Ferry Operator News

Brittany Ferries Extends Contract with Portsmouth

U.K.'s Portsmouth International Port's relationship with major European ferry operator, Brittany Ferries, has been strengthened following the announcement of an additional five years to a joint long-term agreement.This means Brittany Ferries is committed to Portsmouth until the end of 2031, during which time a further three ships will join the current fleet serving routes from the city. Alongside the Honfleur, Brittany Ferries' state-of-the-art environmentally friendly ship powered by Liquid Natural Gas (LNG)…

AKA, MAN Collaborate for LNG-Powered Ferry

Aspin Kemp and Associates Inc. (AKA) and MAN Energy Solutions (MAN) are working together on the delivery of the propulsion package for 1+1 230-meter-long RoPax vessel for TT-Line, a German ferry operator. The vessel is to be built at Jiangsu Jingling shipyard in China. The MAN/AKA power and propulsion package includes eight MAN 51/60DF dual fuel engines, propellers and gearboxes, a fuel-gas supply system and HyProp ECO – a hybrid propulsion system. The newbuild TT-Line ferry will have the capacity for 800 passengers and over 200 articulated trucks.

Cancelled Ferry Contracts Renew Push for Grayling's Resignation

Britain's transport minister was under fresh pressure to resign after the government stacked up a 50 million pound ($65 million) loss for cancelling contracts to charter extra ferries to bring in essential supplies in the event of a no-deal Brexit.The decision to award the contracts has been a major political embarrassment after it emerged the government handed out a 14 million pound contract for extra ferries to a company that owned no ferries and published terms and conditions on its website that appeared to be for a takeaway food business.Then…

DFDS and Port of Felixstowe Boost Ro-Ro Capacity

United Kingdom's Port of Felixstowe and Danish ferry operator, DFDS, have agreed to increase roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) capacity at the UK port by over 40%.The decision has come about after investment in a new linkspan, tractor units and additional trailer parking facilities.As part of the investments, terminal operator Hutchison Ports has planned to replace one of the existing ro-ro bridges with a floating linkspan which is capable of handling the latest generation of ro-ro vessels.Additionally…

UK Defends Brexit Ferry Contract to Inexperienced Ferry Operator

Britain's transport minister has defended awarding a 14 million-pound ($18 million) contract for shipping goods after Brexit to a new ferry company that owns no ships.The government last week awarded three contracts to charter extra ferries to ease congestion if the United Kingdom fails to secure a trade deal before leaving the European Union in March.The smallest contract was won by Seaborne Freight, a British business that has never previously operated a ferry route, raising concern about whether the new service would be ready."I make no apologies for supporting a new British business…

Wärtsilä Automated Shipping Tests Successful

Finnish technology group Wärtsilä conducted a successful round of tests on its automated dock-to-dock solution. The system was tested on ‘Folgefonn’ ferry, which visited all three ports serviced by the vessel, with the autonomous operation being utilised uninterrupted for the entire route.Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) was present during the test. Joonas Makkonen, Vice President, Voyage Solutions, Wärtsilä said: "This represents a huge step forward in validating automated shipping solutions…

Interferry Names New Chairman and Board Members

Interferry, the trade association representing the worldwide ferry industry, has announced that the new chairman of its board of directors is John Steen-Mikkelsen, CEO of Danish ferry operator Danske Faerger.Steen-Mikkelsen was elected together with three new board members at the annual general meeting held last week in Cancun, Mexico, during the association’s 43rd annual conference.The Interferry board is drawn from all types of large and small ferry operations - including ro-pax, ro-ro, cruise ferries, fast ferries and passenger-only ferries - as well as industry suppliers.

DFDS Sells Two Ships to Ukrferry

Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS is to sell two of its older vessels to Ukraine-based ferry operator Ukrferry. "DFDS has entered into an agreement with Ukrferry to sell two combined freight and passenger ferries, Kaunas Seaways and Vilnius Seaways built in 1989 and 1987 respectively. Delivery of the ferries is expected in July," said a press statement from the company. The ferries have been on time charter to Ukrferry for several years for deployment on routes in the Black Sea. The ferries were previously deployed in DFDS' Baltic route network.

