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Aug 03
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Irish Ferries Parent ICG Agrees €1.2 Billion Management Buyout

By 2026 Newsletter week 31

Irish Continental Group (ICG), the parent company of Irish Ferries, has agreed to a recommended management buyout valuing the company at approximately €1.2 billion.

A consortium led by CEO Eamonn Rothwell and three other senior executives has offered €8.00 per share in cash, a 28.2% premium to ICG’s closing share price on 24 July.

The independent board has unanimously recommended the offer, saying it delivers compelling value for shareholders. Rothwell said private ownership would better support ICG’s long-term development in an increasingly competitive and uncertain market.

The transaction remains subject to shareholder, regulatory and Irish High Court approval. Completion is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Aug 03
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Finnlines Reports Stronger H1 Results Despite Volatile Market

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • Revenue increased to EUR 412.4 million (H1 2025: EUR 351.9 million).
  • EBIT rose to EUR 55.8 million (EUR 39.9 million).
  • EBT improved to EUR 51.2 million (EUR 33.8 million).
  • Transport volumes included:
  • 409,000 cargo units
  • 42,000 cars (excluding passengers’ cars)
  • 595,000 tonnes of non-unitised freight
  • 431,000 passengers and professional drivers

Finnlines says its investments in energy-efficient vessels, operational optimisation and the ability to use a diverse range of energy sources strengthened its resilience.

The company highlighted the impact of higher energy prices, geopolitical tensions and the 100% implementation of the EU ETS on operating costs during the first half of 2026.

CEO Thomas Doepel said the company’s strong financial position and long-term investment strategy helped deliver a solid performance despite a volatile operating environment.

Source: Finnlines, Financial Review January–June 2026.

https://www.finnlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/financial-review-q2_2026-eng.pdf

Aug 03
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Nordic Ferry Infrastructure Reports Stable 2025 Performance

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • Revenue remained stable at NOK 8.96 billion.
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased to NOK 2.79 billion from NOK 2.77 billion, with the adjusted EBITDA margin improving to 31.1% (30.9%).
  • The Group carried a record 26.7 million passengers, up 4.6% compared with 2024.
  • NFI operates 94 vessels on 54 routes across Norway, Denmark and Sweden, employing around 3,300 people.
  • During 2025, the Group delivered four new electric ferries and ordered three fully electric high-speed catamarans for the Kattegat route, described as the world’s largest high-speed ferry electrification project.
  • Other highlights included a 100% retention of existing concession contracts, the award of the Sandnessjøen–Herøy–Dønna contract in Norway, and DKK 180 million in public funding for the decarbonisation of the Kattegat route.

Click on the cover to access the PDF

Aug 03
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WALLENIUS SOL Acquires Two RoRo Vessels from Wagenborg

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • WALLENIUS SOL has acquired the RoRo vessels BALTICBORG and BOTHNIABORG from Royal Wagenborg, together with a long-term Contract of Affreightment (CoA) with Smurfit Westrock‘s kraftliner mill in Piteå, Sweden.
  • The acquisition expands WALLENIUS SOL’s fleet and strengthens its year-round RoRo services between the Bay of Bothnia and Northern Europe, including operations during the winter ice season.
  • Smurfit Westrock’s existing transport contract with Wagenborg will transfer to WALLENIUS SOL, ensuring continuity of service while the cargo flow will gradually be integrated into the company’s RoRo network and future newbuild programme.
  • The sale supports Wagenborg’s strategy to focus on its core ice-class general cargo shipping activities. The company has operated the vessels on the Smurfit Westrock service since 2004.
  • WALLENIUS SOL has already committed more than EUR 250 million to fleet investments and aims to operate on 100% renewable fuels by 2035.
Aug 03
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KiwiRail Secures 30-Year Contract for New Cook Strait Ferries

By 2026 Newsletter week 31

The New Zealand Government has confirmed that KiwiRail will operate the two new rail-enabled Cook Strait ferries, KUPE and COOK, for the next 30 years.

KiwiRail has operated the Interislander service for more than 60 years. CEO Peter Reidy said the decision reflects the company’s operational experience and strong recent performance. The operating arrangement will be reviewed after 10 years, in 2039.

Source: https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/media/kiwirail-welcomes-confirmation-it-will-operate-the-new-cook-strait-ferries/

Aug 03
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Baleària Expands Canary Islands Logistics Business

By 2026 Newsletter week 31

Baleària Canarias has acquired Transportes Intercanarios SA from the Armas family, strengthening its integrated maritime and land transport operations in the Canary Islands.

