increased slightly to EUR 122.19 million (EUR 117.00 million), while the group ended up with consolidated EBITDA losses of EUR 4.38 million (earnings of EUR 1.94 million), and consolidated losses after taxes amounted to EUR 34.05 million (losses after taxes of EUR 40.96 million).

KiwiRail gets world-first green loan certification for new ferries

KiwiRail’s $350m loan facility to finance the purchase of two new Interislander ferries has become the first shipping loan in the world to be certified by the Climate Bond Initiative (CBI). To gain CBI certification, KiwiRail demonstrated a clear path for fuel and propulsion systems achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050, which supports KiwiRail and the New Zealand Government’s objectives.


Tallink Grupp secures another short-term charter deal for SILJA EUROPA

SILJA EUROPA © Kai Ortel

SILJA EUROPA © Kai Ortel

Tallink Grupp has recently signed another charter agreement for its Tallinn-Helsinki route cruise vessel SILJA EUROPA for the period 17 October to 17 November 2021. The vessel will provide accommodation during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), organised by the United Kingdom in partnership with Italy and taking place in Glasgow, Scotland on 31 October – 12 November 2021.

READ THE FULL STORY


Green Marine Future – funding for sustainability projects secured for Uber Boat

London’s leading River Bus operator, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers , has won Department for Transport (DfT) funding to support three projects to research and develop green river transport for the future. 

Already a modern and fuel-efficient passenger boat service operating on the River Thames, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers applied for the funding in collaboration with other partners, via the Innovate UK Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, to further drive green tech capabilities forward. The three projects, which focus on new power and propulsion technologies and emissions-reducing solutions, are part of the business’s long-term commitment supporting the sustainable growth of infrastructure and economic development on and around the river.

READ THE FULL STORY


Wärtsilä ensures optimal performance and minimal carbon footprint for world’s most environmentally friendly ferry

AURORA BOTNIA © RMC

AURORA BOTNIA © RMC

The technology group Wärtsilä and Wasaline, the Finnish–Swedish ferry operator, have signed a ten-year Optimised Maintenance agreement covering the company’s new ferry, the AURORA BOTNIA. The agreement was signed in June 2021, but became effective in September.

READ THE FULL STORY


Torqeedo and Fassmer Shipyard announce the CIT-E Ferry - a passenger ferry for public transport

Fassmer Shipyard, a producer of composite boats, and Torqeedo, a supplier of integrated electric drive systems for boats, have announced a fully electric ferry concept for public transport – the Fassmer CIT-E Ferry powered by a Torqeedo integrated drive system. 

Deep Blue lithium-ion batteries with a battery bank capacity of between 80 kWh and 1 MWh power the integrated drive system.

Fassmer's CIT-E Ferry is fully ES-TRIN 2021 compliant with up to a 100-passenger capacity. The modular concept allows the customer to adapt the vessel's overall length from 12 to 24 meters, depending on the route serviced.

READ THE FULL STORY


Shell to launch Singapore's first fully-electric ferry service

© Incat Crowther

© Incat Crowther

Shell has awarded a contract to Singapore company, Penguin International Limited, to design, build and operate at least three fully-electric ferries which, when operational, will be the first fully-electric ferry service in Singapore and a first for Shell globally. Expected to set sail in the first half of 2023, the new 200-seater single-deck ferries will be used to transport passengers between mainland Singapore to Shell’s Energy and Chemicals Park on the island of Bukom, replacing the conventional diesel-powered ferries currently used. 

The approximately 5.5-kilometre-long ferry route off the Straits of Singapore is a busy connection which transports around 3,000 passengers a day, or an estimated 1.8 million passenger trips annually.

The fully-electric ferries are powered by a lithium-ion battery system with a capacity of 1.2 MWh and run at speeds of over 20 knots with zero emissions and noise. When berthed at Shell Bukom, the ferries will be charged via a combination of fast charging during peak hours, and slow charging during off-peak hours and overnight.

READ THE FULL STORY


Two new duty free border shops to open in Holyhead and Fishguard

Swedish retailer R&F Travel Retail has announced plans for two new duty free border shops in Wales. The first new outlet has opened its doors in Holyhead Port this week, with the second opening in Fishguard Port later in the year. The stores will offer duty free bargains on products such as drinks, perfume and cigarettes, which can be purchased at prices up to 60% cheaper than regular retail prices due to Brexit.

