Shippax Newsletter– week 22
Two more ammonia-ready PCTC’s for Grimaldi
The Grimaldi Group has further grown its order book with two more new PCTC’s, bringing the total to 17 under construction for the group. Last January, the company signed an agreement with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited (CSTC) – two companies part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC) – for the construction of five PCTC ships. The option for another two sister vessels was finally exercised few days ago.
DFDS launches new Initiative to Protect Sperm Whales in Southern Greece
DFDS are taking essential steps to protect marine life in the Mediterranean around the Southern part of Greece, a critical habitat for endangered sperm whales.
Together with a coalition of NGOs, including IFAW, Ocean Care, Pelagos Cetacean Institute, and WWF Greece, DFDS has developed initiatives to reduce vessel-whale collisions in the Hellenic Trench in Southern Greece:
- Route Adjustments: The have redefined their vessel routes to avoid high-risk areas known for frequent sperm whale sightings.
- Slow Steaming: The have limited vessel speeds in these high-risk zones to minimize the potential of collisions.
- Spotting and Reporting: The have initiated a policy encouraging all Masters to maintain vigilance, identify whales, and communicate sightings promptly to DFDS vessels and other ships in the vicinity.
Nowhere Networks brings high speed internet to the European cruise industry
The land-based maritime high-speed internet provider Nowhere Networks expands its offering with a complete vessel solution for internet at gigabit speeds in ports. In response to demand from the cruise industry Nowhere Networks already delivers Gbps speed in 50 European major ports today, soon to be expanded to 100 ports across the continent.
VIKING CINDERELLA to go on Advent cruises to Riga and returns to Helsinki this summer
VIKING CINDERELLA © Jukka Huotari
In December, VIKING CINDERELLA will, for the first time in over a decade, steer the course towards Riga. On the second and third days of Advent, the ship departs from Stadsgårdskajen in Stockholm to Latvia's capital. During the three-day cruise, guests will be treated with food compiled by the Swedish Chef National Team and will be able to visit the famous Christmas market on Domkyrkotorget in Riga.
Carnival Corporation appoints Paul Ludlow as president Carnival UK and P&O Cruises in leadership change
Carnival Corporation & plc has announced the appointment of Paul Ludlow as Carnival UK president in addition to his leadership role for P&O Cruises.
In his new consolidated position, Ludlow will assume all commercial and operational responsibility for Carnival UK which includes P&O Cruises and Cunard globally.
New Cunard president Katie McAlister, who joins the company in August, will report to Ludlow.
As part of this leadership change, Sture Myrmell will be leaving the business after a long and illustrious career with the company.
EUR 38m government grant to support DP World Constanta’s transformation into a global trade hub
DP World’s plans to transform its Constanta terminal into global trade hub have kicked into overdrive thanks to a EUR 38m grant from the Ministry of Transport in Romania and the European Union.
The significant investment in DP World Constanta, which has become one of the Black Sea's most important cargo and vehicle ports, will allow it to become a multimodal facility that can offer key trade for goods moving in and out of Europe while also advancing the development of critical transport infrastructure in Romania.
ABB unveils revolutionary propulsion concept to significantly increase ship efficiency
ABB Dynafin (TM) propulsion © ABB
ABB unveiled ABB Dynafin™, a new concept representing a revolutionary propulsion system breaking new ground for efficiency in the marine industry. Inspired by the dynamic motions of a whale’s tail, the innovative concept is the result of over a decade of research, development, and testing. ABB estimates the first prototype to be available in 2025.
An independent study of ABB Dynafin™ from OSK-ShipTech A/S of a passenger vessel design equipped with different propulsion solutions has verified savings in propulsion energy consumption of up to 22 percent compared to conventional shaftline configuration.
Spliethoff launches con-ro liner service between Europe and the US East Coast
PULPCA, one of six sister ships built between 2006-2009 at the Polish Szczecinska yard © Transfennica
Spliethoff announced that it is starting a monthly con-ro liner service from Belgium and the UK to the US East Coast from 1 June. With a transit time of only around 14 days from port to port makes this newly introduced service unique in the market.
The new service will call at Antwerp, Belgium, Bristol and/or Marchwood in the UK and Baltimore, MD, Gloucester, NJ, and Morehead City, NC, in the US. Return cargoes are also possible from the US East Coast to Europe.
Mar de Ons takes delivery of new Incat Crowther catamaran
MAR DE ONS © Incat Crowther
Incat Crowther announced a second Incat Crowther 32 has been delivered to Spanish ferry operator Mar de Ons. The new self-titled vessel, MAR DE ONS, was constructed at Astilleros Armon’s Burella yard and is nearly identical to the 2019-delivered MAR DE CIES.
Göran Eriksson to become Gothenburg Port Authority CEO in August
Gothenburg Port Authority has appointed a new CEO. Göran Eriksson will succeed the current CEO, Elvir Dzanic, and assume his role on 7 August. Currently, Göran serves as the CEO of the GAC Group's company in India.
STAVANGERFJORD and BERGENSFJORD return to service and ownership change announced in Fjord Line
STAVANGERFJORD © Fjord Line
Fjord Line’s STAVANGERFJORD and BERGENSFJORD have been docked for a longer period due to the replacement of the vessels LNG fuel engines to dual fuel capable engines but will soon be back in traffic on their route between Bergen, Stavanger, Hirtshals and Kristiansand. STAVANGERFJORD is already in service since 26 May, and BERGENSFJORD will be back in operation from 16 June.
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