CLdN launches new services between Rotterdam and Ireland and expands capacity between Rotterdam and the UK

By | 2024 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

CLdN has chartered two 962 TEU LoLo cargo vessels (Pavo J and Andromeda J) that will ship container cargo between the recently acquired Distriport terminal in Rotterdam and Dublin and Cork.

The introduction of the new LoLo services will also enable an optimisation of CLdN’s RoRo fleet deployment, thereby increasing capacity on the routes between Rotterdam and the UK.

The two additional weekly LoLo sailings complement the three RoRo sailings operated by CLdN each week to and from Dublin. These RoRo services will continue to operate from CLdN’s RoRo terminal in Rotterdam.

The LoLo service to Cork complements the existing RoRo service operated by CLdN from its Zeebrugge terminal.

The new services will be operational as from the week commencing 18th March.

Read more in the press release.

The Grimaldi Group has already sold five ships since the beginning of this year

By | 2024 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

In less than three months in 2024, the Grimaldi Group has emerged as a seller of five ships as part of a broader plan for fleet modernization and the phase-out of its most aged vessels.

The Naples-based company recently signed an agreement with Fred Olsen to sell the 24-year-old sister ships, Finnhawk and Finnkraft. These vessels, built in China at Jinling Shipyard and controlled by the subsidiary Finnlines, are expected to fetch between EUR 25 and 30 million en bloc.

Additionally, it has been revealed that Grimaldi is selling the RoRo ship Ciudad de Alcudia (formerly Euroferry Egnazia) to United Marine Egypt (Ume), with delivery scheduled before the next summer. This ferry, built in 1994, boasts a capacity of 550 passengers and 3,200 lane meters.

Earlier this year, the Italian group also sold the RoRo unit Eurocargo Sicilia to Balearia. (photo copyright © Thomas P. Illes / thilles consulting GmbH)

Furthermore, the same buyer will acquire the RoPax Ciudad de Mahon, both of which will be transferred from Grimaldi to the Spanish competitor through a bareboat charter with a purchase obligation.

Moby Vinci and Sharden transferred to Grandi Navi Veloci and renamed GNV Sirio and GNV Auriga

By | 2024 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

Moby Vinci and Sharden have been transferred from the control of Onorato’s Moby to Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), a company owned by the MSC Group, as anticipated. The transaction, valued at EUR 109 million, marks the conclusion of the broader restructuring plan for Moby. This restructuring was recently finalized with a EUR 352 million loan provided by Gianluigi Aponte, the founder of MSC.

Following the transfer, Moby Vinci and Sharden will be renamed GNV Sirio and GNV Auriga, respectively. They are slated to operate on the Genoa – Palermo regular route and the Genoa – Porto Torres service.

With these additions, Grandi Navi Veloci’s fleet now comprises 28 ships serving 31 routes across 7 different countries.

Photo: GNV

European Shipowners’ priorities 2024-2029

By | 2024 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

Ahead of the 2024 European elections, ECSA launches its policy priorities for the next five years. The four pillars are Climate and energy transition, People-centred green and digital transition, Ship Finance and Competitiveness and Trade.

Europe is facing an existential transformation as it strives to meet climate neutrality by 2050 while maintaining industrial leadership at global level.

European shipping has been a cornerstone of Europe’s energy, food, and supply chain security. European shipping, representing 39.5% of the world fleet, enables Europe to play a leading role in the international supply chains. Shipping delivers the goods and energy we need, supports EU exports and connects European citizens within Europe and with the rest of the world.

To ensure European shipping continues to play a strategic role for the security of Europe, the ECSA Priorities 2024-2029 put forward policy recommendations along four key pillars:

  • Climate and energy transition
  • People-centred green and digital transition
  • Ship Finance and Competitiveness
  • Trade

Read the ECSA Priorities 2024-2029 here.
Download the ECSA Priorities 2024-2029 here.

Badji Mokhtar III arrived at Elefsis shipyards (Onex Group) for refit

By | 2024 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

On February 26, 2024, Algerie Ferries’ Badji Mokhtar III (2021) arrived at the Greek Elefsis Shipyards (ONEX Group) for her general overhaul. A few days prior, her fleet mate Tariq Ibn Zyad (1995) also arrived at the Greek yards for the same reason. Both vessels mark the first Algerian ships to enter a Greek Shipyard following a recent agreement signed between the ONEX Group and the state shipping company of the Republic of Algeria, ENTMV (Entreprise Nationale de Transport Maritime de Voyageurs).

Photo: Anastasios Anastasiou

Dionysis Theodoratos appointed deputy CEO for Attica S.A.024

By | 2024 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

Attica S.A. announced the appointment of Mr Dionysis Theodoratos as Deputy CEO with effect from 1 March 2024.

Mr. Theodoratos has over 30 years of experience in sales and marketing. He joined Attica Group in 1996 and since then he has contributed substantially to the dynamic course and growth of the Group.

Since 2016 he has held the position of Executive Director of Commercial Operations of Attica Group. He is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Group’s subsidiaries and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN).

Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö: Historically high volumes in 2024

By | 2024 Newsletter week 09 | No Comments

Historically high levels for both passenger and freight operations in both the Gulf of Finland and the Åland Sea.

Full Year 2023 (compared to 2022)

+20% passengers 3,140,221 (2,624,674)

+11% freight units 176,351 (159,228)

+19% turnover EUR 221.5 million (EUR 185.8 million).

+Operating result 21,4 MEUR (-8,4 MEUR)

+Result 11,5 MEUR (-12,7 MEUR)

Q4, 2023 (compared to Q4, 2022)

+4% passengers 656,622 (629 473)

+12% freight units 44,795 (39,987)

+6% turnover EUR 48.7 million (EUR 46.0 million)

+Operating result 0,9 MEUR (-13,4 MEUR)

+Result 0,2 MEUR (-13,7 MEUR).

Source (in Swedish): rederiabeckero.ax PDF

Photo: Eckeröline

HAV Design contracted to design autonomous zero-emission ferries, to be built at Tersan

By | 2024 Newsletter week 09 | No Comments

Norway-based HAV Design has signed a contract to design and develop four newbuild, autonomous zero-emission ferries that will operate the Lavik-Oppedal crossing on the northwest coast of Norway.

Under the contract, HAV Design will deliver ship design and an engineering package for all four autonomous ferries. The ship design is based on a future-oriented operating concept that ferry operator Fjord1 has developed together with HAV Design. The ferries will be able to operate with autonomous navigation and a high degree of automation of vessel functions that replace manual operations on board.

Lavik–Oppedal is a ferry route that crosses the Sognefjord, on the northwest coast of Norway, from Lavik in Høyanger municipality to Ytre Oppedal in Gulen municipality. The ferry crossing takes 20 minutes, and the route is 5.6 kilometres long.

Four newbuild zero emission ferries will operate the route from 1 September 2026 onwards.

The vessels will be built at Tersan Shipyard in Turkey which is HAV Design’s contract partner for the four newbuilds.