Stockholm–Tallinn Passenger Route Celebrates 35 Years

17th of June 2025 marked 35 years since the ferry connection between Stockholm and Tallinn was re-established—a historic milestone that coincided with Estonia's journey towards independence. Since then, over 20 million passengers have travelled between the two capitals, and the route has become a vital link for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

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North Sea Handling to Supply Cargo/Passenger Access Equipment for Stena RoRo’s Two New E-Flexer Vessels

North Sea Handling AS, through its subsidiary NSH Ships Equipment AS, has been awarded the contract to equip Stena RoRo's two new vessels, being built for Attica Group by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) Co., Ltd., with cargo access equipment tailor-made for ro-ro operations.

The NSH scope of supply will include a wide range of equipment for handling ro-ro, bunkering, passengers, and crew.

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Danish Ferry Companies Join the “Speak Nicely” Campaign

"Moron!" "Fool!" "Get a grip!" "Just do your bloody job!"
These are the kinds of heated exchanges that occasionally erupt on Danish ferries when frustrated passengers and crew clash verbally. The goal is to reduce such confrontations. A coalition of Danish ferry companies and unions has rolled out a campaign called "Speak Nicely – We're All in the Same Boat" to foster kinder interactions.

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Refurbished passenger areas on Finnlines’ Finland–Germany vessels welcome summer travellers

Three of Finnlines' freight-passenger vessels, sister ships FINNSTAR, FINNLADY, and FINNMAID, operate on the route between Helsinki, Finland and Travemünde, Germany. Over the spring, their public areas underwent significant upgrades. Now, they are ready to welcome passengers for summer 2025 with a refreshed and modern look.

The refurbishment focused on enhancing the café and lounge areas, as well as upgrading the exterior deck.

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New ICS Chairman Designate named

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) concluded its Annual General Meeting and Board Meeting in Athens, announcing key leadership changes and strategic developments. John Denholm CBE was unanimously recommended as the next Chairman, succeeding Emanuele Grimaldi in June 2026. Three new Vice Chairs were appointed: Dr. Gaby Bornheim (Germany), Carl-Johan Hagman (Japan), and Claes Berglund (Sweden).

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Brittany Ferries confirm reinstatement of winter Poole-Cherbourg service

Brittany Ferries will be reinstating a daily passenger and freight winter service between Poole and Cherbourg from 14 December 2025 to 29 March 2026. The route will be served by the vessel COMMODORE CLIPPER, supporting freight and ferry passenger traffic throughout the winter period.

Looking ahead, the BARFLEUR will return to the Port of Poole, taking over from the COMMODORE CLIPPER from 29 March 2026.

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NORRÖNA Leads with Innovative Brine-Based System to Combat EV Fires at Sea

NORRÖNA © Smyril Line

EV-related fires, like the MORNING MIDAS blaze, challenge the maritime industry. A new brine-based firefighting system by Skansi Offshore and KNUD E. HANSEN offers a simple, eco-friendly solution. It's operational on Smyril Line's NORRÖNA, the world's longest ro-pax route, and planned for two new ro-ro vessels.

Unlike traditional fire suppression methods, which act externally and often fail to extinguish the core fire, the brine system targets the battery directly from inside the vehicle. In a fire event, one window is penetrated, and cold, saturated brine is delivered into the cabin. This allows the fluid to pool around the battery compartment, rapidly cooling the cells, limiting oxygen exposure, suppressing flammable materials, and even short-circuiting and depowering the battery.

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RINA Acquires Finland-based Foreship, Strengthening Global Position in Marine Consulting

RINA, the multinational engineering consultancy, inspection and certification group, has acquired the entire share capital of Foreship, a Finnish company specialising in naval architecture and marine engineering, from Vaaka Partners and company's managers. The acquisition marks a further expansion of RINA's marine engineering consulting offering worldwide, while strengthening its presence in Northern Europe.

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Ekeri and Wasaline Achieve Fully Carbon-Neutral Trailer Transport from Finland to Southern Sweden

AURORA BOTNIA © Wasaline

Trailer manufacturer Ekeri and the shipping company Wasaline have been working together for over a year to provide carbon-neutral transport solutions. Now, this partnership reaches a new milestone: Ekeri's trailers are being transported entirely carbon-neutrally from Vaasa in Finland to Southern Sweden, marking a first in the company's history.

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Mumbai Will Get The World’s Largest Fleet of Electric Foiling Vessels

Candela announced the sale of 11 P-12 electric ferries to JalVimana Shuttles in Mumbai — the largest electric fleet deal to date.

The P-12 vessels will operate on two of Mumbai's busiest routes: Gateway of India to Alibaug, and Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. These routes were awarded to Candela earlier this year and will now serve as the starting point for the world's first foiling electric mass transit system.

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Shippax helps develop the European Travel Retail Confederation’s new Nordic & Baltic Ferry Index

The European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) has released the ETRC Business Performance Index for the full year 2024, including the first iteration of the ETRC Nordic & Baltic Ferry Index. We at Shippax are pleased to have assisted in developing this new index by supplying our unique ferry statistics.

The newly launched ETRC Nordic & Baltic Ferry Index, developed in close cooperation with key ferry operators in the region, provides for the first time an accurate and comprehensive view of the Nordic and Baltic Ferry Duty Free sector, based on actual data shared by the region's leading ferry operators.

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STENA FORETELLER Cargo Increase Conversion Complete

STENA FORETELLER © Stena RoRo

Stena RoRo has taken delivery of the STENA FORETELLER from the Chinese shipyard CMI Weihai, and the vessel is now en route to replace the STENA FORERUNNER, which will also undergo conversion.

This spring, Stena RoRo oversaw the conversion of the STENA FORETELLER, operated by Stena Line, set to begin service in mid-July on the Europort (Rotterdam) – Immingham route.

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La Méridionale Unveils Names for Chinese-built Ro-Pax Pair

La Méridionale has announced the names of its two next-generation hybrid ro-paxes under construction at the CMI Jinling Weihai yard and set to enter service in 2027: ALBANOVA and AZURA. Drawing inspiration from Corsica's nickname, the "Isle of Beauty," these vessels will proudly represent both the company and the island's vibrant heritage.

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Scandlines Gears Up for Future Fixed-Link Competition

© Frank Lose

With competition from the Great Belt Bridge and a future tunnel, Scandlines is focusing on more than just transportation. The ferry journey itself is being reimagined as a highlight of the trip. Updates include new dining options with partners like Hansen Ice Cream and Starbucks, a streamlined digital booking system with license plate recognition, and a fresh, family-friendly environment on board, including a new children's area. Slot machines have been removed to create a more modern, cohesive atmosphere.

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