Shippax Newsletter– week 39

MEYER WERFT receives EUR 400 million lifeline from the German government

MEYER WERFT in Papenburg is receiving extensive support to secure its economic future. The federal government and the state of Lower Saxony are jointly acquiring around 80 per cent of the shares in MEYER WERFT and investing EUR 400 million. They are also planning to provide guarantees of around EUR 1 billion to finance existing firm orders in order to stabilise the company.

STAR PRINCESS launched in Monfalcone

The launch of STAR PRINCESS, the second LNG cruise ship that Fincantieri is building for Princess Cruises, took place at the Monfalcone shipyard. With a gross tonnage of approximately 178,000 gt, STAR PRINCESS is the sister ship to SUN PRINCESS, also built in Monfalcone and delivered earlier this year.

STAR PRINCESS is the second ship in Princess Cruises' Sphere class, with delivery expected in fall 2025. The new vessel will accommodate approximately 4,300 passengers and is based on a next-generation platform design.

Damen to deliver two fully electric ferries to City of Toronto

Damen has signed a contract with the City of Toronto in Canada for the delivery of two ferries. The fully electric vessels will provide a major boost to sustainability in the region. They will operate between the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in downtown Toronto and the Toronto Islands, a major tourist destination, located in a high traffic area close to the shores of Lake Ontario.

The ferries will be 50 metres long with a maximum beam of 13 metres. One of the vessels will transport passengers and vehicles, and the other passengers and bicycles.

Handover ceremony for MITSUI OCEAN FUJI to Mitsui Ocean Cruises

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that its group company MOL Cruise, Ltd. has held a handover ceremony of the 458-guest and 32,477 gt luxury cruise ship SEABOURN ODYSSEY operated by U.S.-based Seabourn Cruise Line Limited. in Yokohama with Seabourn Cruise. In December, Seabourn Odyssey will be reborn and enter service as the MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, featuring all-suite cabins.

Wallenius Lines acquires THULELAND and TUNDRALAND

Wallenius Lines has acquired the sister ships THULELAND and TUNDRALAND from Baltic Container Shipping Ltd. The acquisitions are a continued part of the company's strategy to grow through new construction of vessels and acquisition of existing vessels.

The vessels are already operated today in WALLENIUS SOL, which is owned by Wallenius Lines and Svenska Orient Linjen, with the aim of strengthening a sustainable infrastructure in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea. The vessels currently fly the Swedish flag and are under the management of Wallenius Marine, which they will continue to be. The vessels will be long-term chartered to WALLENIUS SOL.

Attica acquires high-speed catamaran THUNDER

Attica Holdings S.A. announced the completion of the acquisition, by a subsidiary of the Group, of the ro-pax high-speed vessel THUNDER from Fast Ferries for a cash consideration of EUR 17.75 million.

THUNDER, built in 1998, was fully refurbished in 2021 and has an overall length of 86.6 metres, width of 24 metres, and carrying capacity of 1,068 passengers and 215 private vehicles.

TS Laevad offers internet connectivity with Nowhere Networks

Port of Tallinn has chosen Swedish Nowhere Networks as a strategic supplier of radio-based, land-based broadband for its subsidiary, the Estonian shipping company TS Laevad OÜ, under the brand name of Praamid.ee. Starting this autumn, TS Laevad can offer fast quality broadband to customers travelling between the Islands of Hiiumaa, Muhu and Saaremaa on its vessels LEIGER, TIIU, TÖLL and PIRET.

FRS Baltic discontinues the route between Trelleborg and Sassnitz

FRS Baltic has announced that due to high costs they will discontinue the Trelleborg-Sassnitz route with the high-speed catamaran SKÅNE JET as of Monday, 30 September 2024.

“We are experiencing significant increases in almost all operational costs, which are putting high pressure on us, especially the fuel costs. In addition, significant new costs were added, such as the CO2 taxes introduced in 2024 and pilot fees in the port of Sassnitz," explained Moritz Bruns, Managing Director of FRS Baltic, in the press release.

Wallenius' Shippax Award-winning vessel FUTURE WAY christened in Germany

Wallenius Marine's new vessel FUTURE WAY, based on the innovative Sleipner design concept, was christened in Emden, Germany on 23 September. With an advanced hydro- and aerodynamic design, FUTURE WAY contributes to reducing emissions, energy use and environmental impact, and because of this, it was awarded a Shippax Award at the 2024 Shippax Ferry Conference.

