Shippax News Bulletin – 42
- In association with Interferry
Dear Subscriber,
Please find the headlines of the news added to the Shippax website during week 42.
It is good to know that not all the news is published online. For full news coverage, including fleet change reports, orderbooks, projects & conversions, our unique traffic statistics and much much more, please subscribe to our monthly magazine, Shippax INFO. As a subscriber, you also get access at our website to search for over 17,000 previously printed articles and news from all Shippax publications and magazines dating back to 1996.
Have a nice weekend!
Havyard Shipyard delivers VESTRÅTT and AUSTRÅTT to Fjord1
© Stig Breidvik
The last two double-enders in the three-ship ‘MM 62 FD EL’ series built for Fjord1, have been delivered by Havyard Shipyard in Norway.
World premiere: LNG bunkering for AIDAnova
AIDAnova photographed during her last week's River Ems conveyance © Christian Costa
For the first time in the history of cruise shipping, LNG has been bunkered as the main fuel of a cruise ship. The LNG was transferred from the 2017-built LNG bunker barge CARDISSA to the AIDAnova whilst alongside the outfitting quay in Eemshaven.
Quo vadis Attica Group?
Will Attica Group change hands? © Philippe Holthof
A new round of mergers and acquisitions in Greece’s significant coastal shipping sector is on the horizon, following the recent acquisition of Hellenic Seaways by Attica Group, operator of Blue Star Ferries and Superfast Ferries.
Lloyd Werft receives CRYSTAL SERENITY for major overhaul
CRYSTAL SERENITY approaching Bremerhaven © Christian Eckardt
Leading cruise vessel refit specialist Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven has received its latest guest – Crystal Cruises’ 68,870gt, 2003-built CRYSTAL SERENITY. The luxury cruise vessel will be in drydock in Bremerhaven until 6 November for a works package similar to that undertaken on fleet mate CRYSTAL SYMPHONY in September/October last year.
MSC Cruises to enter medium-size ultra-luxury market
© George Giannakis
As expected, MSC Cruises is entering the niche market of medium-size ultra-luxury cruise ships and has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Fincantieri for the construction of up to four 64,000gt ships with a 1,000-passenger (lower berth) capacity.
Tallink returns to Rauma for new Tallinn-Helsinki Shuttle ferry
MEGASTAR is the reference ship for Tallink's new Shuttle ferry © Kai Ortel
Hot on the heels of the delivery of HAMMERSHUS to Molslinjen, Tallink Grupp and Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the construction of a new Shuttle ferry that will join the 2017-built MEGASTAR between Tallinn and Helsinki, one of the group’s best performing routes. Tallink Grupp expects to sign a firm contract before the end of this year.
Canary Bridge Seaways reveals schedules
Canary Bridge Seaways will operate the ro-pax MARTIN I SOLER and the ro-ro CLIPPER PENNANT © Marc Ottini
Canary Bridge Seaways (CBS), the joint venture between Baleària and Fred. Olsen Express, has announced its plan for its new service linking the Canary Islands with the Spanish Peninsula. The new service is scheduled to commence on 11 November, with sailings from both the Peninsula and the Canary Islands.
CARNIVAL VICTORY to undergo stem-to-stern refit in 2020
CARNIVAL VICTORY will be renamed CARNIVAL RADIANCE following her 2020 refurbishment © Kai Ortel
The final piece in Carnival Cruise Line’s USD 2 billion fleet upgrade programme, which began in 2011, will take place in Cadiz, Spain between 18 March and 26 April 2020 when the 101,509gt, 2000-built CARNIVAL VICTORY enters the Navantia shipyard for a 38-day refit which will transform the vessel into CARNIVAL RADIANCE.
AURELIA put up for sale
AURELIA to leave the Adriatic? © Marc Ottini
According to Italian brokers’ sources, Tirrenia has decided to dispose of its 1980-built AURELIA.
