Shippax Newsletter– week 49
Yesterday, we sent Shippax Designs 23 to the printers. Designs 23 present all newbuilt or converted ferries, cruise liners and ro-ro vessels delivered between 1 January 2022 - 30 June 2023. The theme ship is Finnlines new FINNSIRIUS, which we present in several extensive in-depth reports. The book will be available to purchase in our webshop later today. As with all our publications, it is also available to read online.
We wish you a great weekend
Attica Group embarks on EUR 1 billion fleet upgrade programme
BLUE STAR NAXOS and BLUE STAR 2 © George Giannakis
Following the merger with ANEK Lines, Attica Group has embarked on a major fleet upgrade programme, costing just over EUR 1 billion, which focuses on developing “green ferries” – both existing vessels and newbuildings. At the same time, Attica is also considering a newbuilding programme for smaller ferries for service in the Aegean.
Attica's comprehensive fleet upgrade programme has been developed in co-operation with Lloyd's Register, and encompasses three phases:
Phase 1 – Is already underway and includes direct measures for further environmental rationalisation of the fleet. This includes optimising propulsion systems, digital systems and the installation of photovoltaic and other energy-saving systems, with a total budget of EUR 160 million.
Phase 2 – This stage involves fitting new dual-fuel engines on selected ferries, with a budget of EUR 400 million allocated for 2026/27.
Phase 3 – Envisages the construction of new ro-pax ferries that will comply with international regulations for significant carbon emissions reduction. This stage has a budget of EUR 500 million, with a completion date of 2029.
High-speed ferries to become fully electric with groundbreaking battery-swapping robot
Illustration of BARONEN and BARONESSEN lengthened by 10 metres and with SHIFTR installed Illustration Brødrene Aa
This autumn, the high-speed ferries BARONESSEN and BARONEN returned to the shipyard to replace their diesel engines with batteries - and to extend their hulls by a full 10 metres. The vessels will both have the battery exchange solution SHIFTR installed, a system where battery packs are exchanged at scheduled calls and are replaced with fully charged battery packs that are taken on board.
Tallink’s ISABELLE on its way to British Columbia to start long-term charter to Bridgemans Services after upgrade project in Estonia and Finland
ISABELLE © Bridgemans
Tallink’s ISABELLE is currently on her way from Europe to British Columbia, Canada, via Las Palmas and the Panama Canal, to start her long-term charter to Vancouver-based floatel specialist Bridgemans Services Group (BSG) as a luxury accommodation vessel for workers building the Woodfibre LNG export terminal, near Squamish, British Columbia.
In her new guides as a floatel, ISABELLE now features a wide range of advanced environmental systems, including an ultraviolet water purification system, the ability to run on shore based hydro power, industrial sized heat pumps and sewage treatment that includes ultra filtration, a low intensity UV unit, and shipping to a waste management facility in BC.
Deltamarin signs an engineering contract for Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s next-generation next generation Shaper Class PCTCs
Shaper Class © Deltamarin
Deltamarin has signed a design contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd for the design and engineering of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s next-generation Pure Car & Truck Carriers (PCTCs). The signed contract includes the complete basic and detail design work for four confirmed, and up to eight optional, units of 9,350 CEU class methanol dual-fuel PCTCs ordered by Wallenius Wilhemsen. Prior to this engineering contract, Deltamarin has executed the outline and contract design of the new vessels.
Seaspan Corporation and HMM each order 6+4 largest ever multi fuel ready PCTCs
Seaspan Corporation and HMM signed contracts with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and GSI for 6+4 10,800 CEU capacity PTCTs each. The vessels which will be the largest capacity PCTCs to date will be dual-fuel LNG capable and ammonia and methanol ready and will be long-term chartered to Hyundai Glovis upon delivery.
The contracts are reported to be worth USD 120 million per vessel.
AS Tallink Grupp Statistics for November 2023
In November 2023 AS Tallink Grupp transported 376,997 passengers, which is a 0.4% decrease compared to November 2022. The number of cargo units decreased by 20.8% to 26,547 units and the number of passenger vehicles decreased by 4.6% to 50,244 units in the same comparison.
EWE cruises, Deltamarin and Tillberg design of Sweden receive AIP from DNV for their new expedition cruise vessel project
EWE Expedition Cruise © Tillberg design of Sweden
A new expedition cruise vessel project, developed by EWE cruises, Deltamarin and Tillberg design of Sweden, has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the classification society DNV. The project was published at Marintec Shanghai on 7 December 2023, alongside the presentation of AiP certificates to the involved parties.
The 17,000 gt vessel is designed for 200 passengers for worldwide service, covering both Arctic and tropical regions. One of its unique design features is the full capacity for simultaneous Zodiac expedition trips for all passengers.
