Estonian State Fleet will launch a new ferry construction tender for the Virtsu-Kuivastu route in September 2024

© Deltamarin

After an initial procurement process and technical consultations earlier this year, the Estonian State Fleet, in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate, has decided to make adjustments to the Virtsu-Kuivastu ferry project to keep construction costs within the original budget of EUR 40 million, funded by the EU modernization fund and the state budget. The new ferry will be slightly smaller, more cost-effective, and is expected to be completed by the fall of 2026.

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Mitsubishi Shipbuilding receives orders for Japan's first methanol-capable ro-ro ships

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has received orders from Toyofuji Shipping and Fukuju Shipping for Japan's first methanol-capable ro-ro ships. The two ships will be built at the Enoura Plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture, with scheduled completion and delivery by the end of fiscal 2027.

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Höegh Autoliners secures significant Enova funding for four ammonia-powered Aurora vessels and sees first out on sea trials

HÖEGH AURORA during sea trials © Höegh Autoliners

Höegh Autoliners was granted NOK 109,4 million in increased Enova funding as part of its “Ammonia fuelled vessel programme” to ensure that four of Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora Class PCTC vessels can run fully on ammonia when they are delivered in 2027. The company will in total receive NOK 255,4 million in Enova funding.
Höegh Autoliners also announced that the first ship in the 12-ship programme, HÖEGH AURORA, has been out on sea trials and should be delivered in the next few weeks.

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New Wasaline timetable with a record number of weekly departures

AURORA BOTNIA © Wasaline

As of 24 June, Wasaline will operate a total of 26 trips per week, setting a new record for the company. The two new trips between Vaasa and Umeå will run on Mondays, with AURORA BOTNIA making four departures—two from Umeå and two from Vaasa. AURORA BOTNIA now runs 3-4 trips daily throughout the high season, which lasts until 5 August 2024.
Wasaline also proudly announced that the latest Port State Control (PSC) inspections of AURORA BOTNIA resulted in a clean sheet with no remarks.

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The European Commission approves EUR 570 million Italian State aid scheme for port shore power solutions

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a EUR 570 million Italian scheme to incentivise ships to use shore-side electricity when they are at berth in maritime ports. The measure contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and noise in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal.

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CMA CGM to charter MIDAS until December 2026

MIMER in CMA CGM service

CMA CGM has time chartered Godby Shipping’s MIDAS until December 2026. MIDAS will, before starting the charter, go through class renewal docking in Turkey. After the dry dock, MIDAS will replace MIMER in the Caribbean, and MIMER will go for her class renewal docking and is then open for new adventures. Godby estimate that the dry docking of the vessels will prolong their lifetime by about 10 years.

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BALTIC PRINCESS continues on the route between Stockholm and Turku - now with a new cruise product

BALTIC PRINCESS © Jukka Huotari

Tallink Silja Line announced that BALTIC PRINCESS will continue on the Stockholm-Turku route, instead of returning to the former Kapellskär-Turku route. In addition, a new cruise product, "A Day in Turku", is being introduced from Stockholm. This cruise departs every Tuesday starting 17 September 2024.

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Notice of intention to make a voluntary takeover offer to acquire the shares of AS Tallink Grupp

BALTIC QUEEN and MEGASTAR © Dmitry Sumin

Infortar, the largest investment holding company in Estonia, has submitted an application to the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority (EFSA) for approval of a public and voluntary takeover offer for Tallink shareholders. According to plans, Tallink will remain a publicly listed company.

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Royal Caribbean International takes delivery of UTOPIA OF THE SEAS and celebrate keel-laying of CELEBRITY XCEL

UTOPIA OF THE SEAS © Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International’s latest Oasis Class cruise ship, UTOPIA OF THE SEAS, has been delivered from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. The keel-laying ceremony for CELEBRITY XCEL has also been held, the fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge series.

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Grant received for study to retrofit SAMSKIP KVITNOS with fuel cells and hydrogen fuel

SAMSKIP KVITNOS © Samskip

TECO 2030, BLOM Maritime and Samskip received ENOVA grant to study a retrofit of Samskip’s 2015-built LNG vessel SAMSKIP KVITNOS with fuel cells and hydrogen fuel, which currently operates on a weekly multipurpose service from Rotterdam and along most of the Norwegian coastline to Hammerfest.

The goal of the project is to prepare for an investment decision to retrofit SAMSKIP KVITNOS. The project also aims to facilitate long-term hydrogen fuel supply contracts due to the vessel’s fixed route.

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Sweden-Belgium Green Shipping Corridor welcomes new partner and expands green ambitions

Port of Gothenburg, North Sea Port, and DFDS welcome Port of Antwerp-Bruges to the Green Shipping Corridor and bolsters the green ambitions of the project. By 2030, two DFDS ammonia-fuelled ro-ro vessels are expected to operate on the routes between Sweden and Belgium, and the ports will step up efforts on electrification and ammonia bunkering, potentially making it the world's first green ammonia shipping corridor for freight vessels.

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