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Shippax News Bulletin – 51

- In association with Interferry 

Dear Subscriber,

Please find the headlines of the news added to the Shippax website during week 51.

The Shippax team will take a short break between Christmas and the New Year.

We would like to thank you for being with us in 2018 and look forward to bringing you the latest news again in 2019.

Have a nice Cruisemas and a Ferry Good 2019!


Baltic spell for PRINCESS SEAWAYS

PRINCESS SEAWAYS will termporarily serve the Karlshamn-Klaipeda route in early 2019 © Maritime Photographic

PRINCESS SEAWAYS will termporarily serve the Karlshamn-Klaipeda route in early 2019 © Maritime Photographic

To cover for the drydockings of DFDS’s ro-pax tonnage in the Baltic, PRINCESS SEAWAYS will be withdrawn from the IJmuiden-North Shields (Newcastle) route during February/March and will operate for six weeks on the Karlshamn-Klaipeda route, starting on 7 February.

READ THE FULL STORY


Baleària celebrates its 20th birthday

Adolfo Utor constituted Baleària © Baleària

Adolfo Utor constituted Baleària © Baleària

Baleària celebrated its 20th birthday in due style – with a party for over 300 guests at its head office in Denia. The company took the opportunity to welcome back employees and others who had been there at the beginning, back in 1998.

READ THE FULL STORY


Ventouris Ferries expands fleet with Orange Ferry’s ORANGE 7

ORANGE 7 will be heading for Greece soon © Frank Lose

ORANGE 7 will be heading for Greece soon © Frank Lose

Sources close to Ventouris Ferries have confirmed to Shippax that Ventouris is the buyer of Shikoku Kaihatsu Ferry’s (Orange Ferry) 1994, Imabari Zosen-built ORANGE 7 which was recently replaced on the Toyo-Osaka route by the brand-new 14,749grt ORANGE OSAKA.

READ THE FULL STORY



Setonaikai Kisen unveils plans for new ‘boutique ferry’

© GK Design Group

© GK Design Group

Setonaikai Kisen has announced a newbuilding plan for an atypical three-deck ferry that will be introduced on the Hiroshima-Kure-Matsuyama route in August 2019.

READ THE FULL STORY


Amsterdam’s loss is Rotterdam’s gain – again – as CMV switches cruise calls for 2019 and 2020

Seven of MAGELLAN's Amsterdam calls have been cancelled © Marc Ottini

Seven of MAGELLAN's Amsterdam calls have been cancelled © Marc Ottini

The city fathers of Amsterdam look to have shot themselves in the foot with their decision to impose a new EUR 8 head tax on ocean cruise tourists from January 2019. Following the decision by MSC Cruises to switch calls from Amsterdam to Rotterdam for 2019, UK operator Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has followed suit and cancelled virtually all of its calls in the Dutch capital for the summer of 2019 and 2020.

READ THE FULL STORY


Irish Ferries considers to discontinue Rosslare-France routes

It remains to be seen whether or not OSCAR WILDE will be chartered out or put up for sale © Marc Ottini

It remains to be seen whether or not OSCAR WILDE will be chartered out or put up for sale © Marc Ottini

Ahead of the March 2019 introduction of the brand-new W.B. YEATS between Dublin and France, Irish Ferries has informed its customers that the operation of its ferry services from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Roscoff is “unlikely in 2019”.

READ THE FULL STORY



SHK Line Group plans major new ro-pax route

Shin Nihonkai Ferry is one of the ferry brands of the SHK Line Group © Tsuyoshi Ishiyama

Shin Nihonkai Ferry is one of the ferry brands of the SHK Line Group © Tsuyoshi Ishiyama

Japan’s largest ferry Group, SHK, plans to start a new six times weekly ro-pax service from Yokosuka, located in the Tokyo Bay area, to Kitakyushu in spring 2021.

READ THE FULL STORY


FIOR DI LEVANTE inaugurates first cold ironing facility in Greece

Cold ironing for FIOR DI LEVANTE in the port of Killini © George Giannakis

Cold ironing for FIOR DI LEVANTE in the port of Killini © George Giannakis

An industry first in Greece; Levante Ferries’ FIOR DI LEVANTE will start using cold ironing in the port of Killini as from 20 December.