Ferry Vessel Dagestan Completes Modernization

The vessel "Dagestan" with a length of 154.5 and a width of 18.3 meters was built in 1984 in Pula, the former Yugoslavia (currently Croatia). It was decided to repair and upgrade the ferry "Dagestan", withdrawn from operations 5 years ago. Modernization of the ferry, which is one of the unique vessels of its time, was completely executed by the engineering and technical personnel of the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company at the "Zigh" Ship Repair and Construction Yard. It should be noted that the project of modernization…

More MTU Engines Destined for Majestic Ferry in Singapore

Rolls-Royce is to supply more MTU engines to fast ferry operator Majestic Ferry in Singapore. Designed by Incat Crowther, a total of seven new fast ferries are being built at PT Cahaya shipyard in Batam, Indonesia over the next two years. Rolls-Royce is to supply 14 MTU engines for them by 2019. Each of the twin-hulled vessels is to be powered by two MTU 16V 2000 M72 units. “The determining factor for this follow-on order is the positive experience the operator has had with MTU engines and with our service,” said Chew Xiang Yu, a member of marine sales staff at MTU Asia.

Gas Natural Fenosa, Baleària Sign LNG Bunkering Deal

Spanish liquefied natural gas (LNG) operator Gas Natural Fenosa signed an exclusive 10-year LNG supply deal with Spanish ferry operator Baleària. According to the company release, the supply contract will initially apply to the ports of Barcelona, Valencia and Algeciras, then extended to all the peninsular ports operated by the shipping company together with the entire new fleet powered by this fuel committed to using LNG as an ecological fuel. The president of Baleària, Adolfo Utor…

Damen Inks Deal for Three Ferries

At the Europort 2017 exhibition in Rotterdam, Damen Shipyards Group and Belgian ferry operator Aqualiner signed a contract for the delivery of three more Damen Waterbus 2407 vessels, for operations on the Scheldt in Antwerp. At the signing were Gerbrand Schutten (CEO Aqualiner), Maurice Swets (CEO Aqualiner), Dimitri Romijn (CFO Aqualiner), Arnout Damen (CCO Damen) and Jelle Meindertsma (Sales Manager Damen). The Waterbus 2407 is a new composite design from Damen, first unveiled just over a year ago.

All Aboard for $59m Ferries Project

Steel construction company REIDsteel has completed its phase of works on landmark passenger facilities as part of a £45 million ($59 million) ferry terminal revamp in Portsmouth, U.K. The 130-strong firm was contracted for the project at Gunwharf for ferry operator Wightlink through Southampton-based engineering, procurement and construction contractor Trant Engineering. REIDsteel, based in Dorset, U.K., designed, supplied and erected all steelwork, cladding, external windows and external doors for a two-storey car marshalling deck and a new customer experience building for passengers.

Fjellstrand's Rolls Out Environmental Ferry

Norwegian ship yard Fjellstrand AS has signed a contract with Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1 for the building of a new ZeroCatTM 120 car ferry. Fjellstrand was also responsible for building the car ferry MF Ampere which wrote history in 2015 as the world’s first full electrical ferry. The yard had a central position in the introduction of new battery technology in the ferry market. The new ferry is a further development of the MF Ampere and will be equipped for higher speed and longer range.

Marseille Fos to Cut Dues for Eco-friendly Ships

Marseille Fos has joined the World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI) and is now set to reduce port dues for ships performing better than required under air pollution regulations. From July 1 this year the incentive will apply to eligible ships among the 236 container carriers and cruise vessels – a 60/40 percent split – that call at the port. Other sectors will be added in 2018. The WPCI features the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), which scores atmospheric pollution on a zero to 100 scale. Currently only around 50 ports worldwide offer reduced call charges based on the ESI.

Stena Line Says Sustainability Goals Paying Off

“Our belief is that a reduced environmental impact is also essential for long-term profitability,” said Stena Line's CEO, Niclas Mårtensson. Stena Line, a ferry operator serving Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the U.K., said its increased strategic focus on sustainability and environmental improvements over recent years is paying off. Through the years Stena Line’s experience in investing in energy efficiency transport has been extensive. An example: the launch of the world's first methanol-powered ferry, Stena Germanica, in 2015.

