Shippax Newsletter– week 24
DFDS to trial a Guernsey-Jersey high-speed ferry service
TARIFA JET © Frank Lose
The Channel Islands ferry scene has seen a real shake-up this year since the splitting of the services operated from the UK mainland and France to the islands of Guernsey and Jersey, between Brittany Ferries and DFDS, along with the arrival of new passenger-only operated Islands Unlimited. Now, DFDS is to trail a new weekly high-speed inter-island ferry service between Guernsey and Jersey.
Stena Line invests GBP 17 million in Birkenhead Port Development
Stena Line is investing GBP 17 million into developments at the 12 Quays Terminal in Birkenhead to futureproof the operations by increasing freight parking capacity and improving traffic flow.
The 12 Quays Terminal in Birkenhead has become a key hub for Stena Line. In February 2024, Stena Line launched a new Liverpool – Dublin freight only service, which has resulted in a significant increase in freight traffic through the terminal.
Finnlines Launches New Weekly Sheerness Ro-Ro Service
Finnlines has officially celebrated the launch of a new line at an event held in Sheerness on Tuesday 10 June 2025. The weekly service, launched in September 2024, connects London Medway directly to Belgium, Spain, Finland, and Poland. In addition, it enables connections from the UK to the global Grimaldi Group network, offering seamless connections to the Far East, the Middle East, Mediterranean, West Africa, South America and the U.S. East Coast.
DFDS May 2025 Volumes: Freight Growth Outpaces Passenger Decline
DFDS recorded a 4.5% increase in freight volumes for May 2025, reaching 3.7 million lane metres, driven by growth in most network regions, though tempered by a Swedish strike and new ferry competition. Year-to-date (YTD) freight growth was modest at 0.6%. Conversely, passenger numbers fell 4.7% to 411,000, primarily due to lower Channel volumes, with YTD passenger growth down 3.6%. Over the past 12 months, freight volumes rose 4.5% to 41.6 million lane metres, while passengers increased 17.4% to 6.2 million, reflecting route adjustments.
SOUTH ENABLER Delivered to WALLENIUS SOL
SOUTH ENABLER © Visentini
WALLENIUS SOL has taken delivery of the ro-ro vessel SOUTH ENABLER from the Visentini Shipyard. In February 2025, WALLENIUS SOL announced the acquisition of MANN LINES LOGISTICS, significantly expanding the Swedish shipping line's customer base, service offerings, local expertise, and presence in key markets. As part of the acquisition, a new vessel under construction was included. The new ro-ro cargo vessel was officially delivered on 11 June 2025, during her westbound passage past Gibraltar.
First Heavy-Duty Electric Truck Carrying Freight Crosses The Channel
Kuehne+Nagel, P&O Ferries and Renault Trucks, have partnered to successfully transport the first heavy-duty electric truck carrying freight across the English Channel via ferry. The route spanned from Dover to Calais, with the vehicle completing its journey at a Kuehne+Nagel depot in France before returning to the UK.
Incat Crowther To Design Renewable Diesel Ferry For Los Angeles Catalina Express
Incat Crowther has been commissioned by Los Angeles operator Catalina Express to design a new low-emission, renewable diesel-powered passenger ferry. The new ferry will form part of the USD 31 million Los Angeles Marine Emission Reduction (LA MER) project, funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
The new 48-metre passenger ferry will service the popular one-hour tourist route between Los Angeles' Long Beach Port and Santa Catalina Island. Capable of transporting up to 516 passengers across three spacious decks at speeds of up to 37 knots.
BC Ferries Selects CMI Weihai Shipyard To Construct Four New Major Vessels
BC Ferries has selected China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards (CMI Weihai) to build four New Major Vessels (NMVs) following a rigorous global procurement process that included a public Request for Proposals, comprehensive bid evaluations, international site visits, and independent third-party reference checks. Each vessel will be 172 metres long and capable of carrying up to 2,100 passengers and 360 vehicles.
Viking Line Predicts A Busy Helsinki–Tallinn Summer
Viking Line is preparing for a busy summer on its Helsinki–Tallinn route by adding VIKING CINDERELLA and GABRIELLA to the route served by VIKING XPRS and by launching a partnership with Onnibus.
