Shippax News Bulletin – 45
- In association with Interferry
Dear Subscriber,
Please find below your weekly news bits, presented by time of publishing.
Photo above: FAUSTINE, and soon to be delivered sistership SERAPHINE, are the next step in CLdN’s re-allignment to lower carbon footprint fuels. Built at Hyundai Mipo’s productive Ulsan shipyard, the vessel bears a close resemblance to the four-ship series completed by HMD in 2019 for CLdN.
FAUSTINE will be featured as our just delivered-report in the upcoming December issue of Shippax Info
Have a great weekend!
Steel cut ceremony marked the start of Jumbo Ferry’s first new ship in 32 years
An illustration of the new ro-pax was revealed during the ceremony © Jumbo Ferry
A steel cut ceremony was held at Naikai Zosen's Setoda Shipyard for Jumbo Ferry’s new ro-pax, which will replace the 1989-built KONPIRA 2 on the Kobe-Shodoshima-Takamatsu route once delivered in September 2022.
The not-yet named ship will be about 5,200gt (Japanese domestic gross tonnage), have a length of 131.5m, a 21m beam and 5.6m in draft. It will be able to carry up to 620 passengers and transport 1,100-lanemetre freight on two decks at a service speed of 18.5 knots.
Marix Line's QUEEN CORAL CROSS delivered and ready for service
QUEEN CORAL CROSS © Naikai Zosen
On 10 November, the combined lo-lo/ro-ro ferry QUEEN CORAL CROSS was completed and delivered by Naikai Zosen Setoda shipyard to Marix Line, ready to take up service on the Japanese Naha-Amami islands-Kogoshima route as of 20 November.
The 7,914gt (Japanese domestic gross tonnage) QUEEN CORAL CROSS measures 144.88m in length overall, together with a beam of 24.00m. She can carry up to 655 passengers, 30 trucks (12m), 44 cars, 246 containers (10ft) and 8 containers (20ft). A single main engine with a 12,000kW output will drive a single screw and guarantee a 21-knot service speed.
Finnlines’ improved its third quarter results
FINNMAID © Finnlines
The Finnlines Group’s revenue for January–September 2021 was EUR 425.9 million, an increase of 17% compared to the corresponding period in the previous year (EUR 363.1 in 2020). The result for the reporting period was EUR 69.0 million, an increase of 27% compared to EUR 54.2 million in January–September 2020. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, EBITDA, amounted to EUR 121.2 (107.2) million.
(UPDATED) Scandlines orders zero-emission ferry for the Puttgarden-Rødby route
© Scandlines
Scandlines has entered into a contract with Cemre Shipyard, Turkey to build an emission-free freight ferry for the Puttgarden-Rødby route. The ferry will be inserted in 2024 and will launch the next generation of ferries on the route.
The vessel will have a capacity of 66 freight units, which increases the current capacity by 23 percent.
The vessel will have the capability to operate in two different modes, as fully electrical relying on plug-in battery power at 10 knots with a crossing time of one hour, or plug-in hybrid mode at 16 knots and a crossing time of 45 minutes.
Specifications:
Length: 147.4 m
Breadth: 25.4 m
Design draft: 5.30 m
Freight capacity: 66 freight units (abt. 1,200 lanemetres)
Max. number of passengers: 140
Service speed: 16 knots
Battery capacity: 10 MWh
Second DFDS ro-pax LUNA SEAWAYS out on sea trials
LUNA SEAWAYS © DFDS
DFDS’ second ro-pax being built at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), LUNA SEAWAYS, went out on sea trials 8 November.
The 230m long vessel will have a 4,500-lanemetre capacity with 250 cabins for drivers and passengers.
LUNA SEAWAYS follows AURA SEAWAYS, both of which will sail on the Karlshamn-Klaipeda route once delivered in March and February next year.
VIKING GLORY passed its second and final sea trials
VIKING GLORY passed its final sea trail © Viking Line
Viking Line’s VIKING GLORY successfully passed its second and final sea trials before delivery, having spent more than a week at sea with close to 300 employees on board.