Stena Line Extends Ferries Maintenance Contract

Swedish ferry operator Stena Line has renewed its planned maintenance agreement with MacGregor, part of Cargotec. Stena Line has held MacGregor Onboard Care (MOC) agreements since 2008 and its latest contract takes the number of RoRo vessels covered to 39. "Our preventative and planned service products, such as MOCs, make it easier to schedule services; they guarantee that parts are in place and they are very cost-effective for the customer. They take a lot of the stress out of managing the huge service requirements for large fleets…

Three Maritime Leaders Receive United Seamen's Awards

Arthur E. Imperatore, Founder and President of New York Waterways; Captain Donald Marcus, International President of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots; and Christopher Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping, were recipients of the maritime industry's most prestigious Admiral of the Ocean Sea awards presented at the 47th annual United Seamen's Service gala industry dinner and dance October 28, 2016. The event was held at the at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City.

Seatruck CEO Sees Big Potential for Port of Heysham

IRISH SEA freight  ferry operator Seatruck says the opening of the new £124.5 million ($150.0mln)  Bay Gateway relief road in Lancaster, is the biggest commercial opportunity for the Port of Heysham in its history. Seatruck CEO Alistair Eagles said the opening, on October 31, is the long awaited ‘big bang’ moment for the Port of Heysham. He said it unleashes the port’s potential to win more Irish Sea tonnage from hauliers who no longer have to wrestle with congestion between the M6, Lancaster and the Heysham peninsula. “This is the moment we have campaigned and worked years for,” he said.

Effects of Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link on Commodity Flows, Economic Development

Experts of politics and industry engaged in a lively discussion on 21 September 2016 during the Fehmarnbelt Days in Hamburg’s HafenCity University. The panel discussion, which was organised by Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM) as a partner in the EU Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme project TENTacle, was dominated by one question: What effects will the Fehmarnbelt fixed link have on intermodal freight flows between Northern Germany and Scandinavia? Yet all were unanimous on one point: The tunnel is coming.

Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award Recipients Named

The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2016 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented to Arthur E. Imperatore, Founder and President of New York Waterways; Donald Marcus, President of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots; and Christopher Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO of American Bureau of Shipping. The maritime industry's most prestigious awards will be presented at the 47th annual gala industry dinner and dance at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, on October 28, 2016.

Fourth Damen Fast Ferry for S. Korea

Damen Shipyards Group has sold a Fast Ferry 4212 to South Korean ferry operator DAEA Express Shipping. The vessel, named Sea Flower, is the fourth ferry of this design that Damen has sold in the last five years to companies operating on the east coast of the Korean peninsula. With the contract for construction between Damen and DAEA signed in January 2016, the Sea Flower was handed over on 22 April during a ceremony in the vessel’s home port of Hupo. The ceremony was attended…

First Shippers Sign on Rolls-Royce Autonomous Ship Project

The Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative (AAWA) project, led by Rolls-Royce, introduced the project’s first commercial ship operators: ferry operator Finferries and dry bulk cargo carriers ESL Shipping Oy. The announcement came at a conference presenting the findings of the initiative’s first year of research at Helsinki’s Finlandia Hall last week. The AAWA project brings together universities, ship designers, equipment manufacturers and classification societies to explore the economic…

18 New Ferries Needed for New NYC Ferry Service

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the Citywide Ferry Service is on track to launch in 2017, with the selection of Hornblower, Inc. as its operator. The new service, which will include up to 20 boats and connect 21 New York City eighborhoods for the price of a single subway ride ($2.75) is scheduled to be fully operational by 2018, and is estimated to carry 4.6 million trips per year across six routes. “For the price of a single subway ride, tens-of-thousands of New Yorkers are going to have a new public transit option linking them to jobs…

Nearly 100 Rescued after Batam Ferry Hits Trouble

Almost 100 people were rescued when a ferry sailing toward Singapore from the Indonesian island of Batam hit a floating object and reportedly started to sink, maritime officials said. Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said it received a report last night that Indonesia-registered ferry 'Sea Prince' had hit a floating object after leaving Batam, one of the popular resort islands about 40 minute ride from Singapore. It said at the time of the incident, the ferry was in Indonesian waters and heading towards Singapore with 90 passengers and seven crew members.

North P&I Club Names de Groot Vice Chairman

North P&I Club has appointed Job de Groot of Van Oord as its new vice chairman, succeeding Lars Christensen of Norden, who stood down from the role as well as from the club’s board at the directors’ meeting on November 5. de Groot first joined North as a director in 2006 and continues to serve on its group risk and audit committees. He is also a director of North’s fishing and aquaculture subsidiary Sunderland Marine. de Groot currently heads the legal and contracts department at Rotterdam-based Van Oord…