Shippax Newsletter– week 50
Just released - Shippax Designs 23
Shippax Designs is our annual publication presenting all newbuilt or converted ferries, cruise liners and ro-ro vessels.
This issue covers the 1 January, 2022 - 30 June, 2023 period. All vessels delivered during the period are included, although some may have a little less data.
Theme vessel in this issue: Finnlines' FINNSIRIUS
Ferries:
A GALEOTTA, ALEKSANDR DEYEV, ALTERA, AOI, CAP DE BARBARIA, EXPRESS 5, FERRY TAKACHIHO, FREY, GENERAL SANTOS, HAYABUSA II, HELLA, INSULA OYA III, LADY SAMOA IV, LITE FERRY SIX, MA LISHA, MANXMAN, MOBY FANTASY, MYSTAR, NEW TAIMA, NILS HOLGERSSON, P&O PIONEER, RUSADIR (HONFLEUR), SANTA MONICA 1, STENA ESTELLE, STOKKAFJORD, SUNFLOWER KURENAI, WANTAS RORO
Cruise:
DISNEY WISH, EMERALD AZZURRA, EVRIMA, MSC WORLD EUROPA, NORWEGIAN PRIMA, SEABOURN VENTURE, SH DIANA, VISTA
Ro-ro:
ADRIATIC, BORE WAY, BOTNIA ENABLER, CANOPEE, EXPRESO DEL PLATA I, FINNECO I, GREAT ANTWERP, JASMINE LEADER, JFE HAKURYU, KYOWA EAGLE, RYUKYU EXPRESS 7, SHIN TANEGASHIMA, SHUN LONG HAI, SHURI, TEKIRDAG 59, YONEMARU
Stena Line to launch new Dublin to Birkenhead (Liverpool) freight route
Dublin Port
Following P&O Ferries closure of its Dublin-Liverpool service, Stena Line has now confirmed its plans to launch a new freight service on this route starting mid-February 2024. The new service will initially operate with one ship departing Dublin early in the morning and making the return journey from Birkenhead in the evening.
Stena Line already operates from Dublin Port and Birkenhead, and this new service will complement the existing routes from Dublin to Holyhead and Belfast to Liverpool. The company is currently assessing ship deployment options for the service.
Scandlines to convert two Fehmarn Belt ferries to fully electric operations
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN © Frank Lose
Scandlines announced that the two 1997-built Fehmarn Belt ferries SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN and DEUTSCHLAND will be converted to operate fully electric by 2025. On average, the 10 MWh batteries of the ferries will be charged in just 12 minutes with at least 80 percent of the energy needed for a crossing.
Data on Scandlines' electrification project:
Electrification of two of the four passenger ferries operating the Puttgarden-Rødby route
Service speed: 18.5 knots
On-board energy storage system: 10 MWh on both ferries
Charging in port (Puttgarden and Rødby): 12 minutes
Investment: EUR 31 million
Baleària launches LNG-powered high-speed catamaran MARGARITA SALAS
MARGARITA SALAS © Balearia
Baleària has launched the high-speed catamaran MARGARITA SALAS at the Armon Shipyard in Gijón. This is the shipping company's second fast ferry equipped with dual gas engines. It is a near sister to the 2021-delivered ELEANOR ROOSEVELT but with a 10% increase in the vessel's power and the addition of a second passenger deck. Baleària has invested EUR 126m in the construction of the MARGARITA SALAS, which will commence operations next summer.
The Estonian administration launches a tender for the fifth Saaremaa and Hiiumaa ferry
Following a tender design in 2022, the Estonian administration has appointed Finnish shipdesign house Deltamarin to work on a new ferry concept for Saaremaa to Hiiumaa service.
