Shippax Newsletter– week 15
Dear reader,
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Enjoy these free news below and have a great weekend
/ The Shippax team
TS Laevad won the ferry service tender for the period 2026-2033
TOLL © TS Laevad
The Estonian Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agricultural declared successful the tender of OÜ TS Laevad, a subsidiary of AS Tallinna Sadam, in the public procurement, which was looking for a partner for the award of a public service contract for passenger transport on the Virtsu-Kuivastu and Rohuküla-Heltermaa ferry routes.
On the basis of the successful tender, a passenger transport public service contract will be awarded between the Ministry and TS Laevad for the provision of transport services for a period of seven years, between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2033. Currently, TS Laevad provides passenger transport services on the Rohuküla-Heltermaa and Virtsu-Kuivastu ferry routes until 30 September 2026 in accordance with the passenger transport public service contract awarded with the Transport Administration on 11 December 2014.
Naming and launching ceremony held for SUNFLOWER KAMUY
SUNFLOWER KAMUY © Ferry Sunflower
The naming and launching ceremony was held for the first of two LNG-fuelled ferries being built at the Naikai Zosen shipyard. Named SUNFLOWER KAMUY, it will be delivered in December 2024 and is slated to enter service on the late-night Oarai-Tomakomai route operated by MOL Sunflower in early 2025.
The second, yet-unnamed, of the two new vessels is scheduled to enter service on the same route within 2025.
DFDS to deploy fleet of battery electric vessels on the English Channel
© DFDS
DFDS reaffirms commitment to the electrification of cross-channel transport after meeting with UK Minister for Investment and Regulatory Reform, Lord Dominic Johnson. DFDS's long-term goal is to have up to six battery-powered vessels operating on its routes on the Channel, with the first two in service by 2030.
DFDS will deploy two battery-powered vessels in the Eastern Channel by 2030. This is a part of a program to invest in six green vessels – two methanol, two ammoniac and two electric – for a total of around DKK 7.3bn over the next six years. The long-term goal is to introduce up to six fully electric vessels on the channel, which would be the world's largest electric ferries.
Windstar Cruises to acquire two ships from Mystic Invest
Windstar Cruises will acquire two ships from Mystic Invest, the 2019-delivered WORLD EXPLORER and the not-yet-delivered WORLD SEEKER.
WORLD SEEKER will be renamed STAR SEEKER and will become the first ship to join Windstar Cruises when delivered in December 2025.
WORLD EXPLORER will be renamed STAR EXPLORER and will be handed over in December 2026. WORLD EXPLORER is currently on charter to Quark Expeditions and Nicko Cruises.
DFDS expands logistics network to Türkiye
DFDS acquires international transport network connecting Türkiye and Europe from Ekol Logistics, strengthening DFDS’ market position in the transport corridor between Türkiye and Europe. The transaction is expected to be completed in Q4 2024, pending EU merger control approval.
With the acquisition, DFDS adds road transport to DFDS’ Mediterranean ferry network, thereby extending DFDS’s northern European ferry/road business model to this region. In addition, DFDS’s logistics network is expanded across Europe.
GLEN ROSA launched and officially named
GLEN ROSA © Ferguson
GLEN ROSA, the second of two dual fuel vessels being built at Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow, was launched into the Clyde. Like her sister vessel GLEN SANNOX, GLEN ROSA is being built on behalf of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) to service the Arran route.
On a related note, Ferguson Marine's CEO, David Tydeman, was sacked by the yard's Board of Directors on 26 March, having joined the company in February 2022. And last week, it was announced that Robbie Drummond stepped down as CEO of CalMac.
Fincantieri finalises a major four-ship agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
Fincantieri has announced the receipt of a highly significant order from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. This order entails the construction of four new next-generation cruise ships: two for the Regent Seven Seas Cruises and two for the Oceania Cruises brands respectively.
The ships designated for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2029, will boast a gross tonnage of 77,000 and accommodate approximately 850 passengers. Meanwhile, the vessels for Oceania Cruises, set for deliveries in 2027 and 2028, will feature a gross tonnage of 86,000 and accommodate around 1,450 passengers. The contract for these four new units is now in effect and has already been secured through financing.
Additionally, the Group has signed a Letter of Intent with the same shipowner to explore the construction of four additional units.