READ THE FULL STORY


Jinling delivers VICTORIAN RELIANCE II to Toll Group

VICTORIAN RELIANCE II is a sister of TASMANIAN ACHIEVER II © NAOS Ship and Boat Design - Roberto Prever

VICTORIAN RELIANCE II is a sister of TASMANIAN ACHIEVER II © NAOS Ship and Boat Design - Roberto Prever

Almost two months after the delivery of TASMANIAN ACHIEVER II, Australian Toll Group has taken delivery of its sister ship, VICTORIAN RELIANCE II, from Jinling’s Yizheng Shipyard.

READ THE FULL STORY



BIRKA STOCKHOLM to undergo major upgrade in Denmark

BIRKA STOCKHOLM will be upgraded © Philippe Holthof

BIRKA STOCKHOLM will be upgraded © Philippe Holthof

Birka Cruises’ BIRKA STOCKHOLM is to undergo a EUR 2.1 million upgrade at Denmark’s Fayard between 6-18 January 2019. Although some technical work will take place, the main focus of the refit will concentrate on the vessel’s main passenger deck, Deck 5.

READ THE FULL STORY


VISBORG on her way to Europe

Bye bye China - VISBORG sailing down the Pearl River © GSI

Bye bye China - VISBORG sailing down the Pearl River © GSI

Shippax received pictures of VISBORG seen leaving Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in Nansha, China, earlier today, 18 December. The 1,650-passenger and 1,750-lanemetre ro-pax was officially handed over to Rederi AB Gotland on Friday 14 December.

Visit our facebook page for plenty more pictures of VISBORG https://www.facebook.com/shippax/

READ THE FULL STORY


AG Ems to lengthen and convert MÜNSTERLAND to LNG dual fuel propulsion

MÜNSTERLAND will be lengthened and converted to LNG propulsion © Frank Lose

MÜNSTERLAND will be lengthened and converted to LNG propulsion © Frank Lose

Following the decision by the German Government to fund conversion of ships to more eco-friendly propulsion systems, local ferry operator AG Ems has received funding from Berlin to lengthen and retrofit its 1,859gt 1986-built passenger/vehicle ferry MÜNSTERLAND to LNG dual fuel propulsion. This will be the operator’s second ferry to be converted to LNG operation, following work on fleet mate OSTFRIESLAND in 2015.

READ THE FULL STORY



Stena Line pulls the plug on Nynäshamn-Gdynia route

The Gdynia-Nynäshamn route was operated by chartered tonnage, VIKINGLAND being the third ship that Stena Line used on this three times weekly service. © Frank Lose

The Gdynia-Nynäshamn route was operated by chartered tonnage, VIKINGLAND being the third ship that Stena Line used on this three times weekly service. © Frank Lose

Stena Line has announced that it will close down the Nynäshamn-Gdynia at the end of this year, focussing on the popular Karlskrona-Gdynia route instead. The three times weekly freight-only service was added to Stena Line’s Baltic network as recently as mid-October 2017.

READ THE FULL STORY


Trasmediterranea renames DIMONIOS as CIUDAD DE PALMA

DIMONIOS has been renamed CIUDAD DE PALMA and is the first ship to display the new Trasmed livery © Trasmediterranea

DIMONIOS has been renamed CIUDAD DE PALMA and is the first ship to display the new Trasmed livery © Trasmediterranea

The recently acquired DIMONIOS has become the fifth user of the name CIUDAD DE PALMA, as new owners Naviera Armas push to maximise Trasmed’s traditions. The company had always named its vessels after Spanish cities or key personalities in its history, and it would appear that that tradition is to be resumed.

READ THE FULL STORY


ANDREAS KALVOS sold to Levante Ferries

ANDREAS KALVOS will change hands © George Giannakis

ANDREAS KALVOS will change hands © George Giannakis

Greek media report that ANMEZ/Zante Ferries’ ANDREAS KALVOS has been sold to Levante Ferries, ANMEZ’ operational partner in the Ionian Group. Earlier this year, the now defunct Kefalonian Lines was close to acquire ANDREAS KALVOS, yet the deal fell through.