Scandlines Move Forward With Conversion Of Two Fehmarn Belt Ferries To Plug-In Hybrids
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN © Frank Lose
With a total investment of more than EUR 31 million, Scandlines is converting the two 1997-built Fehmarn Belt ferries SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN and DEUTSCHLAND, operating the Puttgarden-Rødby route, to plug-in hybrid ferries. The aim is to reduce CO2e emissions by up to 80 per cent and promote ferry operations based on power from renewable energy sources.
Balàeria and Fred. Olsen Express Boost Huelva-Tenerife Route with Fourth Weekly Summer Service
Balàeria and Fred. Olsen Express increase their activity on the route between Huelva and the Canary Islands with the incorporation of a fourth weekly connection between the port of Huelva and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Between 15 July and 18 September, the companies offer an additional departure to the three they usually make, to meet the high demand expected for this summer period, both for passengers and for the transport of ro-ro goods between the Canary Islands and the Peninsula.
Adriatic Lines starts two new routes between Montenegro and Croatia
Croatia's Adriatic Lines has started two new seasonal fast ferry routes between Montenegro and Croatia. The first service, between Kotor and Dubrovnik started on 2 June and the second new route, between Budva and Dubrovnik on 5 June.
Both new routes are served by the 35 knots fast passenger ferry ANTONIJA, built in 2002 with a capacity for 242 passengers.
Finnlines Adds Gdynia To Its Weekly North Sea Service
Starting from week 26, Finnlines will expand its North Sea network by including the Port of Gdynia, Poland in the weekly rotation.
This route offers a cost-effective and practical intermodal alternative to the road transport for goods moving to and from Poland to Belgium, France, the UK, Spain, and Finland. Additionally, it enables to connect Poland directly to the global Grimaldi Group network, offering links to the Far East, the Middle East, Mediterranean, West Africa, South America and the East Coast of the United States.
Royal Caribbean Announces Board Leadership Transition Plans
Royal Caribbean Group announced that Richard Fain, Chair of the Board of Directors since 1988, will be stepping down from his role as Chairman in Q4 2025. Fain will remain as a Director on the Board. Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO since 3 January 2022, was elected by the Board of Directors to succeed Fain as Chairman and CEO and will assume the role in Q4 2025.
Additionally, John Brock, a member of the Board of Directors since 2014 and current Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has assumed the role of Independent Lead Director.
Baleària to Name Its Third LNG Fast Ferry After Tenerife Writer
MERCEDES PINTO and sister MARGARITA SALAS
Baleària will name its third LNG fast ferry MERCEDES PINTO, in recognition of a prominent 20th-century Spanish writer. The new vessel is scheduled to launch in September at the Astilleros Armon Gijon shipyard.
The fast ferry MERCEDES PINTO will join the shipping company's series of high-speed vessels powered by LNG: the ELEANOR ROOSEVELT (2021) and the MARGARITA SALAS (2023), maintaining similar characteristics to its twins.
Fifth and sixth Aurora Class PCTCs delivered
HÖEGH SUNRISE © Höegh Autoliners
Höegh Autoliners has taken delivery of HÖEGH SUNRISE and HÖEGH MOONLIGHT from China Merchants Heavy Industry in China. HÖEGH SUNRISE and HÖEGH MOONLIGHT, with capacities of 9,100 CEU each, are the fifth and sixth vessels in Höegh Autoliners' Aurora Class, which will comprise 12 ships when completed in 2027.
Viking Line Unveils VIKING HELIOS, the World’s Largest Electric Passenger-Car Ferry for the Helsinki–Tallinn Route
Viking Line is preparing to launch a completely emission-free service between Helsinki and Tallinn. The company's new groundbreaking vessel concept is proof that a green maritime corridor across the Gulf of Finland could be realised as early as the beginning of the 2030s. Upon realisation, the concept, named VIKING HELIOS, would be the world's largest electric passenger-car ferry.
VIKING HELIOS concept ferry
• Length: Approx. 195 m
• Width: Approx. 30 m
• Power source: Electricity (100%)
• Battery capacity: 85–100 MWh (equivalent to ~1,500 EV cars)
• Charging power requirement >30 MW
• Speed: Approx. 23 knots
• Passengers: Approx. 2,000
• Private cars: Approx. 650
• Cargo capacity: Approx. 2,000 lane metres
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