Shippax Newsletter– week 27
Molslinjen cuts HAMMERSHUS overhaul time with Wärtsilä exchange parts
HAMMERSHUS © Bornholmslinjen
Danish operator Molslinjen has completed a major 32,000-hour engine overhaul on the RoPax ferry HAMMERSHUS within a 14-day dry-docking window, using Wärtsilä's Exchange Parts service to install pre-overhauled cylinder packages rather than reconditioning the removed components on site.
Kelsian wins Auckland ferry contracts and acquires Belaire Ferries
Kelsian Group Limited has been awarded new long-term passenger ferry contracts in Auckland, New Zealand, and has agreed to acquire local operator Belaire Ferries Limited, marking the Australian transport group's entry into the New Zealand market.
Thoma-Sea named apparent low bidder for TUSTUMENA replacement at USD 350 million
Illustration of the new TUSTUMENA © AMHS
The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has identified Louisiana-based Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors as the apparent low bidder to build the Tustumena Replacement Vessel (TRV) for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), following a public bid of USD 349,996,251.
Baleària completes Armas Trasmediterránea takeover with Strait and Alborán assets
VOLCÁN DE TIMANFAYA will become the most modern addtion of the four © Frank Lose
Baleària has closed the acquisition of the Alborán and Strait perimeters of Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea, adding four vessels and a portfolio of route concessions after clearing the competition authorities in both Spain and Morocco.
The deal completes the transaction first announced in August 2025, which had already seen the Canary Islands perimeter close in May under the Baleària Canarias brand. With the latest closing, the Dénia-based operator takes full legal and operational control of the Armas Trasmediterránea assets in the two remaining areas.
Change at the top of the Meyer Werft group
André Walter and Bernd Eikens
The Chairman of the Management Board (CEO) of Meyer Werft GmbH, Bernd Eikens, will leave the company on 30 June 2026 and retire. As announced at the end of 2025, André Walter will succeed him on 1 July 2026 and will lead the company together with Ralf Schmitz (Chief Restructuring Officer) and Jörg Heidelberg (Chief Operating Officer).
Grimaldi takes delivery of the GRANDE ORIENTE
The Grimaldi Group took delivery of its new vessel GRANDE ORIENTE. Built by China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu, she is the Neapolitan shipping group's twelfth ammonia-ready PCTC, designed for future conversion to ammonia as a zero-carbon alternative fuel.
With a length of 220 metres, beam of 38 metres, gross tonnage of 93,145 GT, and a cruising speed of 18 knots, the GRANDE ORIENTE can transport both electric vehicles and those powered by fossil fuels, with a maximum capacity of 9,000 CEU.
POLSCA Baltic Ferries launches new Gdansk–Karlshamn route
POLSCA Baltic Ferries is expanding its Baltic Sea network with a new ferry service between Gdansk, Poland, and Karlshamn, Sweden, with the first sailing scheduled for 6 July 2026.
The new route strengthens ferry connections between Poland and southern Scandinavia, offering passengers and freight customers an additional, flexible link across the Baltic Sea. With Karlshamn joining the network, POLSCA Baltic Ferries will connect Poland with four Swedish ports: Karlshamn, Nynäshamn, Ystad and Trelleborg.
Marine battery maker AYK Energy seals nine-vessel deal with Grimaldi Group
AYK Energy announced a major contract with Grimaldi Group to supply its 2,073 kWh OrionAN marine battery systems to each of the nine next-generation RoPax vessels, for a total battery capacity of 18,657 kWh across the fleet.
The vessels are being constructed at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai), with delivery scheduled between 2028 and 2030. Six vessels will operate in the Mediterranean under Grimaldi Lines and Minoan Lines, while three will serve Finnlines in the Baltic Sea.
ClassNK launches world's first notation for ship construction carbon footprint
Japanese classification society ClassNK has introduced what it describes as the world's first notation to visualise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated during ship construction. The new notation, "a-EA (CFP)", confirms that a vessel's carbon footprint (CFP) during construction has been calculated and independently verified by a third party.
