Naikai Zosen shipyard delivers SUNFLOWER KAMUY

SUNFLOWER KAMUY at Tomakomai West Port, Hokkaido, Japan © Tsuyoshi Ishiyama

The MOL Group has taken delivery of SUNFLOWER KAMUY from the Naikai Zosen shipyard. This first of two new LNG-fuelled ferries, which will be operated by Ferry Sunflower, is set to enter service on the Tomakomai-Oarai route on 21 January.

Passenger capacity: 157
Vehicles (units): 50
Truck loading capacity (units) (converted to 13m): 155
LOA: 199.4m
Gross tonnage: About 15,512
Main engine: 1 x dual fuel low-speed 2-stroke main engine
Main fuel: LNG (the vessel can also be operated on compliant fuel oil)

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Molslinjen 2024 carryings

Kristian Durhuus, CEO Molslinjen

Bornholmslinjen saw more than two million travellers in 2024 for the first time in the island's history. Langelandslinjen carried 33,795 trucks (+12%) and 531,511 passengers (-1%). Fanølinjen carried 1,914,308 passengers (+2.4%), 9,240 trucks (+5%) and 460,450 cars (+12%).

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Viking Line’s 2024 carryings

Viking Line's five vessels served a total of 4.6 million passengers in 2024 and transported a record volume of cargo at 134,219 units. The Helsinki–Tallinn route achieved especially good results. VIKING CINDERELLA added significantly more capacity between Helsinki and Stockholm.

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PEARL SEAWAYS and CROWN SEAWAYS to become NORDIC PEARL and NORDIC CROWN

PEARL SEAWAYS © Maritime Photographic

Kim Heiberg, route director of the Copenhagen-Oslo route for Gotlandsbolaget, has confirmed to Shippax that the new names for PEARL SEAWAYS and CROWN SEAWAYS will become NORDIC PEARL and NORDIC CROWN.

PEARL SEAWAYS is currently at the Oresund Drydocks in Landskrona yard as the first of the two ships to receive refurbishments on public areas and upgrades to all its cabins. It is expected to leave the yard at the end of the month as NORDIC PEARL. Work on CROWN SEAWAYS will take place in March and will leave at the end of that month as NORDIC CROWN.

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Ambassador Cruise Line and CFC reach agreement to merge and form cruise line

AMBITION © Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador Cruise Line and Compagnie Française de Croisières ("CFC"), have reached an agreement to merge, forming the "Ambassador Group". This strategic combination marks the creation of a European premium affordable value cruise line, targeting the no-fly silver market. The transaction is expected to close by the end of January 2025.

The Group will operate a fleet of three small-to-mid-sized vessels incorporating Ambassador's AMBIENCE and AMBITION and CFC's 1,200 guest-capacity RENAISSANCE, which is fully refurbished following recent multimillion-euro investments.

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Öresundslinjen attracted a record number of Christmas restaurant guests

The two restaurants on Öresundslinjen's electric ferries, Libitum Social Dining and Opus Wine & Dine, attracted a record number of guests to their festively decorated Christmas table. A total of 28,874 guests sat down to the table between 15 November and 26 December, which is over 10,000 more than during Christmas 2023.

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CABO STAR converted for increased passenger capacity

CABO STAR at the Astander Shipyard © Astander Shipyard

Baja Ferries latest acquisition, CABO STAR, is currently at the Astander shipyard where the addition of a new accommodation block will increase the passenger capacity to 399 passengers in new double cabins. New seats will also be installed together with refreshments of saloons and common areas.

CABO STAR is the former EUROCARGO SAVONA of Grimaldi Lines, purchased in July 2024 by Baja Ferries.

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FRS expands its commitment on the Rhine: Takeover of the traditional Loreley ferry line

Following the recent takeover of the Rhine ferry Maul between Ingelheim and Oestrich-Winkel, the Flensburg-based shipping company FRS is expanding its commitment on the Rhine: with the acquisition of the traditional ferry Loreley GmbH & Co. KG, it is taking over another connection in the region.

Fähre Loreley will remain under the proven management of the previous Managing Director Simon Lanius, who will continue to lead the company reliably into the future together with FRS. All of the company's employees will be taken on and the ferry service will continue seamlessly.

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JLR joins UECC's Sail for Change to decarbonize maritime transport

Luxury vehicle manufacturer JLR has signed up to join UECC's Sail for Change initiative using low-carbon liquefied biomethane (LBM) in maritime transport to support the company's sustainability ambitions through decarbonization of its global logistics chain. The addition of JLR means that four vehicle manufacturers are now participating in the pioneering initiative launched last year in which LBM, or bioLNG, supplied by Titan Clean Fuels is currently being bunkered on UECC's five dual-fuel LNG PCTCs operating in the European shortsea trade to provide direct and immediate cuts in emissions.

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Launch of CLdN’s second G9 ro-ro LEONINE at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard

LEONINE was launched at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, the second of two G9 ro-ro vessels currently on order for CLdN at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.
The 234-metre LEONINE will be equipped with two conventional main engines as well as two large shaft generators of 6 MW each, which can be used for generating power or for electric propulsion.

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Less than three months left. Secure you seat, register now!

It is now less than three months left until the 2025 Shippax Ferry Conference, the leading springtime conference for ferry professionals.
Few outside Commodore cabins now remain, so it's highly recommended to register soon to secure a seat.