Ferry Shipping News & Ferry Shipping Summit

CLdN welcomes CHAUMINE to the fleet! CLdN has taken delivery of CHAUMINE, the first of two next-generation RoRo vessels built by HD Hyundai Mipo Co., Ltd. At 234 metres long and boasting a capacity of 8,000 lane metres, CHAUMINE features an IMO Tier III-compliant hybrid propulsion system. With 11MW main engines and 6MW shaft generators, the vessel can optimise propulsion or power onboard systems as needed – a step forward in operational flexibility and energy efficiency. Sister ship LEONINE is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2025. Both vessels are set to operate on CLdN’s Northwest Europe routes, responding to growing freight demand between the continent and the UK, particularly Scotland and North East England. Built with the future in mind, the vessels can be modified to run on alternative low-emission fuels, fuel cells, or batteries. Port of Antwerp-Bruges Port of Rotterdam Dublin Port #FerryShippingSummit #roro #ferry

Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries to Replace Ageing Cook Strait Ferry with STENA LIVIA Bluebridge has announced the acquisition of a new vessel to replace its ageing ferry STRAIT FERONIA, marking a significant upgrade for its Cook Strait operations. The new ship, currently sailing as STENA LIVIA for Stena Line between Germany and Latvia, will join the Bluebridge fleet in July. Built in 2008, STENA LIVIA will replace the 28-year-old STRAIT FERONIA, which first launched in 1997. StraitNZ chief executive Shane McMahon said “We are familiar with the vessel type (a Visentini-built) and know it is well suited to work on Cook Strait,” McMahon said. “When we set out to find a suitable vessel replacement a few months ago, we wanted to be able to provide more freight and passenger capacity—and the LIVIA delivers both.” The new ship will boost vehicle capacity by 10% and significantly increase passenger space, especially following modifications during a dry dock period in Europe. It is expected to enter service towards the end of the year, following a name change and final preparations. Bluebridge currently operates the STRAIT FERONIA and CONNEMARA ferries on the Cook Strait route. Photo: Stena Line

On 18 March 2025, Unity Line delivered its RoPax WOLIN to the Athens-based A-Ships Management. The vessel has been renamed GOLDEN CARRIER and is expected to depart from the Port of Świnoujście on 20 March. Originally built in Norway in 1986 as a pure train/cargo ferry for SweFerry, she initially operated on the Helsingborg–Copenhagen route under DanLink as the ØRESUND. In July 2000, she was reassigned to the Copenhagen–Malmö route operated by Scandlines. A year later, in 2001, she was sold to Sea Containers and sent to Landskrona/Remontowa shipyard (Gdańsk) for conversion into a RoPax ferry, a process completed in 2002.   Following her conversion, she was chartered to SeaWind Line, renamed SKY WIND, and deployed on the Stockholm–Långnäs–Turku line until August 2007. She was then sold to Unity Line and operated on the Świnoujście–Trelleborg route as WOLIN until 31 January 2025.   The ship is expected to arrive in Greece in early April, where she will undergo minor modifications before entering service on the Adriatic route in June. GOLDEN CARRIER has a capacity for 370 passengers and 1,770 lane metres, with a service speed of 18 knots. Photo: A-Ships Management

Stena Line and Norsepower have signed an agreement for the installation of two Norsepower Rotor Sails™ on STENA CONNECTA, Stena Line’s brand-new methanol-hybrid RoRo ferry. *️⃣ This partnership marks another step in Stena Line’s ambition to reduce CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030. *️⃣ Two 28x4 metre Norsepower Rotor Sails™. *️⃣ Up to 9% fuel savings on the vessel’s planned route. *️⃣ Ferry is scheduled for delivery from Stena RoRo in Q4 2025 *️⃣ Irish Sea, Belfast-Heysham, where wind conditions are highly favourable for wind-assisted propulsion.

CMAL Selects Lead Bidder for 7 New Loch-Class Electric Ferries   Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has identified Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Poland, as the lead bidder for a contract to build seven new loch-class fully electric ferries. The contract is expected to be awarded following a 10-day standstill period.   The Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP) will deliver these seven vessels in its first phase, with an additional three to follow in phase two through a separate procurement process later this year. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2027.   These electric ferries will strengthen the resilience of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network, enhancing service reliability and reducing carbon emissions. The procurement process involved a thorough evaluation, with bids assessed based on technical (65%) and financial (35%) criteria by marine experts and CMAL specialists. Remontowa emerged as the top-scoring bidder.   Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, welcomed the milestone, highlighting the vessels' role in improving island connectivity and contributing to Scotland’s sustainable transport goals.   Kevin Hobbs, CEO of CMAL, reaffirmed the commitment to selecting a proven shipyard that offers both quality and value, citing Remontowa’s track record, including the ferry FINLAGGAN delivered in 2011.   Duncan Mackison, CEO of CalMac Ferries Limited, emphasised the importance of these new vessels, stating that alongside the six major vessels arriving in 2025-2026, they represent a renewal of one-third of CalMac’s fleet. Rendering: navalue GmbH - Custom Ferry Design & Consultancy, who have worked with CMAL to develop the vessel concept design. Congratulations!

