Industry News
Scandlines to Order New Ships
Nov 22, 2009
From ShipPax Info
Scandlines expects that the bottom of the recession has been reached and they aim to sign a contract this year for two new ferries for the Gedser - Rostock route between Denmark and Germany. Delivery is anticipated before the summer of 2012.
The recession has hit the volumes at Scandlines and the long awaited order for the two ferries has been delayed. However, the economic crisis has also reduced the newbuilding prices. The ferries, originally expected to cost EUR 100 million each, are now being negotiated with the shortlisted yards and lower prices are anticipated.
The new ferries will have a capacity of 460 cars or 90 trailers each. When the expected Fehmarn Belt bridge is eventually inaugurated, the new pair will have settled on the Gedser - Rostock route with minimum capital costs, and thus be very competitive with the fixed link. Their advantage will be enhanced by the compulsory resting times for lorry drivers.
Indonesian Ferry Sinks
Nov 22, 2009
From GMTA News
Rescuers saved more than 240 people aboard an Indonesian passenger ferry, the Dumai Express 10, that sank Sunday in rough waters off Sumatra Island, but at least 25 people have died, officials said. The ship had a capacity of 273 but it was unclear how many were aboard.
The ferry sank in stormy weather 90 minutes into the trip in western Indonesia about 900 kilometers northwest of Jakarta. Huge waves hit its bow and water started seeping in, according to a report from the ship's captain. In a separate accident Sunday, the Dumai Express 15 with 278 people on board ran aground but no one was hurt.
The vast country spans more than 17,000 islands, and boats are a popular and relatively cheap form of transportation. In January, some 230 people went missing after their ferry capsized in a cyclone off the coast of western Sulawesi. In December 2006, a crowded ferry broke apart and sank in the Java Sea during a violent storm, killing more than 400 people.
Ferry Sinks in Myanmar
Nov 20, 2009
From Press TV
At least 50 people are feared drowned after a packed ferry collided with an oil barge in southern Myanmar. The vessel, named the Naywintun (Rising Sun) was carrying nearly 180 passengers to the towns of Pathein and Thetkelthaung late Sunday when it sank in the Ngawun river in the southern Irrawaddy Delta.
"The boat sank after colliding with an oil barge. We have recovered 34 bodies and there are at least another 16 people missing who are believed to have drowned," a local official said.
Regulations on Marine Noise?
Nov 14, 2009
From Lloyd’s List
Shipping could face more environmental legislation in the future as its impact on marine wildlife through noise comes under scrutiny. Experts say the impact of ship-generated noise that spreads through the water could be the next big environmental challenge as it is thought to affect a range of marine animals. The main issue is that man-made underwater noise has been on the increase. Experts say it has led to whale and dolphin strandings and a long-term impact on animal behaviour such as changes to migration or breeding patterns.
One of the vessel types under particular scrutiny is the high-speed ferry, particularly in the Mediterranean. According to environmentalists a ferry could generate up to 190 db at 40 hz just through propeller noise. Fish and baleen whales could be adversely affected as they can hear that noise — their threshold volume is around 140 db.
Chile to Tender Ferry System
Nov 13, 2009
From Baird Maritime
The Public Works Ministry of Chile will launch a tender to concession a ferry system next year. The concession contract is worth approximately US$500 million. It calls for a ferry system to serve the Puerto Eden-Isla Navarino network and will also include the maintenance, operation and management of the ferry system for an undetermined period of time. An official from the ministry said that a more exact figure would be set after technical and feasibility studies have been conducted. The ferry system will be used to transport cargo and passengers. It is part of the ministry’s southern connectivity plan.
Interferry Member News Release
Nov 10, 2009
Austal opens new Modular Manufacturing Facility at its US shipyard in Alabama.
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Editor’s Note: We are trying something new at the Interferry News. For a trial period we will be publishing one line summaries of members’ news releases with a link to the full release. If you wish to participate please send us a one line summary of your release with a link to the full release. Of course the Interferry News will continue publishing short summaries of news events of general interest to our world-wide membership. We invite feedback on the usefulness of this service.
Ferry Safety in the Far East
Nov 6, 2009
From Lloyd’s List
China Ferry Collision
A passenger ferry collided with a sand barge in Panyu, Southern China yesterday evening leaving two passengers dead and nine injured. The 1993-built San Bu, with 75 passengers and nine crew members onboard, sailed from Hong Kong to Panyu on November 5. The ship collided with a sand barge near to its destination of Lian Hua Shan Port. The conveyor belt of the sand vessel pierced the cabin of the vessel. Two passengers onboard the ferry, both Dutch nationals, were confirmed dead, and nine passengers including two Hong Kong residents sustained injuries.
Canada Waives Imported Ship Duty
Nov 4, 2009
From Lloyd’s List
Canada’s federal Department of Finance has announced a proposal to waive the payment of a 25% customs duty on imported cargo vessels and ferries of more than 129 m loa. The duty applies to ships active in both the domestic and ocean trades and the announcement has been welcomed by the shipping industry. The duty was put in place three decades ago, ostensibly to encourage carriers to order newbuildings from domestic shipyards, but these yards have been unable to build vessels at competitive prices compared with Asian and European yards. It is proposed that a remission order be put in place to remit the customs duties paid or payable on or after January 1, 2010. Interested parties have been invited to submit their views in writing by December 11 to the international trade policy division at the Department of Finance. [Ships from the US and Mexico can already enter Canada duty-free under NAFTA.]
Another Cat for Venezuela
Nov 1, 2009
From ShipPax Information
As Stena's HSS Discovery completed a delivery voyage from the UK to Caracas-headquartered Albamar, another Venezuelan operator has made a fast craft purchase. Consolidada de Ferrys CA is buying Tallink Autoexpress 2. The 82 metre Austal Auto Express catamaran built in 1997 was originally in Poland-Sweden service as BOOMDERANG. It is powered by MTU engines and can carry 700 passengers and 175 cars.
The 1997-built HSS Discovery with capacity for 1,500 passengers and 375 cars is expected to enter service between Vargas and Nueva Esparta in December. Stena will provide technical support through its Northern Marine subsidiary. The new owner, Albamar, is still talking of introducing a second HSS 1500 during 2010.
Another Successful Interferry Conference
Oct 26, 2009
Istanbul
Delegates at trade association Interferry’s 34th annual conference have been warned that the ferry sector is under particular threat from financial and environmental pressures on the shipping industry.
More than 230 senior executives in Istanbul heard that raising finance and lowering air emissions would pose unique challenges for ferry operators in the wake of global economic meltdown and global warming.
Critical legal issues - notably the risk of corporate manslaughter charges - also came under the spotlight, but the potential for boom rather than gloom dominated other sessions focusing on new market opportunities, money-making IT applications and the Interferry/IMO joint initiative to boost ferry safety in developing nations.
Surviving financial meltdown
The knock-on effects of the credit crisis will make it especially tough for ferry companies to fund new tonnage because they rarely rank as core clients, said Richard Jansen, global head of cruise and ferry at US-based ship finance leader DVB Bank.