Shippax Newsletter– week 46
Celestyal Cruises acquires AIDAAURA – vessel to be renamed CELESTYAL DISCOVERY after major refit in Greece
Celestyal Cruises has confirmed its acquisition of Carnival Corporation’s cruise vessel AIDAAURA with the 2003-built vessel entering service in 2024 as CELESTYAL DISCOVERY following a major refit in Greece.
At 42,289 gt the latest addition to the Celestyal fleet is a mid-size vessel, allowing the Greek operator to continue offering its signature unique blend of marquee destinations and more secluded ports of call that characterises Celestyal's itineraries.
Hyundai Glovis to order 12 largest ever PCTCs
Hyundai Glovis is to spend USD 1.85 billion on 12 new dual-fuel LNG PCTCs, each with a huge capacity of 10,800 CEU, which will be the largest vessels of their type yet built when in service.
Although no shipbuilder has yet been awarded this large newbuilding contract, it is expected that the 12 vessels will be built in China, with deliveries starting September 2027.
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Marfret takes delivery of FERRYMAR from China
Compagnie Maritime Marfret has taken delivery of its new 1,200 lanemetre capacity freight ro-ro FERRYMAR from China’s Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industries Co.
The 120m x 22m vessel has been designed by Marfret in co-operation with China's SDARI specifically for Marfret's services linking France's overseas territories in the Caribbean, replacing the 1991-built 1,000 lanemetre capacity MARIN.
The first of two 6,500 CEU PCTCs for Wallenius Marine launched
The first of two Knud E. Hansen-designed multifuel-capable PCTCs for Wallenius Marine has been launched at the CIMC Raffles shipyard in China. The 6,500 CEU capacity FUTURE WAY and sister WAY FORWARD will both be delivered next year and be long-term chartered to the VW Group upon delivery.
DFDS Q3 2023 interim report and October volumes
AURA SEAWAYS © George Giannakis
DFDS Q3 2023 revenue decreased 1.8% to DKK 7.2bn but increased 6.7% adjusted for ferry bunker surcharges. The adjusted growth was driven by higher ferry revenue and revenue from logistics acquisitions. The Q3 EBITDA of DKK 1,592m was on level with Q3 2022.
Ferry – freight: Total volumes in October 2023 were 1.4% below 2022.
Ferry – passenger: The number of passengers increased 4.0% driven by more Channel passengers. The number of cars increased 1.6%.
MOL to Install cameras and AI systems in cargo holds of PCTC’s for early fire detection
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will install cameras and an AI system developed by Captain's Eye in the cargo holds of most of its LNG-fuelled car carriers to provide early fire detection capabilities. The devices will be installed on 10 vessels currently on order and scheduled for delivery in 2024 or later, and the company will consider retrofitting current in-service vessels with the system.
MacGregor has received a significant ro-ro equipment order for two PCTC’s
MacGregor has received a significant order to supply comprehensive packages of ro-ro equipment for two PCTC’s vessels to be built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea for Ray Car Carriers.
The order was booked into Cargotec's 2023 third quarter orders received. The vessels are scheduled to be delivered to the owner between the second quarter of 2026 and the third quarter of 2026.
FINNSIRIUS exceeds expectations its first two months in service
FINNSIRIUS © Jukka Huotari
Finnlines reports strong growth of passengers travelling on its Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär route during the two months that have passed since the operator’s new Superstar ro-pax vessel FINNSIRIUS was introduced on the route. The new Superstar service concept offers upgraded services on the route for both cargo customers and passengers.
FINNSIRIUS, Finnlines’ new Superstar freight-passenger vessel has exceeded all expectations. The number of passengers on the Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär route connecting Finland, the Åland Islands, and Sweden has increased by over 60 per cent during the first two months of its operation compared to the same period 2022.
La Méridionale unveils new upcoming ro-pax pair
© Stirling Design International
Following the announcement of the takeover of La Méridionale by the CMA CGM group in May this year, the new management announced that they would soon order new vessels. La Méridionale has now unveiled the look and details of these two ro-paxes.
The pair will be built at China’s CMI Jinling Weihai yard at a combined contract price of close to EUR 400 million and are expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2027. They will each have a capacity for 1,000 passengers and feature 264 cabins in seven different categories, including 21 luxury cabins with balconies.
SEVEN SEAS GRANDEUR delivered to Regent Seven Seas Cruises
SEVEN SEAS GRANDEUR © Regent Seven Seas
SEVEN SEAS GRANDEUR, the third luxury cruise ship that Fincantieri has built for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the luxury cruise line in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s portfolio of three brands, was delivered 13 November at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard.