Atlânticoline ends summer season with positive figures
The Seajets-owned AQUA JEWEL was chartered by Atlânticoline © Kai Ortel
Atlânticoline, the publicly-owned Azores ferry operator, ended the 2018 summer season on 29 September, reporting encouraging figures. Atlânticoline's passenger carryings went down by 1.6% compared to 2017 which was an atypical year as passenger figures boosted thanks to a local incentive aimed at elderly people. Compared to 2016, figures were up 15% reaching 70,086 passengers. The number of cars soared by 20% to 13,325 units. A total of 586 sailings were offered.
Lite Ferries further increases capacity
The heavily converted LITE FERRY 18 was originally built as BAO DAO 8 © Lite Ferries
Lite Ferries is about to increase its capacity with the introduction of LITE FERRY 18. Earlier this year, the Philippine-based ferry operator added the lightweight medium-speed ro-pax catamaran LITE FERRY 88 to its fleet.
Fosen Yard becomes majority shareholder of Nordseewerke
Anders Straumsheim, CEO of Fosen at the Nordseewerke © Fosen
Fosen Yard, together with the investment group around Deutsche Industrieanlagen and Patrick Hennings-Huep, the previous owner of Nordseewerke Emden Shipyard, has entered into an agreement to establish Fosen Nordseewerke GmbH and jointly take over the ongoing business in Emden.
Spirits flying high
TT-Line Tasmania has been doing brisk business © Dale Crisp
Tasmania’s TT-Line is continuing its upward trajectory as planning and preparations ramp up for two new Flensburger ro-paxes for Bass Strait in 2021.
New Zealand’s Interislander to order new ro-pax ferries at the end of 2018
KAIARAHI is on long-term charter from Stena RoRo © Yoshiho Ikeda
New Zealand’s Cook Strait ferry operator Interislander, owned by KiwiRail, is to order an undisclosed number of new ro-paxes at the end of 2018 to replace its current three-ship fleet, said Acting KiwiRail CEO Todd Moyle.
The Cat carried 21% more passengers during the 2018 summer season
The Cat carried 21% more passengers during the 2018 summer season © Bay Ferries
The seasonal high-speed ferry service between Portland, Maine (USA) and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (Canada) ceased on 8 October with a robust growth. A total of 50,185 passengers were recorded compared to 35,551 passengers in 2016 and 41,623 last year when the high-speed catamaran The Cat (ALAKAI) was plagued by mechanical failures which led to 25% of the sailings being cancelled.
Double-ended THEOLOGOS B II launched
The latest THEOLOGOS B (II) is a sister of HABIB ACHOUR © Shippax archive
On 13 October the Panagiotakis Shipyard in Salamina launched THEOLOGOS B II, a 1,365gt double-ender that is a sister of the 2016-built THEOLOGOS B (renamed HABIB ACHOUR following her sale to Sonotrak) and the 2017-built PANAGIOTIS D.
Baleària update
MARIN I SOLER is one of three ferries to be re-engined with dual fuel Caterpillar Marine MaK 9M46DF engines © Marc Ottini
With no Moroccan operator interested in serving the route between Almeria and Nador, it would appear that the Moroccan ‘Marine Marchande’ authorities have authorised Baleària to continue operating on the route, competing with Trasmediterranea.
Further delay to Pentland Ferries’ Vietnamese newbuilding
Artist's impression of ALFRED © BMT Nigel Gee
There’s more bad news for Scottish ferry operator Pentland Ferries which operates a single vessel service linking the Scottish mainland with Orkney; its new steel-hulled catamaran passenger/vehicle ferry building in Vietnam will not arrive in Orkney until the end of March 2019.
Barreras launches first The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s luxury yacht-type newbuilding
RCYC's yet unnamed newbuilding took to the water © Hijos de J. Barreras
The first of three 24,000gt yacht-like luxury cruise vessels building at northern Spanish shipyard Hijos de J. Barreras in Vigo for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (RCYC) was launched on 9 October in front of senior representatives from RCYC, Marriott International, the shipyard and the regional government. RCYC also has an option on a further two vessels at the shipyard.