The first of 12 new hybrid fast ferries for Liberty Lines launched
VITTORIO MORACE © Liberty Lines
The first of 12 new hybrid fast ferries for Italian operator Liberty Lines have been launched by shipbuilder Astilleros Armon in Spain. The 39.5-metre VITTORIO MORACE is capable of transporting 251 passengers at speeds of 30 knots and can also operate in a fully electric mode at speeds of up to 8 knots.
The vessels will be delivered between 2024 and 2029.
USD 220.2 million federal grant to modernize the US ferry systems
The 1964-built TUSTUMENA will be replaced © Alaska Marine Highway System
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced grants totalling USD 220.2 million from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize the nation's ferry systems. The program focuses in part on expanding ferry service in rural communities, helping communities acquire modern ferries and upgrade shore infrastructure for low-emission ferry services.
In total, FTA is awarding 13 grants in eight states and the territory of American Samoa. Federal funding will support projects such as replacing old vessels, expanding fleets, and building new terminals and docks.
Baleària plans to open a service between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in 2024
A new terminal will be built © Baleària
Baleària plans to open a new ferry route between San Pedro de Macorís (Dominican Republic) and Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) after summer 2024. The shipping company plans to provide a daily ferry service over the 133 miles between the two ports. It also plans to build a terminal in the port of San Pedro de Macorís and adapt the one in Mayagüez.
Deltamarin wins design contract for La Méridionale’s new ro-pax vessels
© Stirling Design International
Deltamarin has signed a contract with China Merchants Jinling shipyard (Weihai) for the approval and detail design of La Méridionale’s upcoming ro-pax vessel project. As a part of the contract, Deltamarin will be responsible for providing both the approval and detail design services for the construction of the new ro-pax vessel pair. Deltamarin has earlier provided the shipyard with consultancy and contract design services on the project.
BIRKA GOTLAND will be the Baltic Sea's new pleasure cruise ship
BIRKA STOCKHOLM will be renamed BIRKA GOTLAND © Jukka Huotari
In August, Viking Line and Gotlandsbolaget presented a completely new joint investment in cruise traffic between Stockholm, Mariehamn and Visby. Now it is clear that the Baltic Sea's new pleasure cruiser will be called BIRKA GOTLAND. Under the leadership of CEO Susanne Kaarnimo-Knight, BIRKA GOTLAND will offer cruises from the end of March 2024.
MEYER WERFT hands over cruise ship CARNIVAL JUBILEE
CARNIVAL JUBILEE © Meyer Werft
MEYER WERFT handed over the CARNIVAL JUBILEE to Carnival Cruise Line on the scheduled date. The newbuilding is the first ship for Carnival Cruise Line (Miami/USA) to be built in Papenburg.
The ship is 345.4 metres long, 42 metres wide and can accommodate 5,374 passengers (double occupancy). The CARNIVAL JUBILEE has a wide range of entertainment options and numerous restaurants. The highlight on the upper deck is the "Ultimate Playground" with a waterpark including large slides and the "BOLT" roller coaster.
Wärtsilä introduce another four methanol engines
© Wärtsilä Corporation
Wärtsilä will introduce another four methanol engines to its portfolio. In addition to the Wärtsilä 32 methanol engine launched last year, Wärtsilä will add the Wärtsilä 20, Wärtsilä 31, Wärtsilä 46F and Wärtsilä 46TS to its portfolio of engines capable of operating with methanol fuel.
The four new methanol engines will be available for deliveries at different points from 2025 onwards.
Cepsa and C2X set up joint project to develop one of the world’s largest green methanol plants in Europe
At COP28 Cepsa and C2X announced a joint project to provide green methanol for multiple industries, including chemicals and shipping. The project is to develop a plant in Huelva, Spain, entailing an investment of up to EUR 1 billion, that would become one of the five largest green methanol plants in the world with an annual production capacity of 300,000 tonnes, preventing the emission up to 1 million tonnes of fossil CO2. A final investment decision for the project is expected to be made in 2025.
Bill Gates founded Breakthrough Energy Catalyst to support the Swedish based e-methanol producer FlagshipONE
At COP28, Ørsted announced that the EU-Catalyst Partnership, which consists of the European Commission, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, and the European Investment Bank, has vowed to support Ørsted’s FlagshipONE project, Europe’s largest e-methanol plant for shipping.
Float out of TUI Cruises’ methanol capable MEIN SCHIFF 7 at Meyer Turku
MEIN SCHIFF 7 © Meyer Turku
The float out of MEIN SCHIFF 7 was done during the weekend at the Meyer Turku shipyard. MEIN SCHIFF 7 is over 300 metres long and has 15 decks. The ship's volume is 111,500 gt. The ship's 1,461 cabins can accommodate a total of 2,894 passengers and a crew of about a thousand people.
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