The only things that remain now before delivery are some shipyard works and finishing touches on the cabins and public spaces.
VIKING GLORY facts:
Launch of service on the Turku–Åland–Stockholm route in early March 2022
Passenger capacity 2,800
922 cabins
Usually about 300 crew members (in two shifts of 150 people)
Length 222.6 metres, gross tonnage 63,813 tonnes
Cargo capacity 1,500 lane metres
Ice class 1 A Super
Fuel LNG (liquefied natural gas)
Built in China at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd's shipyard
BORE WAVE launched at Wuhu
Render © Bore
The second of Bore’s new LNG-powered ro-lo trio, BORE WAVE, was launched on 8 November from Wuhu Shipyard in China.
The trio have been delayed by the pandemic, but the first vessel is expected to be delivered before the end of the year. They are long-term chartered to Finnish forest product giant UPM-Kymmene and will transport paper from Finnish mills southbound to Spain and bulk cargo such as china clay northbound.
The 6,850dwt vessels will have a length of 121.89m and a 21m beam. They will meet Swedish-Finnish 1A ice-class and have a service speed of 13.5 knots.
Brødrene Aa delivered high-speed ferry HOLLENDAREN to Troms and Finnmark County Municipality
HOLLENDAREN © Brødrene Aa
The eight car capacity, or 19-meter truck transportation capable high-speed ferry, HOLLENDAREN has been delivered to Troms and Finnmark County Municipality to serve the Norwegian Måsøy basin.
Facts HOLLENDAREN
Shipyard: Brødrene Aa in Hyen
Materials: Carbonsandwich, vinylester
Main engine: 2 x MAN D2862LE438 Tier 3 - 882 kW
Gear/propulsion: Servogear
Length: 38 meters
Width: 10 meters
Passengers: 73
Service speed: 26 knots
MOBY FANTASY launched at GSI
MOBY FANTASY launched at GSI © Moby
MOBY FANTASY, the first of two 69,500gt next-generation ro-pax ferries for Moby, has been launched at the GSI shipyard in Guangzhou, and in 2023 it will enter service between Livorno-Olbia.
MOBY FANTASY, to be followed by MOBY LEGACY (initially MOBY MAGIC), have a length of 237m, a 32m beam and a capacity for 3,800 freight lanemetres and 2,500 passengers for whom 534 cabins will be provided.
The LNG-ready, scrubber-equipped pair will be powered by four 9L46F Wärtsilä engines, guaranteeing a service speed of over 23 knots.
The vessel's naval architect, OSK-ShipTech, are also responsible for the interior design through their Steen Friis affiliate.
VIKING GRACE switches to oil as price of LNG soars
VIKING GRACE © Jukka Huotari
Viking Line has decided to temporarily switch to use oil fuel on VIKING GRACE, its largest vessel as the price of LNG has soared, Managing Director Jan Hanses said.
“The sharp increase of the price of LNG has forced us to this. We have previously agreed prices of LNG that have been higher than those of MGO (Marine Gas Oil)/ diesel, but at this moment, the prices (of LNG) are exceptionally high and we expect that normalisation (of prices) should take place early in the spring,” Hanses told Shippax.
Baleària reopens the Valencia-Mostaganem route
DENIA CIUTAT CREATIVA © Mike Barker
On 20 November, Baleària will reopen the Valencia (Spain)-Mostaganem (Algeria) route with a weekly departure. The route, which was suspended in March 2020 due to pandemic border closures, will be operated by DENIA CIUTAT CREATIVA.
Departures will be on Saturdays from the Valencian port, and on Sundays from the port of Mostaganem, both at 6.30 pm.
Carnival Cruise Line announced that its third Excel-class ship – to be named CARNIVAL JUBILEE – will be based in Galveston
CARNIVAL JUBILEE © Carnival
On the heels of the rave reviews of its newest ship MARDI GRAS, Carnival Cruise Line today announced that its third Excel-class ship – to be named CARNIVAL JUBILEE – will be delivered in 2023 and based in Galveston, Tex.
