Shippax Newsletter– week 35

The latest issue of our magazine, Shippax Info, has been sent to the printers and will arrive online during the day to read for our subscribers.

Content in this issue:

Beyond Corsica: how La Méridionale faces challenges in 2025
The rejuvenation of the scottish ferry fleets
Profile: PolSca Baltic Ferries
Interview: Piotr Redmerski - President of Polish Baltic Shipping
Just delivered: STENA FUTURA
Ro-ro on order

More Details Revealed On Molslinjen’s Groundbreaking New Electric Catamarans

The construction of Molslinjen's new electric giant catamarans is now underway at the Incat shipyard in Tasmania. The yard has also revealed design proposals for the fully electric vessels – and they promise to be both impressive and powerful. The two ferries - and probably also a third ferry before the turn of the year 2027-2028 will be responsible for a green transition and replace the diesel-powered catamarans for the route between Jutland and Zealand.

Oceanbird Unveils World’s First Full-Scale Rigid Wing Sail – Wing 560

Oceanbird marked a milestone in the decarbonisation of global shipping with the official launch of its first full-scale rigid wing sail, the Wing 560. Standing 40 metres high and 14 metres wide, the sail was inaugurated at Oresund DryDocks in Landskrona in the presence of Sweden's Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson.

David Wallgren new Business Unit Manager for Hogia Ports & Shipping

Hogia has appointed David Wallgren as the new Managing Director of Hogia Ferry Systems and Business Unit Manager for its newly established transport sector, Ports & Shipping. He joins from the DFDS Group, bringing over 25 years of experience in port and shipping operations. In his new role, he will lead the development of the sector, which develops IT solutions for terminal and shipping operations."

NatPower Launches GBP 1 Billion Teesside GigaPark to Power UK’s Largest Battery Storage and Port Electrification Project

NatPower UK has announced plans for the Teesside GigaPark, a landmark GBP 1 billion clean energy project at Wilton International in Redcar. In partnership with Sembcorp Utilities (UK) Limited, the development will deliver one of the largest and longest-duration battery energy storage systems in the UK−a 1 GW facility capable of storing up to 8 GWh of renewable energy.

Nearly 165,000 Travelled with BIRKA GOTLAND During the Summer

Almost 165,000 travellers chose the Baltic Sea's only dedicated cruise ship, BIRKA GOTLAND, during June, July, and August 2025. Compared to summer 2024, 6,000 more visited Visby, while families with children on board increased by 27 per cent.

Irish Continental Group Half-Year Profits Surge Despite Port Disruption and Rising Green Costs

Irish Continental Group (ICG) reported revenues of EUR 309.9 million for the six months to 30 June, up 8.5% on last year. EBITDA rose 10.5% to EUR 54.9 million, while operating profit jumped 41% to EUR 24.6 million. Profit before tax climbed 40% to EUR 20.5 million.

Car traffic was hit by disruption at Holyhead Port, which closed in December 2024 before partially reopening in January. Car volumes fell 4.4% to 264,900, though roll-on/roll-off freight increased 2.2% to 393,300 units.

Grimaldi Group Takes Delivery of Ammonia-Ready Car Carrier GRANDE SHANGHAI

Grimaldi Group took delivery of the GRANDE SHANGHAI, the first of ten next-generation PCTC units commissioned from China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu. Of these, the first five units can carry 9,000 CEU's, while the following five will offer an even higher capacity of up to 9,800 CEU.

Following the GRANDE TIANJIN, delivered in early August, the GRANDE SHANGHAI is the second Ammonia Ready unit in the Grimaldi fleet. This technological gem combines high cargo capacity with eco-sustainability, reducing fuel consumption by 50% compared to previous-generation car carriers.

Color Group Reports Slightly Weakened Six-Month Results

Color Group achieved operating revenues of close to NOK 2.9 billion in the first half of 2025, which was NOK 30 million lower than in 2024. Profit before ordinary depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the period was NOK 255 million, compared to NOK 389 million in 2024 (The result for the first half of 2024 included a one-off gain of NOK 45 million as a result of the ONS Ship Finance transaction). During the first half of the year, the company carried just under 1.6 million passengers and about 76,000 freight units (12-m equivalents).

New Rønne Port Design Challenges Ferries

The new design of the Port of Rønne challenges the conventional ferries. This is shown by the simulations that Bornholmslinjen has carried out together with the Port of Rønne and Niras. The simulations show that HAMMERSHUS can no longer safely sail in and out of the port in winds of up to 23 metres per second in certain wind directions – instead, the limit should be 18 metres per second, the report recommends.

Viking Line To Boost Biogas Use – Will Provide Option Of Fossil-Free Maritime Transport On All Routes

For the first time, Viking Line's passengers and cargo customers will all have the opportunity to travel fossil-free since the company is significantly increasing its use of biofuel. Viking Line has been working in collaboration with the energy company Gasum for a number of years to develop the market for biofuel.

This autumn, Viking Line will increase its purchases of renewable biofuel (bio liquefied natural gas or bio-LNG) sixfold, which means purchasing European biogas equivalent to VIKING GLORY's total fuel consumption. The biofuel will be consumed on the Turku–Stockholm route by VIKING GLORY and VIKING GRACE. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) will also be used as a complement.

The Grimaldi Group on the Port of Trieste: "More competition is an opportunity for Italy and Europe"

Grimaldi Group statement: In response to recent articles in the press concerning the potential threat to Trieste's status as a "model port," the Grimaldi Group firmly rejects the statements reported by Shipmag and attributed to Samer, claiming that "the Italian Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport and the Port System Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea are ordering DFDS to make room for Grimaldi vessels."

DFDS Expand Baltic Ferry Services Through Space Charter Agreement With TT-Line

DFDS and TT Line have entered into a space charter agreement on three ferry routes in the Baltic Sea. With the agreement, DFDS will increase the number of sailings offered between Klaipeda and Karlshamn, as well as bring new services to Trelleborg and Travemünde.

Key facts on the space charter agreement

When will the agreement take effect operationally?

October 1st for freight on all routes and passengers on the Karlshamn routes

November 1st for Trelleborg passengers

How many sailings will be offered?

Up to 18 weekly sailings on Klaipeda – Karlshamn.
Up to 5 weekly sailings on Klaipeda – Trelleborg.
Up to 6 weekly sailings on Klaipeda – Travemünde (freight only)

Baleària finalises the agreement to acquire Armas Trasmediterránea

Baleària has reached an agreement with the owners of Armas Trasmediterránea to acquire its business in the Canary Islands and Alboran Sea, as well as part of the Strait of Gibraltar, the majority of which has been acquired by DFDS. The deal, which is still pending approval from the Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), includes the management of 15 ships and the operation of a number of maritime routes, as well as the integration of 1,500 shore and fleet employees.

Separately, Armas Trasmediterránea has signed an agreement in July for the sale of the vessel FORTUNY to Liberty Lines.

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