This is the first of two car carriers that will go on charter for Volkswagen between Europe and North America.

The vessel's cargo capacity is equivalent to 6,500 cars, which are loaded and unloaded efficiently through the innovative centre ramp system consisting of a long ramp serving all decks.

Repsol supplies bio-LNG to Brittany Ferries for the first time in Spain

Repsol has started supplying liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG) to Brittany Ferries’ LNG-fuelled vessels SALAMANCA and SANTOÑA at the LNG-bunkering terminal in Santander (Spain). This is the first test of its kind for the two companies, consisting of the supply of three truckloads, totalling 60 tonnes of bio-LNG, and it is the first supply of its kind in Spain.

Complete makeover of Øresundslinjens AURORA

When the electric ferry, AURORA, is put into operation on 2 October after a stay in the shipyard, it is a ferry that is almost unrecognisable. The entire ferry has been given a makeover from top to bottom and has been equipped with, among other things, a completely newly renovated restaurant, where the concept is quality over quantity.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen are upsizing four car carriers on order to become the largest in the world

Wallenius Wilhelmsen has announced that four of the 12 Shaper Class car carriers currently on order with Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) will be increased in size from a car capacity of 9,300 to approximately 11,700. The vessels will thereby become the largest PCTCs to date in the world.

The first Shaper Class vessels will start being delivered from the second half of 2026, with the new upsized versions due for delivery beginning late 2027.

Anders Tenfält appointed as Stena Line’s Chief Investment Officer of Stena Line portfolio companies

As of 1 November 2024, Anders Tenfält will be Stena Line’s new Chief Investment Officer of Stena Line portfolio companies and part of the group management team. Anders Tenfält joined Stena in 2015 as Investment Manager at Stena Adactum and has since 2019 been the Chief Business Controller for the Stena AB Group.

Brittany Ferries’ SAINT-MALO out on sea trials

Brittany Ferries LNG-electric hybrid vessel SAINT-MALO has taken to the water. The E-Flexer is undertaking sea trials this week in the far east, ahead of her transit to Europe in November. Portsmouth will be her home from early next year. She will link Pompey with the eponymous Corsair town from which she takes her name.

SAINT-MALO will operate on LNG at sea and on electric power when manoeuvring, as well as when alongside in port, thanks to shoreside power. Battery capacity is 11.3 MWh.

Incat 096 reaches major milestone with structural completion

A significant milestone in the construction of Incat Hull 096 has been reached, as the final passenger deck module was lifted into place, signalling the structural completion of the vessel. The successful placement of the front superstructure, the largest and most technically challenging module Incat has ever lifted, is a pivotal moment in the journey toward launching the world’s largest electric ferry.

Hull 096 remains firmly on schedule for delivery in late 2025.

Sweden's first OPS for cruise ships inaugurated in Stockholm

Ports of Stockholm has taken an important step towards more sustainable shipping by inaugurating Sweden's first onshore power connection for cruise ships. The facility allows ships to connect to electricity at berth, reducing emissions and noise levels. The new facility was officially put into operation on 17 September when TUI Cruises’ new vessel MEIN SCHIFF 7 was connected.

CLdN claim CO2 efficiency leadership

CLdN published its fleet emission data for 2023. CLdN’s weighted average fleet emissions were 39g CO2/tonne-km. CLdN claim this is 19% better than their next-best performing short sea competitor (1) and more than twice as efficient as road transport by heavy goods vehicle (2). This directly benefits all CLdN customers and the supply chains they serve by reducing the scope 3 emissions of their cargo.

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to take part in the 2025 Shippax Ferry Conference, the 22nd annual onboard ferry conference organized by Shippax.

WHERE? Gotlandsbolaget's PEARL SEAWAYS (ship to be renamed)
ROUTE? Copenhagen-Oslo-Copenhagen
WHEN? 2-4 April 2025

THEME:
"Increased efficiency, standardisation and sustainability"

KEY PROGRAMME SESSIONS:
Ro-pax executive panel debates
Keynote speakers
New ships & projects
Ferry industry performance and megatrends
New technologies and inspirations
Opportunities of modular concepts on the road towards zero-emission ro-pax operations
Crewing and generation Z seafarers
Opportunities (and limits) of digitalisation for the ro-pax industry
Shipbrokers' talking table
Interferry update
Shippax Awards

BOOK EARLY, SEATS ARE LIMITED
Just as previous years, we expect to become sold out well ahead of the conference, so we strongly recommend booking early to secure a seat.

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