READ THE FULL STORY


Havyard delivers HADARØY to Fjord1

HADARØY © Havyard

HADARØY © Havyard

Havyard has delivered HADARØY, the first unit in a series of five hybrid electric double-ender ferries, the hull of which was built by Cemre Shipyard in Turkey. Together with its sisters GISKØY and SULØY, HADARØY will service the Hareid to Sulesund route as of 2019.

READ THE FULL STORY


Ferguson Marine to lodge compensation claim with CMAL before Christmas

The GLAN SANNOX saga continues... © Maritime Photographic

The GLAN SANNOX saga continues... © Maritime Photographic

The latest development in the ongoing battle on the River Clyde between shipbuilder Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL) and government-owned ferry and ports company Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) is that the shipyard’s owner, Jim McColl says that FMEL will lodge a compensation claim with CMAL before Christmas over significant cost overruns on its contract to build two hybrid LNG ro-paxes. The lead ship, GLEN SANNOX, is running over a year late and the shipyard claims over 600 design changes to the vessel to date.

READ THE FULL STORY


Norwegian Zero Emission Fast Ferry project funded

The ZeFF is based on a composite hull with fully submerged hydrofoils © Norled

The ZeFF is based on a composite hull with fully submerged hydrofoils © Norled

A consortium of five Norwegian companies has been awarded a contract to develop a ‘Zero emission Fast Ferry’ (ZeFF) based on a composite hull with fully submerged hydrofoils and a propulsion system featuring either batteries or hydrogen-powered fuel cells.

READ THE FULL STORY


Havyard and Havila receive state support to develop hydrogen technology

One of the four ships on order for Havila Kystruten will serve as a testbed for fuel cell operation © Havila Kystruten

One of the four ships on order for Havila Kystruten will serve as a testbed for fuel cell operation © Havila Kystruten

Havyard and Havila Kystruten have been granted a NOK 104.3 million (EUR 10.68 million) subsidy to develop a hydrogen-powerd coastal route operation.

READ THE FULL STORY


Maltese Government announces tender to build a tunnel to Gozo

GAUDOS is one of three double-enders connecting Malta (Cirkewwa) with Gozo (Mgarr) © Marc Ottini

GAUDOS is one of three double-enders connecting Malta (Cirkewwa) with Gozo (Mgarr) © Marc Ottini

Dr Ian Borg, the Maltese Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, has announced plans to build a 13.5km long tunnel connecting the Maltese mainland with Gozo.

READ THE FULL STORY


Coral Expeditions’ CORAL ADVENTURER launched in Vietnam

CORAL ADVENTURER will be delivered in April 2019 © VARD Vung Tau

CORAL ADVENTURER will be delivered in April 2019 © VARD Vung Tau

Australian expedition cruise operator Coral Expeditions’ 120-passenger capacity CORAL ADVENTURER was launched on 7 December at VARD’s Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam.

READ THE FULL STORY


Brittany Ferries’ HONFLEUR launched at FSG

HONFLEUR's hull gliding down the slipway © Brittany Ferries

HONFLEUR's hull gliding down the slipway © Brittany Ferries

An extremely busy week for German shipbuilder Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), which saw the delivery of Irish Ferries’ W.B. YEATS, was brought to a close at lunchtime on Friday 14 December with the launch of Brittany Ferries’ new LNG-powered HONFLEUR.

READ THE FULL STORY


P&O Ferries to place SPIRIT OF BRITAIN and SPIRIT OF FRANCE under the Cypriot flag

Limassol will become the new port of registry for SPIRIT OF FRANCE and BRITAIN © Marko Stampehl

Limassol will become the new port of registry for SPIRIT OF FRANCE and BRITAIN © Marko Stampehl

Prior to the UK leaving the European Union in 2019 P&O Ferries is to reflag its two large ro-paxes, the 47,592gt 2011-2012 built SPIRIT OF BRITAIN and SPIRIT OF FRANCE, which operate on its flagship Dover-Calais, route under the Cypriot flag.

READ THE FULL STORY



Financials

Record year-end result for Carnival Corporation

Carnival Corporation announced U.S. GAAP net income for the full year 2018 of USD 3.2 billion, or USD 4.44 diluted EPS, compared to USD 2.6 billion, or USD 3.59 diluted EPS, for the prior year. Revenues for the full year 2018 were USD 18.9 billion, USD 1.4 billion higher than the USD 17.5 billion in the prior year.

