Shippax Weekly News Bulletin - 49
Headlines of news added to Shippax news site during week 49. For full text, visit www.shippax.com.
Please note that further news might be added to the web site during the course of the day.
For Shippax CFI subscribers, midships December is now available at the members area on the website.
Ferry LEIGER entered the Baltic Sea
TS Laevad OÜ's first newbuilding LEIGER has entered the Baltic Sea this morning. She was built at the Sefine Shipyard in Turkey, and passed the Kiel Canal last night.
Several USA-based companies get approval to offer cruises to Cuba
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) announced on December 7 that they have both received approval from the government of the Republic of Cuba to operate cruises to Cuba.
1,000 extra ferry crossing for FanøFærgen
The number of travelers on FanøFærgen has seen an explosive growth since off-season prices were decreased. For the same reason the route will now have significantly more departures.
Corsica Linea to open a line between Marseille and Mostaganem
Although neither rotations nor schedules are available, it was announced that the MEDITERRANEE, a 1989 built ferry with a capacity for 2,254 passengers, of which 1,836 in cabins, and 800 cars, will be allocated to this line until September 2017, when the DANIELLE CASANOVA, a 2002 built ferry with a capacity for 2,204 passengers, of which 1,884 in cabins and some 700 cars, will take over, at least until June 2018.
Is it the end for Croisières de France?
French travel website Tour Hebdo reports that Croisières de France (CDF) will close its Paris office at the end of February.
Bigger ships and more cruise passengers to Malmö
Copenhagen Malmö Port, CMP, has been given the green light by the Maritime Administration to accommodate cruise ships in Malmö that are longer than 240 metres.
LA PAZ STAR sold to Mediterranean investors
Mexican Baja Ferries have sold their LA PAZ STAR. This well-known vessel was built in 1978 by Hyundai Shipbuilders & Heavy Industries, Ulsan, South Korea.
Canberra harmonises cruise emissions laws
Controversial New South Wales state regulation of cruise ship air pollution in Sydney Harbour has now been adopted by Australia’s national government.
Interislander ferries back in full service
KiwiRail’s Interisland Line has finally been able to resume full Cook Strait road, rail and passenger services for the first time since a 7.8 magnitude earthquake damaged terminals at Wellington and Picton on November 14.
NZ’s Strait Shipping sold
New Zealand Cook Strait ferry operator Strait Shipping has been acquired from the Barker family by investment funds manager CHAMP Private Equity for an undisclosed price.
Minoan Lines' ever improving results
Minoan Lines continues along its path to strengthening financial performance, lifting net profits for the first nine months of 2016 to €24.4m an increase of €6.8m on the corresponding 2015 period.
Another strike by seafarers destroys the reputation of Greek ports
The confrontation between Greek seafarers and the government in the shape of Shipping and Island Policy minister, Panagiotis Kouroumblis is taking on a new dimension as seafarers December 8 announced a fourth extension of the 48-hour stoppage, which had already kept Greek passenger ships tied up for week, while bringing activity in Piraeus port to a virtual halt.
Rebranding for La Méridionale
Corsica Linea's independent ferry partner La Méridionale has started to change the ship liveries. The first one to appear in the new colours is the GIROLATA.
HANSEATIC to stay longer in Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' fleet
The expedition cruise vessel HANSEATIC will remain in the fleet until the end of September 2018, which is six months more than planned.
JEAN NICOLI breaks record
Corsica Linea's ro-pax JEAN NICOLI is the first vessel of 200m long to pass the southern port entrance (close to the old port and city) to berth alongside the GPMM terminal "Bassin de la Grande Joliette", also known as "Poste 78" in front of the "Terrasses".
She did on Monday December 5.
Italian Government selects a solution for Venice
The 'Tresse Nuovo' project submitted by Venice Municipality and Venice Port Authority to sort out the intricate affair of restriction enforced on over 40,000 GT cruiseships across San Marco and Giudecca canals has been selected by the Italian Government altogether with €2 million financing.
Moby teams up with St. Peter Line for Baltic operations
After many rumours Moby Lines announced they officially sealed a joint-venture with Russian group St. Peter Line, operating mini-cruises in the Baltic, from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, Stockholm and Tallinn.
Jadrolinja hits the eleven million passenger mark
On December 2 Jadrolinja set a new record, with the 11 millionth passenger crossing on one of Croatia's public company's numerous ferries.
Norled considers to connect Florida and Cuba with day cruises
Given relevant permits on commercially satisfying conditions, Norled has the intention to start a regular day cruise connection between Key West, Florida and Havana, confirms Deputy CEO Lars Jacob Engelsen in a press release.
Crystal-clear Christmas wishes
Rönner Group from Bremerhaven have sent Christmas wishes and a Christmas tree to their colleagues in Wismar.
Fjord Line on the market for a new ship
Fjord Line won the tender announced by Sandefjord municipality concerning the interesting 07:00 departures to Strömstad, and the 13:30, which are now both used by competitor Color Line, and which will be used by Fjord Line as from 2020.
Video of naming ceremony AUTO ECO released
Shippax was present at the naming of the World's largest LNG-powered PCTC in Zeebrugge on November 21.
Three Italian crewmembers died in a tank accident
Three sailors were killed and another one was seriously intoxicated during maintenance works in the bilges of Italian ferry SANSOVINO (Caronte & Tourist), in Messina.
SEABOURN OVATION to be delivered in spring 2018
The keel laying ceremony of SEABOURN OVATION, the second of two ultra-luxury cruise ships that Fincantieri is building for Seabourn Cruise Line, took place today, in the presence of the Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti, at the Sestri Ponente (Genoa) shipyard.
More oranges for Shikoku
Saijo-based Shikoku Kaihatsu Ferry (Orange Ferry) ordered two 15,000 GT car ferries from Imabari Shipbuilding.
The two ferries are expected to enter service in summer of 2018.
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