Going Green

HH Ferries’ 11,223gt/1991 built Tycho Brahe (above) is to be converted to an emissionfree ship. Swiss-based power and automation technology group ABB will equip this and the 10,918gt/1992 built Aurora af Helsingborg, with 4.16 MW batteries propulsion. The Oresund Dry Docks in Sweden are undertaking the work. The two ferries will operate completely on battery power between Helsingor (Denmark) and Helsingborg (Sweden), carrying more than 7.4 million passengers and 1.9 million vehicles annually. The dry-docking of the Tycho Brahe will begin in April and she will operate as a fully electric ferry once work is completed. The Aurora af Helsingborg will undergo the same process in October 2017. The project also includes the installation of four fully automated shore-side charging arms and these are currently under construction in ABB’s factories. At both ports, ABB will supply the first automated shore-side charging stations using an ABB industrial robot, to optimise the connection time and therefore maximise the charging period. The new battery solution is expected to decrease emissions across the fleet by 50% from the current diesel operated vessels. It takes more than a pair of AA batteries to operate a ferry and 640 batteries of 6.5 kWh will be installed on each ferry along with two deckhouses for transformers, converters and cooling of the batteries. Cables will run from the deckhouses to connecting points at each end of the ship, so that the batteries can be quickcharged. The battery power is equivalent to that of 70 Teslas (a brand of battery powered car). The SEK 300 million investment is cofinanced with SEK 120 million by INEA, the EU’s executive agency for innovation and network. Upon completion the Tycho Brahe will become the world’s largest emission-free ferry.

Grimaldi Grows

As from 3rd January a new twice weekly Ancona-Igoumenitsa-Patras freight/passenger service was launched under the Grimaldi name, replacing the previous Minoan Lines offering. Up to five weekly Ro-Ro sailings between Venice and Greece are offered as part of The Grimaldi Group’s Motorways of the Sea network. Venice is included in the Ancona-Igoumenitsa-Patras itinerary, performed on a daily basis by the Cruise Europa and Cruise Olympia. Departures from Venice are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2359, arriving the day after in Igoumenitsa and Patras, respectively at 0700 and 1300. From Patras, departures are Mondays and Tuesdays at 1900 and from Igoumenitsa on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 0100, arriving in Venice at 2030 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Grimaldi Euromed S.p.A., a Grimaldi Group company and owner of the 54,310gt/2008 built Cruise Europa and 54,310gt/2010 built Cruise Olympia, will directly manage the service while Minoan Lines, a subsidiary of the Group, will be the general agent in Greece as well as on board services partner. The new Grimaldi link is complimenting that already offered between these ports for Ro-Ro cargo by the 26,536gt/1997 built Eurocargo Trieste and 26,536gt/1998 built Eurocargo Patrasso. In addition, the Grimaldi Group offers a Ro-Ro service between Ravenna, Bari and Patras, three-times-a-week both ways. The changes leave Minoan Lines without its own Adriatic route after 35 years. Instead Minoan Lines (who previously chartered the Cruise Europa and Cruise Olympia from Grimaldi) will operate the 24,352gt/2001 built Festos Palace and 24,004gt/2000 built Knossos Palace on the Pireas-Iraklion route. On the up side, Minoan is looking to buy a further 40.4% stake in Hellenic Seaways (HSW) to add to the 48.4% already owned by Minoan Lines.

Newbuild Announced

On 20th December 2016 Brittany Ferries signed a letter of intent with the Flensburger Schiffbau shipyard (FSG) in Germany to construct a new ship powered by LNG. It will be one of the cleanest, most environmentally- friendly ships to operate in UK waters because LNG emits less carbon dioxide during combustion than marine fuel oil and burns with no smoke. In addition it is free of sulphur and is very low in nitrogen oxide emissions. The final contract for the 1,680 passenger and 257 cabin vessel is expected to be signed in spring 2017, following which construction will start. The newbuild is intended for delivery in 2019 on the Portsmouth-Caen service, joining the 35,586gt/2002 built Mont St. Michel. Upon delivery the 27,541gt/1992 built Normandie will transfer to the Portsmouth-Le Havre service in place of the 26,904gt/2008 built Visentini Class and Brittany Ferries “Economie” vessel Etretat. The 185m long new ship will have a 31m beam, 6.5m draught, a gross tonnage of 42,000, 2,600 lanemetres of vehicle capacity (130 freight trailers, or 550 cars and 64 freight trailers) and 5,200m2 of passenger spaces.

M.V. Balmoral Funds Needs You

On 12th January White Funnel Ltd. announced that it would continue the fund raising effort to allow the preserved passenger vessel Balmoral to sail for her 2017 season. However, a further .200,000 was still needed with a final deadline of 17th February. The funds were required for the ship to be made ready with dry docking and other maintenance issues, plus the vital business planning, crewing and marketing. The appeal had been well supported to 12th January, some .150,000 (including Gift Aid) being donated. In addition, a generous supporter, the late John James of Bath, had bequeathed around .150,000. But receipt of the latter money had been complicated by delays in completing a property sale. Pledges of money were being sought, that would only be called in when (and if) sufficient funds are secured. Loans were also being requested, which would be repaid immediately on receipt of the John James legacy. Helping and maintaining the cash flow is the highest priority.

Lifetime Season Sailing Tickets were made available for .3,000, guaranteeing the purchaser unlimited travel in all sea areas, sailing for life and for as long as the Balmoral sails under the auspices of MVBFL. The sum of each such ticket will only be spent subject to the Balmoral sailing in 2017. If the ship does not sail, then the full .3,000 will be repaid. To support the Balmoral now, please make a donation or a pledge or purchase a Lifetime Season Ticket. For all details see www.whitefunnel.co.uk/