WSDOT issues RFI for WSF’s five new hybrid-electric Olympic-class ferries
SUQUAMISH © WSF
Washington State Ferries (WSF) five new hybrid-electric Olympic-class ferries could be built outside of Washington state, as the Washington State Department of Transport (WSDOT) accelerates its ferry electrification programme. In the first week of December, WSDOT issued a Request for Information (RFI) to shipyards across the whole of the US as part of its efforts to contract the first two new ferries. Responses to the RFI are due in January 2024, and will provide critical information for the Information for Bid, which will be issued in spring of 2024, with the newbuilding contract/s being issued at the end of 2024.
Getlink to enable the doubling of direct high speed rail services from the UK over the next 10 years via the Channel Tunnel
This doubling will be achieved by reducing the "time to market" from 10 to 5 years for operators who intend to launch new services between London and Cologne, London and Frankfurt, London and Geneva, London and Zurich.
On 6 May 2024, Eurotunnel, a wholly owned subsidiary of Getlink, will celebrate 30 years since the opening of the Channel Tunnel and the introduction of the first LeShuttle and LeShuttle Freight rail services linking Folkestone (Kent)to Coquelles (Pas-de-Calais). This year will also mark the 30th anniversary of the first direct rail links between London and Paris, and London and Brussels.
DFDS strategy update until 2030 and November volumes
DFDS concept for two new methanol powered ro-paxes for the Amsterdam - Newcastle route
DFDS’ strategy and financial ambitions have been updated as the Win23 strategy period, 2018-2023, comes to an end. Highlights: Organic growth focus to unlock value from expanded network and green transition ambition of six new green ferries on the water by 2030. Financial ambitions 2024-2026: Increase ROIC to above 10%, annual Adjusted Free Cash Flow of minimum DKK 1.5bn, Financial leverage, NIBD/EBITDA, of 2.5x by 2026. November freight volumes were down 2% and passengers up 4%.
Sefine Shipyard launched PIETRO MONDELLO for Caronte & Tourist
PIETRO MONDELLO © Sefine Shipyard
The 134-metre PIETRO MONDELLO for Caronte & Tourist was launched at the Sefine Shipyard. PIETRO MONDELLO is a near sister to the 2018-delivered ELIO, but with a number of technical changes, one being the addition of a 2 MWh battery pack.
Both vessels are designed by LMG Marin and have a capacity for 1,500 passengers and 290 cars.
Just as ELIO, PIETRO MONDELLO is intended for the Messina Strait between Messina and Villa San Giovanni.
Torghatten Nord signs contract with Remontowa Shipbuilding for hybrid double-ender
Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A has signed a contract with Torghatten Nord AS to construct a 63.65-metre hybrid-powered passenger-car ferry for the Stornes-Bjørnerå connection. The ferry will be built based on a design developed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company AS, supported in the scope of workshop documentation by Remontowa Marine Design & Consulting of the Remontowa Holding group. Delivery is planned for the first quarter of 2026.
One year with MYSTAR: 1.8 million passengers carried and over four times travelled around the globe
BALTIC QUEEN and MYSTAR © Frank Lose
Tallink Grupp’s shuttle ferry MYSTAR just celebrated one year from the start of operation on the company’s Tallinn-Helsinki shuttle service route. In its first year, MYSTAR has made over 2,100 departures, totalling approximately 93,000 nautical miles which is approximately 4.3 trips around the globe, and she has carried nearly 1.8 million passengers.
SEAGARD handed over to new owner Smyril Line
SEAGARD © Bore
SEAGARD was handed over on 12 December from Bore to Smyril Line. The vessel, now renamed GLYVURSNES, will go into regular service between Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, Þórlakshöfn in Iceland and Hirtshals in Denmark.
GLYVURSNES was built originally to Bror Husell Chartering at J.J. Sietas shipyard in 1999 and has been chartered by Transfennica since then. During her many years in Transfennica service, she has been a regular visitor in Finland, Germany and UK.
Smyril Line now own all six vessels in its fleet.