SCHOTTEL EcoPellers for hybrid-electric ferry ALTERA
ALTERA will service the Pargas-Nagu route © FinFerries
The latest addition to FinFerries’ fleet, the ferry ALTERA, features high-efficiency azimuth thrusters from SCHOTTEL. The electrically powered hybrid ferry, which is scheduled to enter operation in 2023, is currently under construction at the Polish shipyard Crist. ALTERA will be able to sail solely on battery power charging its batteries with renewable electricity.
ALTERA measures 100 metres in length and 17 metres in width. The ferry provides space for up to 90 cars and a maximum of 375 passengers.
After two bleak summers, Brittany Ferries sees sunshine on the horizon
© Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries has reported a surge in reservations for travel next summer. The ferry company has recently navigated a path through two disastrous summer seasons, as Covid-19 consigned passenger numbers to the doldrums. However, the boost for summer 2022 has brought renewed optimism and the prospect of sunnier skies ahead. By the end of October 2021, 188,878 passengers had booked travel for the period July to September 2022. That’s 48 percent more than the 127,517 who had booked for the 2020 summer season – at the end of October 2019 (the last pre-Covid comparison year).
Richard Fain Stepping Down as CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group
Richard Fain, whose innovations during more than 33 years as Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Caribbean Group helped shape the modern cruise industry, has decided to step down as CEO on January 3, 2022. Chief Financial Officer Jason Liberty will succeed him as CEO and join the Board of Directors. Fain will remain as Chair of the Board of Directors.
SunStone Ships announced the launching of the fifth INFINITY-Class Vessel
OCEAN ODYSSEY © SunStone Ships
SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, announced the successful launch of their fifth, INFINITY-Class Vessel OCEAN ODYSSEY (CMHI 196-5).
INFINITY Class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, with a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115.
Current INFINITY Class new-builds under way after the delivery of the GREG MORTIMER, the OCEAN EXPLORER and the OCEAN VICTORY are; the SYLVIA EARLE, the OCEAN ODYSSEY, the OCEAN ALBATROS and the OCEAN DISCOVERER. All vessels ordered have long-term charter agreements in place.
Unitrove unveils world’s first liquid hydrogen bunkering facility for fuelling zero-emission ships
Clean energy solutions provider Unitrove unveiled the world’s first liquid hydrogen bunkering facility for fuelling zero-emission ships at the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow.
Rolls-Royce and cellcentric seal breakthrough of fuel cells in emissions-free power generation
Rolls-Royce and cellcentric, a joint venture company set up by Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group AB, are taking the next step in their strategic cooperation for the deployment of cellcentric hydrogen fuel cell modules. Rolls-Royce, through its Power Systems business unit, is to develop complete mtu hydrogen fuel cell solutions based on cellcentric’s fuel cell modules that emit nothing other than water vapour. This will enable C02-free, climate-neutral generation of emergency power for data centers. Rolls-Royce is among the world's top three suppliers of emergency gensets for data centers. Both Rolls-Royce and cellcentric are keen to play a part in driving the fuel cell breakthrough and are convinced that the technology – and time – are right for successfully launching commercial fuel cell applications for the mass market.
Revenues up by over 28% and EBITDA +65%, total backlog at EUR 36 billion, order intake at EUR 2.3 billion, 2021 guidance fully confirmed.
Port of Tallinn financial results for 2021 Q3
In the third quarter, year on year, the revenue of Port of Tallinn increased, but adjusted EBITDA and profit decreased. Revenue amounted to EUR 32 million in the third quarter, increasing by 2% year on year. The Group’s adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter was EUR 17 million (–14%) and the profit amounted to EUR 11 million (–23%). In the first nine months, revenue was EUR 82 million (–1%), adjusted EBITDA EUR 41 million (–11%) and profit EUR 19 million (–16%).
CLdN RoRo introduces a 7th sailing/week on the Zeebrugge –Killingholme service
Due to increasing demand on the UK, CLdN Ro-Ro will be introducing a 7th sailing/week on the Zeebrugge –Killingholme service.
As from week 45 the service will run daily (Mon-Sun) , offering an overnight connection between the port of Zeebrugge and Killingholme vv.