Stena Line acquires shares in Africa Morocco Link to expand outside of Europe
Stena Line has entered into an agreement to acquire Attica Group’s 49 percent of the shares in Morocco-based ferry company Africa Morocco Link (AML). The acquisition includes the two vessels, MOROCCO STAR and HIGHSPEED 3.
The total consideration amounts to EUR 49m while the net profit for the Attica Group is expected to exceed EUR 21m and will be included in the group’s financial results upon completion of the transaction.
Only last week was it announced that Compagnie de Transports au Maroc (CTM) had entered into an agreement to acquire the other 51 percent held by Bank of Africa.
Both agreements are subject to approval by the authorities.
Attica Group 2023 financial results
© George Giannakis
Attica Group released its first financial results following the merger of ANEK S.A. Consolidated revenue increased by 11% to EUR 588.3m, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 126.4m compared to EUR 57.8m in 2022. Vessel sailings increased 8.7%, accompanied by an increase in volume of passengers, vehicles, and freight units.
Attica Group’s traffic volumes exhibited growth compared to 2022. Specifically, vessels operated by Attica Group transported 6.5 million passengers, 1 million private vehicles, and 420,000 freight units, representing increases of 6.6%, 3.1%, and 1.9%, respectively, compared to 2022.
Connecting Latvia with Belgium and UK
In a cooperation between Wallenius SOL and Stena Line, it is now possible to transport goods directly from Liepaja, Latvia, to Tilbury, UK. This route includes stops in Travemünde and Zeebrugge/Antwerp. Customers will have the convenience of a single point of contact for the entire freight.
By connecting Stena Line´s Liepaja–Travemünde line with the weekly service of Wallenius SOL from Travemünde to Zeebrugge, Antwerp, and Tilbury, they can now provide customers with a reliable, one-stop solution for efficient freight booking of their cargo. During transshipment in Travemünde, the cargo is kept on the same equipment, thus avoiding unnecessary transloading.
Manta Marine Technologies installs shore power systems for Finnlines’ FINNMAID, FINNSTAR and FINNLADY
FINNMAID © Finnlines
Manta Marine Technologies (formerly known as Yara Marine Technologies, YMT) has successfully completed installation and commissioning of onboard shore power systems for three Finnlines vessels: the FINNMAID, FINNSTAR and FINNLADY.
P&O Ferries sails into the future with Netcompany as Strategic Partner
© P&O Ferries
As part of its ongoing IT digital transformation, P&O Ferries initiates plans to replace its legacy application systems. The company will expand its partnership with Netcompany to implement PULSE, a modular AI-based system that has proven success in de-risking legacy replacement programmes in transport.
The electric ferry NERTHUS for Alslinjen launched
NERTHUS © Cemre Shipyard
Alslinjen's new electric ferry NERTHUS has been launched at the Cemre Shipyard. NERTHUS will be delivered in August this year and will be followed by a sister ship at the end of the year.
The OSK Design-designed all-electric ferry will be 116.8 metres long, have a capacity for 600 passengers and 188 cars and will serve the Fynshav – Bøjden route in Denmark.
Polferries’ VARSOVIA left the yard for sea trials
VARSOVIA © NAOS
Polferries’ new VARSOVIA is getting closer to delivery and has been out on sea trials. The Swinoujscie-Ystad ro-pax is being built at the Visentini Shipyard in Italy and is the largest vessel built to date at the yard.
The NAOS-designed VARSOVIA will be 216m long and have a capacity for 920 passengers and 2,940 lane metres of freight. It is scheduled for delivery in June and to enter service in July.
New summer charter for OCEAN VICTORY
SunStoneMaritime Group A/S announced the long-term summer charter of the Infinity vessel, OCEAN VICTORY, with a new client. From April 2025, the OCEAN VICTORY will be trading in the Mediterranean Sea during northern hemisphere summer seasons for Spanish luxury cruise operator, Alma Cruceros.
Finnlines starts new Malmö to Swinoujscie route
FINNFELLOW © Finnlines
Finnlines expands its route network and starts to operate with its freight-passenger ship FINNFELLOW on the route between Malmö, Sweden, and Swinoujscie, Poland, on 10 April 2024.
FINNFELLOW, which sails under the Swedish flag, has a capacity for 440 passengers and around 3,000 lane metres for cars and freight. The ship has previously operated on the Malmö–Travemünde line.
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