Interferry Regulatory Report • FuelEU Maritime and HSC & Light Craft Code
In this regulatory update, Interferry Regulatory Affairs Director Johan Roos draws attention to the pending FuelEU Maritime initiative – which might as well be interpreted as the EU fuel standard and a precursor of a global fuel standard. Indirectly connected to reducing the carbon content of energy used on board, he also addresses the transition from a High-Speed Craft Code (HSC Code) to a High Speed & Light Craft Code, something that is high on the association’s 2024 agenda.
The second Superstar class vessel delivered to Finnlines
FINNCANOPUS © Finnlines
Finnlines took delivery of FINNCANOPUS, the second of two Superstar class ro-pax vessels, at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China, on 12 December 2023. The vessel will enter Finnlines’ line between Finland and Sweden (Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär).
The homeward voyage is expected to take 6–7 weeks as FINNCANOPUS will be nearly fully loaded with freight and will call several ports before entering the Baltic Sea. FINNCANOPUS is scheduled to begin service in February 2024.
ABB and Wallenius Marine open the first OVERSEA Fleet Support Center to provide centralized services
ABB and Wallenius Marine have opened the doors of the first OVERSEA Fleet Support Center, a major milestone in their collaborative strategy to help shipping companies improve environmental, technical and voyage performance. One of the maritime industry’s first digital and fleet support centers to be developed as a service, OVERSEA provides recommendations to help vessels, across all types and fleet sizes, achieve measurable performance improvements, leading to reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
Keel laying in Monfalcone of STAR PRINCESS
STAR PRINCESS keel laying © Fincantieri
The keel laying of the STAR PRINCESS took place in Monfalcone. She is the second Sphere Class vessel for Princess Cruises, a brand within Carnival Corporation; the first is SUN PRINCESS. Both cruise ships are dual fuel, primarily powered by LNG.
STAR PRINCESS will accommodate 4,300 guests and, like SUN PRINCESS, is based on a next generation platform design. SUN PRINCESS will be delivered in 1Q 2024 while STAR PRINCESS in 2025.
Four additional Island Class vessels to be purchased by BC Ferries
ISLAND DISCOVERY © BC Ferries
Following the major capital expenditure approval by the BC Ferries Commissioner, BC Ferries is able to take the next step towards the purchase of four new hybrid electric Island Class vessels that will increase capacity for passengers across the ferry system.
By 2027, the four new vessels will enter service on the routes connecting Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island (two vessels) and Campbell River and Quadra Island (two vessels), with corresponding electrical upgrades for shore-based rapid charging made to the four terminals on these routes.
Cemre Shipyard launched battery operated HINNØY for Torghatten Nord
HINNØY © The Norwegian Ship Design Company
Turkey’s Cemre Shipyard launched NB 1091, a battery operated ferry for Norway’s Torghatten Nord AS. Designed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company, the 117m double-ender HINNØY will be able to carry 399 passengers and 120 vehicles on the route Bognes-Lødingen in northern Norway.
The 9.2 MWh batteries will provide a crossing time of one hour, at a speed of 13-14 knots.
Stena Line expects more Swedish and Danish travellers across the Kattegat in 2024
STENA JUTLANDICA © Stena Line
Stena Line reports on a rising booking situation from Swedish and Danish travellers for the period January to April 2024. On the company's two lines between Denmark and Sweden, 26% more Swedes and 28% more Danes are expected to travel in the coming quarters, compared to this year. To meet the increasing demand, Stena Line is now developing its booking system to improve the customer journey from start to finish.
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Stena Line to increase cargo capacity by 30% on STENA FORERUNNER and STENA FORETELLER
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A third Öresundslinjen ferry to become fully electric
May 07 2024
Finnlines adopts graphene-based hard foul release hull coating across its ro-ro and ro-pax fleet
May 07 2024
Finnlines’ financial review January–March 2024
May 10 2024
DFDS Q1 report and April volumes
May 10 2024
Shippax Guide 24 - out now!
May 06 2024
One of the world’s largest biofuel plants is planned in Malmö
May 17 2024
DFDS to Invest EUR 1 billion in battery electric ships for the Channel
May 17 2024