Gotlandsbolaget: A Year of Growth and Strategic Expansion in 2024   Gotlandsbolaget has reported strong results for 2024, marking a year of strategic expansion and financial stability. Total revenue reached SEK 2.62 billion, up from SEK 2.37 billion in 2023, reflecting the company's continued growth. The adjusted operating profit increased to SEK 218 million, driven by a solid performance in Gotland traffic.   A major milestone was the acquisition of the Oslo-Copenhagen route from DFDS, which expanded Gotlandsbolaget’s footprint in the passenger shipping sector. The transition included the integration of around 800 employees and the addition of the cruise ferries Nordic Pearl and Nordic Crown (formerly Pearl Seaways and Crown Seaways). The rebranding of the route to Go Nordic Cruiseline is set for 2025.   Sustainability remains at the core of Gotlandsbolaget’s strategy. In 2024, the company announced an investment in a biogas plant, securing volumes of fossil-free fuel for the Gotland traffic. Additionally, Gotlandsbolaget ordered the Gotland Horizon X, a next-generation high-speed catamaran designed for future carbon-neutral operations.   While the transition of the Oslo-Copenhagen route incurred start-up costs, the company remains financially solid, with an equity ratio of 82%. Investments in fleet modernisation and environmental sustainability will position Gotlandsbolaget for continued success in the coming years.   With strategic decisions shaping its future, Gotlandsbolaget is reinforcing its position as a leading force in Scandinavian ferry and cruise operations.

Brittany Ferries: A Stabilised Return to Growth in 2024 Brittany Ferries has reported strong operational results for 2024, confirming its stabilised return to growth. The company’s consolidated revenue (excluding Condor Ferries) reached €516 million, marking a 6.5% increase from 2023. The passenger sector continues its steady recovery, with nearly 2 million passengers transported, a 6.5% rise compared to the previous year. Growth was particularly strong on the Channel routes. Freight volumes also increased by 4%, with the Spanish and Irish routes leading the way at +8.3%. Despite the introduction of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which added an €8 million cost in 2024, Brittany Ferries maintains solid operational profitability. The company has also significantly reduced its Covid-related debt, fulfilling commitments to repay regional loans and progressing towards a 50% reduction in its state-guaranteed loan by the end of 2025. Strategic decisions taken over the past decade, particularly the development of long-haul routes to Spain and Ireland, now contribute nearly half of Brittany Ferries' total revenue. These results reinforce the company’s leadership in sustainable maritime transport, as it continues investing in fleet decarbonisation and innovation. Brittany Ferries’ resilience is further reflected in the confidence of new private investors and the unwavering support of its historical shareholders. With the introduction of Europe’s two largest hybrid ferries in 2024, the company remains at the forefront of innovation in the maritime sector. Photo: Brittany Ferries

The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of ECO NAPOLI, the last of 14 hybrid Grimaldi Green 5th Generation (GG5G) ro-ro vessels from Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing, China. Flying the Italian flag, ECO NAPOLI measures 238 metres in length, with a beam of 34 metres and a gross tonnage of 67,311. She can accommodate 7,800 linear metres of rolling freight, equivalent to around 500 trailers and 180 cars—twice the capacity of the previous generation without increasing fuel consumption. This is achieved through advanced technological solutions that optimise energy efficiency, resulting in halved CO₂ emissions per transported unit. Equipped with state-of-the-art electronically controlled engines and an exhaust gas cleaning system, the vessel minimises sulphur and particulate emissions. In port, she operates with zero emissions using mega lithium batteries (5 MWh), recharged during navigation via shaft generators and 350 m² of solar panels. "With the arrival of ECO NAPOLI, the GG5G fleet is finally complete: fourteen hybrid ro-ro units that have revolutionised short-sea transport in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe," said Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of Grimaldi Group. The ECO NAPOLI is expected to arrive in the Mediterranean in early May and will reinforce the Gemlik–Ambarli–Patras–Trieste route, further enhancing Grimaldi’s commitment to sustainable and efficient maritime transport. KNUD E. HANSEN

Stena Vinga has arrived in Portsmouth International Port for its charter to DFDS , for the Jersey service, starting 28 March.

DFDS has revealed some renderings of its new ferries for Jersey, offering a glimpse into the future of the island’s maritime connections. The designs, presented at a recent public meeting, highlight the company’s investment in modern, efficient vessels to enhance service reliability and capacity. As reported by Bailiwick Express, DFDS is balancing fleet renewal with its pricing strategy, ensuring both competitiveness and service improvements. These new vessels could significantly enhance connectivity for passengers and freight alike. Read more (Bailiwick Express): https://lnkd.in/ebsEwU7D