Fincantieri has built all three luxury vessels in the Explorer Class, SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER in 2016, SEVEN SEAS SPLENDOR in 2020 and now SEVEN SEAS GRANDEUR in 2023. Like her sister vessels, SEVEN SEAS GRANDEUR is approximately 55,500 gt and will accommodate only 746 passengers on board, with one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the industry.
Visit to Incat shipyard where the largest fully electric ferry to date is being built
On the last day of the Interferry conference in Tasmania we visited the Incat shipyard where the largest fully electric ferry to date is being built. The 130-metre CHINA ZORRILLA for Buquebus will serve a 1h 20min route between Argentina and Uruguay fully electric thanks to its massive 40 MWh battery pack, almost four times larger than any battery installation that has been constructed and installed anywhere in the world for the marine transport environment.
Incat release 70 metre fully electric concept for series production
Incat Tasmania has unveiled new plans to do for short sea ferry services what Boeing did for the aviation industry, but with series produced zero (direct) emissions vessels. For this purpose, Incat has developed a new 70-metre fully electric concept.
General particulars:
Builder: Incat Tasmania
Designer: Revolution Design
Length overall: 70.0m
Beam moulded: 19.1m
Speed: 25 knots @ 150 DWT
Voyage Length: 20NM @ 25 knots*
90NM @ 12 knots*
Charge time: Approx. 30-45 mins (depending on shore charging capacity)*
*Approximate range based on ESS size of 5.9 MWh, six voyages per day and charging at both ends
Capacities:
Max deadweight: 250 tonnes
Complement: 450 plus crew
Vehicle capacity: 70 cars + 105 truck lane metres or132 cars @ 4.5m x 2.3m
MSC Cruises confirms order for two additional World Class cruise ships
MSC WORLD EUROPA © MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises confirmed the order of two LNG-powered vessels with French ship builder Chantiers de l’Atlantique. This sees the two World Class options confirmed as firm orders with an option for a fifth ship. The two new ordered vessels – currently referred to as World Class 3 and 4 - will be delivered in 2026 and 2027.
Finnlines’ Financial review January–September 2023
FINNSIRIUS © Jukka Huotari
Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO, in conjunction with the review:
“The Finnlines Group’s revenue in January–September 2023 amounted to EUR 513.2 (558.4 in 2022) million, a decrease of 8 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2022. The result for the reporting period was EUR 56.9 (105.2) million. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, EBITDA, amounted to EUR 131.7 (169.2) million.
Electric car charging now available on Öresundslinjen ferries
As a world’s first, powerful electric car charging will now be available on board Öresundslinjen’s two ferries TYCHO BRAHE and AURORA between Helsingborg and Helsingør. Four chargers with space for eight cars on each departure are installed on each of the electric ferries. This means that up to 260,000 electric cars can be charged annually on the frequent route across the Øresund.
Celebrity Cruises takes delivery of CELEBRITY ASCENT
CELEBRITY ASCENT © Celebrity Cruises
The fourth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series, the 327-metre CELEBRITY ASCENT has been delivered from the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard and will make her debut in Fort Lauderdale on 3 December with a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing.
Celebrity Cruises also revealed that the fifth ship in the series will be named CELEBRITY XCEL and debut November 2025.
Eqva sells Havyard Leirvik yard to Tersan Shipyard
Eqva ASA has entered into agreement to divest its Havyard Leirvik yard in Norway, reaffirming the company’s strategic direction and ambition to become an industrial investment company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Buyer of the Havyard Leirvik yard is the Turkish Tersan Shipyard.
The transaction is based on a share sale, where Eqva ASA is selling its shares (100%) in Havyard Leirvik Holding AS, where the subsidiaries Havyard Leirvik AS and Havyard Leirvik Eiendom AS are included. The transaction is settled by NOK 30 million in cash.
Steel cutting ceremony for NEOLINER sailing ro-ro vessel
Neoline Armateur reached a milestone with the start of the construction of its very first sailing ro-ro vessel, marked by the official cutting of its first sheet metal, a year and a half before the ship is due to enter into service in June 2025.
The NEOLINER is a 136-metre-long ro-ro vessel. It is equipped by innovative technological features, such as its two 76-metre folding carbon SOLIDSAIL masts, with a 3,000 sqm sail area, developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, as well as retractable anti-drift plans and a particularly efficient weather routing system. This equipment, coupled with a speed reduction to 11 knots (versus 15 knots on a conventionally propelled vessel), should ensure that the main propulsion is by sail, saving up 80% to 90% of fuel (and associated emissions).
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