Both stores will be located with the ports themselves, allowing travel passengers to and from Wales to take advantage of R&F’s fantastic deals. Duty Free has been permitted to be sold again on ferries from the UK to the EU since January, following a 22 year absence. But this is the first time Duty Free will be sold separately in retail outlets within the ports.

READ THE FULL STORY


LNG bunker terminal construction begins in Bilbao

Bilbao ferry terminal © Brittany Ferries

Bilbao ferry terminal © Brittany Ferries

Fuel giant Repsol has confirmed the start of construction of the LNG bunker facilities in Bilbao, which paves the way for the arrival of Brittany Ferries’ first LNG powered-ship SALAMANCA. Work on the bunker terminal be completed in the first half of next year, coinciding with the ship’s arrival. SALAMANCA will serve UK-Spain routes and will be joined by a second LNG-powered vessel called SANTONA arriving in 2023. A separate LNG bunker facility will be constructed by Repsol in Santander and preparatory work is already taking place.

READ THE FULL STORY


Wärtsilä signs five-year Optimised Maintenance agreement featuring latest digital innovations with STQ of Canada

F.-A.-GAUTHIER © STQ

F.-A.-GAUTHIER © STQ

The technology group Wärtsilä has entered into a customised five-year Optimised Maintenance agreement with Canadian ferry operator Societé des Traversiers du Quebec (STQ). The agreement covers the F.-A.-GAUTHIER, a 133 metres long ferry operating with Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines and other Wärtsilä equipment. Signing of the agreement took place in the second quarter of 2021 and there is a further five-year extension option. This agreement is a renewal of a maintenance agreement that had been running for the previous five years.

READ THE FULL STORY


ScandiNAOS AB signed an MoU with Deccan Water Treatment Private Limited to provide methanol powered engines for marine and land applications

The Swedish ship design company ScandiNAOS AB who has been spear heading the introduction of methanol as marine fuel, has signed and memorandum of understanding, MoU with the Indian company, Deccan Water Treatment Private Limited to establish a joint venture company.
The objective of the JV Deccan ScandiNAOS India Ltd is to provide methanol powered engines for both marine and land applications, not only for the Indian market but for, the whole Asian, Australian and African markets.

Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines sign partnership to cooperate on smart ship and autonomous ship control solutions

To provide customers with complete automation solutions from a single trusted source, Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines Robotics announce a new collaboration that will deliver comprehensive remote command, autonomous control and intelligent crew support systems to the marine market and complement Rolls-Royce’s mtu NautIQ marine automation portfolio. As part of this agreement, Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems and Sea Machines, the leading developer of remote-vessel command and autonomous control systems, will join forces on the development and sale of fully and semi-autonomous vessel control systems. The combination of Rolls-Royce’s propulsion and automation solutions with Sea Machines’ vessel control products will offer marine customers significant benefits in terms of vessel operations, safety, efficiency and environmental impact.

Ferry confident: Brits rate ferries safer than travel by planes and coaches

Research from ferry industry body, Discover Ferries, reveals consumer confidence in using public transport has risen. The results also show more Brits would feel less concerned about contracting Covid when travelling by ferry than by aeroplane or coach. Those aged 35 and over feel ferries are a safer mode of transport than planes, trains and coaches.

Wärtsilä and SHI agree to collaborate on ammonia fuelled engines for future newbuilds

The technology group Wärtsilä and the Korean shipbuilding company Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have signed a joint development programme (JDP) agreement aimed at developing ammonia-fuelled vessels with 4-stroke auxiliary engines available for future newbuild projects. Both parties recognise the importance of future carbon-free fuels in the marine industry’s drive towards decarbonisation. The agreement was signed in July 2021.

Getlink and CargoBeamer team up to launch the first unaccompanied cross-Channel service by rail

Eurotunnel and CargoBeamer have signed a partnership which will see the launch of a new, 100% unaccompanied rail freight transport service across the Short Straits, from Calais to Ashford.
The extension of the rolling motorway from Perpignan to Ashford is a logical step in developing a future international intermodal network between the Channel and the Mediterranean. A second route from Domodossola, in the Alps region, to Calais will also be extended to Ashford after its launch in early October.

Red Funnel celebrates 160 years of serving the Isle of Wight

Red Funnel has officially reached its 160th birthday, marking over a century and a half of travel between the Isle of Wight and mainland – serving as the island’s original and longest standing ferry operator.
The ferry operator first launched in 1861 as the ‘Southampton Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Limited’. During its long history it has hosted millions of passengers, from islanders and commuters to families exploring the Isle of Wight, to celebrities and royals.


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