Ferry Shipping News & Ferry Shipping Summit

FRS expands its presence on the Rhine by taking over the historic Loreley Ferry Line, a connection with over 500 years of history between Sankt Goar and Sankt Goarshausen. This marks the second acquisition in the region within a short period, further solidifying FRS’s commitment to the Rhine and the Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage area. The Loreley Ferry, an integral part of the region’s infrastructure and cultural identity, will continue its operations seamlessly under the leadership of its current Managing Director, Simon Lanius, alongside FRS. All employees will be retained, ensuring continuity and reliability.

Irish Ferries new service, Dublin - Pembroke, will be commencing today Monday 6th January with the 20.30 departure from Dublin. The service is related to the temporary closure of Holyhead.   The schedule for this daily roundtrip is as follows;   Depart Dublin 20:30 Arrive Pembroke 04:00   Depart Pembroke 06:00 Arrive Dublin 13:30   Crossing time 7.5 hours

ANEK Lines’ KRITI I and KRITI II Laid Up at Elefsis ANEK Lines’ legendary pair of ferries, KRITI I (ex-New Suzuran, 1979) and KRITI II (ex-New Yukari, 1979), have been laid up in Elefsis Bay as of October 7, 2024, and November 2, 2024, respectively. This marks the probable conclusion of their remarkable service careers within the Greek ferry scene. Both vessels were purchased from Japan in 1996 and were the largest RoPax ferries to serve the Adriatic routes. They were initially deployed on the Patras–Igoumenitsa–Ancona route in June 1997. Over the years, they also operated on the Patras–Igoumenitsa–Corfu–Venice and Patras–Igoumenitsa–Trieste routes. KRITI I was chartered to GNV from 2017 to 2019 before being laid up. KRITI II remained more active in domestic ferry services, primarily operating on the Piraeus–Heraklion route, with a brief stint in 2009 on the Piraeus–Chios–Mytilene–Lemnos–Thessaloniki line. Renowned for their efficiency, both ferries boasted an impressive loading capacity of 2,200 lane metres. Built in Japan in 1979, they had a passenger capacity of 1,600 and could accommodate 800 cars, sailing at speeds of up to 21 knots. After 28 years of distinguished service in Hellenic coastal shipping, reports suggest that the two ships may soon be sold for scrap. Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos Text: Spyridon Roussos

Agoudimos Lines’ PENELOPE A Sold for Scrap After 12 years of lay-up in Elefsis Bay, the iconic PENELOPE A (ex-HORSA, 1972) of Agoudimos Lines has been sold for scrap. This legendary former Sealink vessel was purchased in February 1992 and deployed on the Rafina–Andros–Tinos–Mykonos route in the summer of that same year. PENELOPE A served this line until 1999, when she was acquired by the ambitious Hellenic Flying Dolphins. For the next five years, she also connected Rafina with Paros, Naxos, Schinoussa, Koufonissia, Heraklia, and Amorgos. In 2004, Agoudimos Lines bought her back and redeployed her on the same routes. However, in 2013, Agoudimos Lines collapsed, and the ship was laid up at the port of Rafina. By June 2014, she was towed to Elefsis Bay, where she remained until her recent sale. PENELOPE A was the third vessel of a trio of sister ships (APOLLO EXPRESS, ex-Senlac, and AGIOS GEORGIOS, ex-Hengist) that played a vital role in the Greek ferry scene. These vessels significantly contributed to the development of Greece’s ferry system. Built in France in 1972, PENELOPE A had a carrying capacity of 1,200 passengers and 220 cars and could sail at a speed of 19.5 knots. Photos: Kostas Papadopoulos (drone) and Mike Louagie (archive) Words: Spyros Roussos Something you will appreciate Justin Merrigan.

Following the storm damage in December that temporarily closed Holyhead Port, the Port of Milford Haven has been working on solutions to increase ferry capacity. From 7th January 2025, the port will accommodate a third daily sailing from Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal on a temporary basis. Irish Ferries' ISLE OF INNISFREE will join the existing twice-daily service operated by JAMES JOYCE. While the ISLE OF INNISFREE’s departure time will depend on other traffic movements, the port aims to schedule departures at 0600 where possible. Archive photo ISLE OF INNISFREE in Calais © Mike Louagie

Fred Olsen Express' newest ship, BARLOVENTO EXPRESS, began operations this Sunday, 29 December, connecting Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with Morro Jable in Fuerteventura. The inaugural journey departed at 5 p.m. from Gran Canaria's capital. This high-speed ferry, which has a capacity of 866 passengers, 271 vehicles, and dedicated spaces for pets, brings the Fred. Olsen Express fleet total to 13 vessels. Builder: Incat (Hull 058)   Year Built: 2003   Previous Names: CIUDAD DE CEUTA (Trasmediterranea), VITTORIO M (Liberty Lines)

The new Public Service Obligation (OSP*) contracts for the Spanish enclave of Melilla are bringing changes to maritime routes starting 1 January 2025. Grupo Armas Trasmediterránea 1. Awarded the Almería-Melilla and Motril-Melilla OSP contracts. 2. Using the RoPax VOLCÁN DE TIMANFAYA. 3. Operating 3 weekly rotations per route. 4. Additional rotations during Christmas, Easter, summer holidays, and periods of high demand. 5. Discontinuing its historic Málaga-Melilla route. 6. Annual OSP contract value: €9.234 million. Baleària 1. Awarded the Málaga-Melilla OSP contract. 2. Using the RoPax RUSADIR. 3. Operating 6 weekly rotations. 4. Withdrawing from the Almería-Melilla and Motril-Melilla routes. 5. Annual OSP contract value: €10.44 million. None of the three routes will face competition, which users perceive as a potential threat. *OSP (Obligación de Servicio Público) is for two years but can be extended.

With the recent delivery of GREAT COTONOU, the sixth and final state-of-the-art G5-class ro-ro multipurpose vessel, the Grimaldi fleet is now complete. Boasting innovative technology, a 250-metre length, and a customised configuration, GREAT COTONOU offers: 4,700 linear metres of rolling freight capacity. 2,500 CEU (Car Equivalent Units). 2,000 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units). Environmentally advanced, this vessel reduces CO2 emissions by up to 43% per tonne transported compared to other ro-ro multipurpose ships. Additionally, it’s equipped for cold ironing, enabling greener port stays. In January 2025, GREAT COTONOU will inaugurate Grimaldi's new China-West Africa service, connecting China to Lagos (Nigeria) with a monthly frequency. This service will facilitate rolling cargo and container shipments from China to West Africa and Brazil via Grimaldi's PTML terminal in Lagos. Grimaldi Group KNUD E. HANSEN

Tallink Silja Oy has signed a contract with Slaapschepen Public BV, an organisation nominated by Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers (COA), to continue chartering the company’s vessel SILJA EUROPA to the Netherlands for six months starting from 1 January 2025 (with an option to extend the contract for an additional 7 + 6 + 6 months). SILJA EUROPA has been chartered to the Netherlands since August 2022 to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. Photo: Tallink Silja - Marko Stampehl

Boxing Day 2002: The Port Oostende was bustling with activity, marking a significant recovery following the end of the State-owned ferry service RMT in 1997. In this photo, a record number of ferries are seen gathered together—a testament to the port's resilience and adaptability. However, the vibrant ferry scene would later face challenges, with Ferryways ceasing operations in 2009 and Transeuropa Ferries following in 2014. The port has changed quite considerably, with wind farming ships and PCTC's as main visitors. Photo: Mike Louagie