Moby Group publishes financial results for the 1 January-30 September 2018 period

Turnover ended at EUR 478.8 million, compared to EUR 476.2 million in the same period last year. Recurring EBITDA ended at EUR 68.3 million (EUR 114.6 million).


Press Releases

LIKNOSS: The new Corporate Identity for the new ERA of FORTHcrs

During two very successful events held on December 12 & 13, in Athens, FORTHcrs SA unveiled its new company name LIKNOSS SOFTWARE, that marks the new era of the company commencing with its incorporation in the NORTH STAR international Group, based in Switzerland.

Princess Cruises Offers Alipay and WeChat Pay Onboard RUBY PRINCESS

Princess Cruises announced that Chinese guests onboard RUBY PRINCESS have the option to utilize both Alipay and WeChat Pay payment options while shopping in the boutiques. This makes Princess Cruises the first and the only cruise line to offer both Alipay and WeChat Pay payment options onboard a passenger cruise ship in North America.

Cruise Industry Commits to Reduce the Rate of Carbon Emissions Globally by 40 Percent by 2030

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced a historic global cruise industry commitment to reduce the rate of carbon emissions across the industry fleet by 40 percent by 2030.

Royal Caribbean looks to Optimarin for global compliance

Royal Caribbean International, one of the world’s leading cruise ship operators, has chosen Optimarin to provide its USCG compliant Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) for three flagship vessels. The Norwegian-based ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist has now retrofitted its market proven technology on INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS and MARINER OF THE SEAS, with installation on GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS set for Q1 2019.

BC Ferries to spend $57 million with BC-based marine services

BC Ferries annual vessel maintenance season is well underway and the company is poised to spend $57 million in British Columbia with various marine service suppliers to support its fleet during the current refit cycle this fiscal year.

Genting Cruise Lines Celebrates Silver Anniversary in Singapore

Genting Cruise Lines celebrated its silver anniversary with a special event held on board Genting Dream in Singapore on 14 December to commemorate the very first sailing of Langkapuri Star Aquarius from Singapore in 1993, beginning 25 years of supporting Singapore to become the premier cruise hub in Asia, handling the most international passengers in Asia.

Accomodation and catering systems for Viking Line's new cruise ship at Xiamen Shipbuilding in China

After working with Viking Line during the precontractual phase, ALMACO secured the order to build 1121 passenger and crew cabins plus all the galleys, bars, pantries and provision stores, including cold rooms, freezers and walk-ins, for Viking Line’s newbuild at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (XSI) shipyard in China. This is a great example of ALMACO’s capability to build the full set of Accommodations and Catering Systems products for a complete interior delivery.

ScanOcean to resell Neste’s low-sulfur bunker fuel on the East Coast of Sweden

Neste and ScanOcean AB enter into cooperation in delivering Neste’s low-sulfur marine fuel. ScanOcean AB is now an official reseller for Neste’s 0.1% marine fuel products on the East Coast of Sweden. The low-sulfur marine fuel is one of Neste’s high quality products.

Rolls-Royce to deliver advanced ship technology to two more expedition cruise vessels for Mystic Cruises

Rolls-Royce has signed a deal with WestSea Yard in Portugal, part of Martifer Group, to equip two expeditionary oceanic cruise ships for the Portuguese based cruise company Mystic Cruises. This will be ship number two and three in Mystic Cruises’ new fleet of eco-friendly expeditionary cruise ships.

New benchmark in Danish design, Swedish sustainability, and Chinese construction

The most powerful of its kind, VISBORG marks a new era for the Scandinavian-Asian collaboration between designers OSK, owners Rederiaktiebolaget Gotland, and builders Guangzhou Shipyard International.

Sembcorp Marine reprises role as Asia’s top cruise ship repair and upgrade solutions provider with 10 projects delivered in 2018

Sembcorp Marine cemented its position as Asia’s top cruise ship repair and upgrade solutions provider in 2018 with the successful completion of repairs on the COSTA FORTUNA – the Group’s 10th and final cruise ship project this year.

OSK behind the concept for TT-Line’s new Green Ship

The concept design for TT-Line’s new dual fuel RoPax ferry has contributions from sister companies OSK-ShipTech and Steen Friis Design – both part of Danish marine consultants OSK Group.


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