Founded in 1976, Transportes Intercanarios is a leading logistics company in the archipelago, providing freight transport and port services across Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The company employs around 60 people and operates a fleet of more than 500 vehicles and cargo units, including tractor units, semi-trailers, port machinery and refrigerated containers.

Baleària said the acquisition will allow it to better integrate its maritime and land transport activities, improving efficiency and service for customers in the Canary Islands.

Aug 03
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KRONPRINS FREDERIK Makes Final Voyage

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • KRONPRINS FREDERIK has completed its final voyage after 45 years of service.
  • The ferry sailed from Puttgarden to Esbjerg, where it will be handed over to Danish ship recycling company Smedegaarden A/S.
  • Built in 1981, the vessel initially operated for DSB on the Korsør–Nyborg route across the Great Belt until 1997.
  • It then joined Scandlines, serving first on the Rostock–Gedser route and most recently as a freight ferry between Puttgarden and Rødby.
  • The ferry was replaced in March 2026 by the new freight ferry THE BALTIC WHALE.
  • Scandlines had offered the vessel for sale, but no buyer was found, leading to the decision to recycle the ship at an EU-approved recycling facility.
Aug 03
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GOLDEN CARRIER Joins Trinidad & Tobago Cargo Sea Bridge

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • Trinidad & Tobago’s National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) has introduced GOLDEN CARRIER to the inter-island cargo sea bridge, replacing BLUE WAVE HARMONY while the latter undergoes scheduled maintenance and upgrades. The substitution is made under the existing charter agreement and at no additional cost.
  • A-Ships Management’s GOLDEN CARRIER offers a slightly higher freight capacity, with 1,950 lane metres compared with 1,925 lane metres, while maintaining the same 18.5-knot service speed.
  • Passenger capacity increases from 280 to 399, with 240 berths instead of 166, while cargo capabilities remain comparable.
  • The vessel began loaded sea trials on 26 July 2026.

Photo: Ioannis Arkoumanis

Aug 03
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ANEMOS Delivered to Seajets

By 2026 Newsletter week 31

On July 30, 2026, Cruise Ferry ANEMOS (ex-ROSELLA) was delivered to Seajets following her purchase from Aegean Sea Lines last June. The vessel arrived in Greece at the end of 2022 and served on the Piraeus–Serifos–Sifnos–Milos route. She is expected to operate on the Lavrion – North Aegean public routes after a small-scale refurbishment. Built in 1980 by Wärtsilä in Finland, the vessel can carry 1,500 passengers and 340 cars. Service speed is 19 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Aug 03
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World’s Largest Battery-Electric Ship Loaded for South America Voyage

By 2026 Newsletter week 31

Incat has completed the loading of Hull 096, the world’s largest battery-electric ship, onto the heavy-lift vessel BLACK MARLIN at Hobart, Tasmania. Following a complex semi-submersible loading operation, the vessel will now begin its journey to South America. The milestone marks another major step in the delivery of the pioneering zero-emission ferry, which has attracted global attention for its scale and innovative design.

Aug 03
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CLdN Introduces First Electric 4×4 Tugmaster in Zeebrugge

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • CLdN and Terberg have introduced the first fully electric 4×4 RT253EV Tugmaster into CLdN’s RoRo operations.
  • The vehicle entered service on 29 July at the Port of Zeebrugge.
  • It will initially be used to load and discharge CLdN vessels on the Zeebrugge–UK routes.
  • The RT253EV produces zero exhaust emissions, reduces noise levels and is designed specifically for demanding RoRo operations.
  • Its electric drivetrain includes regenerative braking, improving energy efficiency while reducing brake wear and maintenance.
  • During the initial phase, the electric Tugmaster will operate alongside CLdN’s existing diesel fleet as the company evaluates the performance of zero-emission terminal tractors in daily operations.

Source: https://www.terbergspecialvehicles.com/en/news/Terberg-and-CLdN-Launch-First-Electric-4by4-Tugmaster-into-CLdNs-RoRo-operations/

Aug 03
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Lerwick Harbour Expands Shore Power for NorthLink Ferries

By 2026 Newsletter week 31
  • Lerwick Harbour (Scotland) is expanding its shore power infrastructure at Holmsgarth Berth 3.
  • The project is being delivered in partnership with CMAL.
  • The new system will allow NorthLink passenger ferries to connect to the local electricity network while alongside.

Source: https://www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk/news/lerwick-harbour-expands-shore-power-infrastructure-for-northlink-vessels

Photo: Alexander Simpson

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