Hijos de J. Barreras to build Naviera Armas’ largest ever ro-pax
Side profile of Armas' newbuilding ordered at Barreras © Naviera Armas
The long-awaited newbuilding contract for what will become the largest ro-pax ever in the history of Naviera Armas has now been officially signed with Hijos de J. Barreras, the Vigo-based shipbuilder with whom the Canaries-headquartered ferry operator has a longstanding relationship.
Grimaldi adds new line to Sardinia
EUROFERRY MALTA will connect Genoa with Porto Torres three times per week © Shippax archive
Grimaldi Group is further expanding its domestic network with a new thrice weekly Genoa-Porto Torres freight-oriented route to be inaugurated by the 1995-built EUROFERRY MALTA on 13 October.
EXPRESS sold to new Greek joint venture
EXPRESS seen in the Canaries while on charter to Naviera Armas © Ralph Axelson
The twenty-year-old Incat 91 wave piercer catamaran EXPRESS has been sold to a new Greek joint venture following the termination of its charter to Naviera Armas on 10 October. Greek media suggest that EXPRESS was sold to the Stefanou-controlled Golden Star Ferries, but Shippax understands that it is rather a joint venture between Golden Star Ferries and Fast Ferries of Theologos Panagiotakis.
Financials
Rederi AB Gotland published its interim report
Rederi AB Gotland which, in addition to ferry operator Destination Gotland AB, also includes property management, hotel operations and Stockholms Reparationsvarv AB together with Nya Skärgårdsbolaget AB, has released its interim report for the 1 January-31 August 2018 period. The Group reached a turnover of SEK 1,737 million for the period (1,653), with operating profit amounting to SEK 329 million (327). Profit after financial income and expenses decreased from SEK 304 million to SEK 277 million.
Higher freight volumes but lower profit for P&O Ferries Division Holdings Ltd.
The ferries division carried 3.9% more freight units, totalling 2,292,000 units. The number of cars carried on board of its ferries increased marginally by 0.3% to 1,496,000 units. In the same period, the number of passengers decreased by 2.9%, down to 8,418,000. Revenue on group level rose from GBP 973.9 million to GBP 1.042 billion, yet profit after tax dipped from GBP 47.1 million to GBP 39.9 million.
Press Releases
DNV GL Ferry and RoRo Update 2018
Covering topics such as alternative fuels, hybrid ferry, world largest short-sea ro-ro, digitalization and many more.
Customers of VesselMan, a project management tool for dry-docking, will now be able to access DNV GL’s Best Practices for dry-docking as part of their services.
Dry-docking is an important part of a vessels mandatory maintenance regime and takes place regularly throughout the vessel’s life-cycle. However, without proper management and planning, ship-owners and operators can often experience cost overruns, lengthy dock stays, and lost opportunities.
Tallinn VTS: Sixth shore centre exceeds STM Validation promise
The STM Validation project said that tests would happen in five shore centres. Tallinn VTS is the sixth (!) to join. Are Piel, Head of VTS Department, Estonian Maritime Administration: “We wanted to join Sea Traffic Management (STM) as soon as possible. The prerequisite for vessel ensuring traffic safety and providing vessel traffic services is to know vessels’ intentions and their exact sailing plans and this is what the STM route and data exchange services do.“
Project Forward paves the way for meeting IMO’s reduction on CO2 emissions
The Project Forward initiative led by Athens-Based Arista Shipping, with Wärtsilä as one of the participants, demonstrates that with LNG as fuel, an advanced hull design, and highly efficient propulsion machinery, it will be possible to meet the IMO’s target for a 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.