Baleària Canarias adds highest-capacity RoRo vessel in Canary Islands history
JOSEFINA DE LA TORRE
Baleària Canarias has taken delivery of JOSEFINA DE LA TORRE, described by the company as the RoRo vessel with the highest historical cargo capacity ever operated in the Canary Islands. The ship, with capacity for 4,000 lane metres of cargo, significantly increases weekly freight capacity between the archipelago and the port of Cádiz.
MOL and IBM Japan launch AI platform to revolutionize vessel operations
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and IBM Japan have announced the joint development and launch of a cutting-edge AI-powered platform designed to enhance decision-making and safety in vessel operations. The new system, now live, is centered on MOL's Safety Operation Supporting Center (SOSC), which oversees the safe navigation of MOL-affiliated vessels worldwide.
Brittany Ferries to sell two ships and close routes from late 2026
COTENTIN © Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries has announced fleet and route changes for late 2026, citing rising costs from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), outstanding Covid-era loan repayments, and competition on the Eastern Channel.
The operator said it faces an ETS bill of around EUR 27 million in 2026, with no allowance made for its recent fleet investment. The company added that the figure applies before the UK introduces an equivalent scheme for ships in British waters. Brittany Ferries also stated it has repaid half of the loan provided to support the company during the pandemic, with the remainder still outstanding.
CMAL takes ownership of remaining Cemre vessels to safeguard delivery for island communities
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has taken ownership of the three remaining vessels under construction at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey as a precautionary measure to support their completion and delivery to Scotland's island communities.
The vessels — LOCH INDAAL, LOCHMOR and CLAYMORE — are now assets owned by CMAL ahead of their formal handover. The decision has been taken against a backdrop of challenging economic circumstances affecting Cemre and businesses across the region, including global pressures stemming from the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran and disruption in the Red Sea.
BOS Power to supply shoreside batteries for Molslinjen's Kattegat electrification
Molslinjen has selected Nordic energy storage specialist BOS Power to deliver the two large shoreside battery packs that will power its forthcoming electric high-speed ferries on the Kattegat route between Jutland and Zealand.
BOS Power has been awarded a turnkey Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) contract covering two coastal sites, in the harbours of Aarhus and on Sjællands Odde. Each battery pack will have a capacity of 118 MWh and will ensure the large catamarans can recharge every time they berth at one of the two ports.
Construction underway on US-designed and built 48-metre catamaran ferry for Hy-Line Cruises
Construction on a new 48-metre, bespoke catamaran passenger ferry designed by global digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther for US operator Hy-Line Cruises is now underway. The new vessel, which is being built by Midship Marine in Louisiana, will operate on Hy-Line Cruise's critical tourism and commercial routes connecting Hyannis, Massachusetts, with the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Capable of transporting up to 493 passengers across three spacious passenger decks, the vessel is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 30 knots and has been designed specifically for the unique local conditions experienced off the coast of Cape Cod.
Shippax Database - vessel data and insights
• New - Alternative fuels and battery details
• Updated daily
• Detailed vessel data found nowhere else
• Financial data and transactions
• Newbuildings and ships on order
• GA plans
• Powerful search capabilities
• Build your own report and export to Excel
Most read
Wallenius Wilhelmsen takes delivery of first Shaper Class vessel
jul 14 2026
STENA VINGA to become CORBIÈRE SEAWAYS following Jersey public vote
jul 24 2026
TROLLIUS SOYA launched
jul 17 2026
BC Ferries welcomes ISLAND SARLEQUUN to its fleet after transatlantic delivery voyage
jul 16 2026
SCILLONIAN IV starts sea trials in Vietnam
jul 15 2026
DFDS freight volumes up 3.3% in June, passenger numbers down 8.0%
jul 13 2026
KiwiRail confirmed as operator of new Cook Strait ferries KUPE and COOK
jul 24 2026
ECSA welcomes EUR 10 billion ETS earmark, warns of gaps on competitiveness
jul 18 2026