Eurizon enters the capital of Adria Ferries
Eurizon, the asset management company of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group with 426 billion euros of assets, has signed an agreement to acquire, through the two Alternative Investment Funds Eurizon ITE and Eurizon ITE ELTIF, the 33,3% of Adria Ferries, an Italian operator that offers a maritime connection service between Italy and Albania with a fleet of ships for vehicle and passenger transport (roro-pax).
DFDS: October volume report: Freight lower as UK stockbuilding boosted volumes
Ferry – freight: Total volumes in October 2021 were 7.6% below 2020. Net adjustments for structural route changes reduced growth 2.3 ppt to -9.9%.
Ferry – passenger: The total number of passengers in October 2021 was 89.6% above 2020. The increase was largest between Norway and Denmark where travel restrictions to a large extent were abolished in October. The number of passengers on UK routes is also picking up but at lower pace as travel restrictions are still in place for travel on these routes.
Wärtsilä to supply scrubbers for Grimaldi-owned Trasmed GLE S.L.
Wärtsilä Exhaust Treatment will install its open loop exhaust gas abatement technology on two roll-on/roll-off passenger ferries owned by Spanish company Trasmed GLE S.L., which is part of the multinational logistics company Grimaldi Group. Trasmed GLE S.L. has selected four of Wärtsilä’s I-SOx open loop scrubbers with exhaust de-plume systems for the RoPax vessels VOLCAN DEL TEIDE and CIUDAD DE GRANADA which operate in the Mediterranean Sea. Each vessel will have four scrubbers installed, one on each main engine. The order was booked in November 2021.
Trasmed invests around 30 million euros in renewing its fleet
The restyling works of Trasmed's fleet are about to start. Four ships of the shipping company, the CIUDAD DE PALMA, VOLCAN DE TIJARAFE, VOLCAN DEL TEIDE and CIUDAD DE GRANADA, will alternate every 45 days in dry dock from December 6, to renew both in the service areas for the passengers as in the new banner that will show its two sides.
Berg accelerates drive into electric propulsion
Berg Propulsion has signed a key supplier and cooperation agreement to provide systems integration capability for Yaskawa Environmental Energy / The Switch permanent magnet (PM) and power electronics products. The cooperation creates a new and combined force offering the robustness and efficiency of propulsion systems where electric motors directly drive the propeller shaft, consolidating Berg’s growing presence in electric propulsion.
All ferries between Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn will soon connect to onshore power
Large numbers of goods and passengers are transported daily between the ports in Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn. The three Baltic Sea ports in collaboration have each invested in onshore power electricity connections that will significantly reduce the emission of air pollutants from vessels at the quayside.
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. Reports 2021 Third Quarter Financial Results
Third quarter tour revenues of $64.5 million increased $63.5 million as compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was driven by a $33.1 million increase at the Lindblad segment and a $30.4 million increase at the Land Experiences segment primarily due to the resumption of additional expeditions and trips during the third quarter of 2021. Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA loss of $6.6 million improved $10.9 million as compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was driven by a $4.5 million improvement at the Lindblad segment and a $6.4 million improvement at the Land Experiences segment.
Hydrogen production facility planned for the Port of Gothenburg
The Port of Gothenburg and Norwegian energy company Statkraft are planning to construct a hydrogen production facility at the port, with operations due to commence in 2023. Initially the facility will have a capacity of four MW, producing up to two tonnes of hydrogen per day.
Most read
Limited cabins left. Secure a seat now! (Upd.24 Feb)
feb 17 2026
Meyer Turku unveils new net zero cruise ship concept
feb 11 2026
DFDS reports challenging 2025 with revenue growth but sharp profit drop
feb 19 2026
HAFNIA SEA has commenced on the DFDS’ Italy–Turkey corridor
feb 11 2026
Aleson Shipping Lines face criminal charges after ferry disaster
feb 11 2026
GNV ATLAS employed as an accommodation vessel in the Black Sea
feb 16 2026
ROMANTIKA has returned from charter in the Mediterranean
feb 16 2026
Godby Shipping orders two new RoRo vessels at CIMC Raffles
feb 17 2026