New Wärtsilä Hybrid Centre will boost sustainable shipping
The technology group Wärtsilä has inaugurated its new Hybrid Centre, the first of its kind in the world. The facility represents an innovative concept that will enable further development and deployment of the Wärtsilä HY hybrid power module, while at the same time providing customers with the possibility to experience the benefits of the Wärtsilä HY. It will also be used to train crews and provide hands-on experience for technicians. The inauguration ceremony took place on October 17.
Norwegian Electric Systems and Norwegian Control Systems have received a record order for deliveries of hybrid electric propulsion systems and control systems from bridge to propellers for Havila Kystruten. This is the world’s largest delivery of battery package to ships.
Interferry names new chairman and board members
Interferry, the trade association representing the worldwide ferry industry, has announced that the new chairman of its board of directors is John Steen-Mikkelsen, CEO of Danish ferry operator Danske Faerger.
Carnival Corporation to Charter Three Cruise Ships to Support APEC Summit
Two brands from world's largest leisure travel company - P&O Cruises Australia and Princess Cruises - will provide accommodations in Papua New Guinea for November gathering of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation that will bring together Presidents, Prime Ministers and global officials, media.
Wärtsilä opens the first International Maritime Cyber Centre of Excellence in the world
The technology group Wärtsilä opens an International Maritime Cyber Centre of Excellence (IMCCE) today in Singapore. The IMCCE consists of a Maritime Cyber Emergency Response Team (MCERT) and a cyber academy. The IMCCE is a world’s first industry solution for the marine industry, founded by Wärtsilä together with its strategic partner in cyber security, Templar Executives. The IMCCE will provide a focal point for the industry to help drive the cyber awareness and response to cyber incidents.
Viking Line gets its own champagne label from Piper-Heidsieck
The collaboration between Piper-Heidsieck, a champagne house with more than 200 years of heritage, and Viking Line further strengthened along with the development of a globally unique champagne designed specifically for Viking Line. Master of Wine Essi Avellan received the honour of developing this exclusive champagne together with a special winemaking team. Only one production batch of Essentiel by Essi for Viking Line was produced to be sold exclusively on Viking Line ships as of October 2018. This is the first time that Piper-Heidsieck has produced a specially tailored champagne to be sold in retail by a client.
Rolls-Royce and Intel announce autonomous ship collaboration
Rolls-Royce and Intel are intending to collaborate on designs for sophisticated intelligent shipping systems that will make commercial shipping safer, the parties announced. This will advance smart, connected and data-centric systems for ship owners, operators, cargo owners and ports, bringing together the expertise in advanced ship technology from Rolls-Royce with components and systems engineering from Intel. With a focus on safety, new ships will have systems with the same technology found in smart cities, autonomous cars and drones.
ClassNK releases “ClassNK MRV Portal (IMO DCS)”
Classification Society ClassNK granted an Approval in Principle (AIP) based on its Rule Tokyo – Leading Classification Society ClassNK has released “ClassNK MRV Portal (IMO DCS)”, a software service for the reporting, monitoring and verification of shipping CO2 emissions in line with the IMO DCS regulations that will come into effect in 2019.
Hapag-Lloyd establishes Marine Fuel Recovery (MFR) mechanism
Environmental regulation and costs from low-sulphur fuel represent a major challenge // New MFR allows causal, transparent and easy-to-understand calculation of fuel oil costs. With a stricter International Maritime Organisation emissions regulation (IMO 2020) coming into force as of 1 January 2020, the new sulphur cap for compliant fuel oil will be lowered from 3.5% to 0.5%.
Wärtsilä LNG solutions featured on environmentally advanced cruise ship
The technology group Wärtsilä’s 31DF dual-fuel engine, which emphasises outstanding efficiency, extremely economical fuel consumption, and minimal emissions, has been selected to power a new and highly advanced, pioneering cruise vessel. The polar ice-class luxury cruise vessel is being built for the France-based operator Ponant at Vard Søviknes, a part of VARD shipbuilding group in Norway. The order with Wärtsilä was in the second quarter of 2018.
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