Marine Link
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Roro News

08 Mar 2024

Gram Car Carriers Refinances Viking Adventure

(Photo: Gram Car Carriers)

Norwegian shipowner Gram Car Carriers announced it has refinanced the Viking Adventure with an undisclosed Japanese bank.The new $41 million loan has a duration matching the vessels current charter ending in mid-2028 and a margin of SOFR +1.73%. This compares a margin of SOFR +4.26% under the previous lease financing which was repaid earlier this year, the company said.“We are pleased to welcome one of the premier banks in Japan in our banking group as we optimize our capital structure and cost base to maximize profit and shareholder returns.

08 Mar 2024

MOL Installs Wind Measurement Device on RoRo Vessel in Fuel Savings Trial

(Credit: MOL)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has installed a long-range wind condition measurement device on one of its RoRo vessels in a trial that aims to reduce fuel consumption and contribute to safe operations.MOL partnered with Metro Weather for a demonstration of Doppler LiDAR on Musashi Maru RoRO vessel on the route between Tokyo and Fukuoka.This is the first time in the world that a Doppler LiDAR has been installed on a large seagoing vessel, according to MOL.Using the Doppler LiDAR, MOL and Metro Weather will monitor real-time wind 3D conditions more than 10 km away from Musashi Maru.In addition


21 Feb 2024

ARC Keeps the Cargo Rolling

Flags on M/V ARC Defender.
Image courtesy ARC

With a fleet of nine U.S.-flag RoRo ships, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group (ARC), is the U.S.’ premier commercial RoRo carrier of U.S. government and military cargo. As the world becomes an increasingly contentious place, Eric P. Ebeling, President & CEO, ARC, discusses the vast capabilities of the ARC fleet and logistics network, as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead for U.S.-flag ships in the international trade.By the numbers’ is a simplistic means to gauge the size and shape of any shipping company


07 Feb 2024

Smyril Line Orders Methanol-ready RoRo Ships at CIMC Raffles

(Image: Knud E. Hansen)

Smyril Line announced it has signed a contract with the CIMC Raffles shipyard in China for the construction of two new vehicle carrier vessels.The ro-ro ships will each be 190 meters in length with 3,300 lane meters for trailers. They have been designed in close cooperation with naval architects Knud E. Hansen for year-round seaworthiness in the North Atlantic. Smyril Line plans to place the vessels into service on its current network, operating a route between Europe, the Faroe Islands and Iceland from 2026.Compared to the company's existing fleet


05 Feb 2024

ARC Adds Ninth US-flag RoRo Vessel to Its Fleet

(Photo: ARC)

American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC) added ARC Honor as the ninth American flag roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel to its fleet.“This tremendously capable and flexible U.S.-flag ship is crewed by American merchant mariners and now operates in ARC’s global network supporting America’s national defense and economic security through trade,” said Eric Ebeling, ARC President & CEO. The vessel is ARC’s fourth large car/truck carrier (LCTC) vessel.The former Tulane was re-flagged to American registry and re-named the ARC Honor on February 2, 2024.

30 Jan 2024

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Bags $1.2B in New Deals

(Credit: Wallenius Wilhelmsen)

Wallenius Wilhelmsen has signed significant contracts whose combined worth amounts to $1.2 billion for the world’s largest RoRo vessel operator.The contracts have been signed with a leading global construction and mining equipment manufacturer, and with one of the largest automotive distributors in the Americas.The first multi-year shipping contract with equipment manufacturer has a duration of three years, plus a two-year extension option.It is valued at approximately $1 billion in total


22 Jan 2024

BYD's First Chartered Vessel Sets Sail with 5,000 EVs for Europe

(Photo: BYD)

BYD's first chartered vehicle carrier has set sail from China's southern city of Shenzhen, carrying more than 5,000 electric vehicles to Europe, state media Xinhua reported on Tuesday.Chinese automakers including BYD, Chery Automobile and SAIC Motor, have been placing orders for vessels to counter rising shipping costs as they boost exports.The new roll-on, roll-off vehicle carrier named "BYD Explorer No.1" departed on Monday for Flushing Port in the Netherlands and the German port of Bremerhaven


22 Jan 2024

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Signs Korean Customer and Acquires Two RoRo Ships

(Credit: Wallenius Wilhelmsen)

Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the world’s largest RoRo vessel operator, has signed a multi-year shipping contract with South Korea’s construction machinery company and taken delivery of two vessels.Through its 80% owned subsidiary EUKOR, Wallenius Wilhelmsen welcomed the 2009-built, 6,600 CEU Morning Camilla vessel following the declaration of a purchase option under the long-term charter-in agreement.The purchase price is $30 million, well below the assessed charter-free valuation of around $70 million


05 Dec 2023

Seaspan Enters Car Carrier Segment in Order with Glovis

(Photo: Seaspan Corporation)

Containerships owner/operator Seaspan Corporation signaled its entry into the car carrier segment in confirming a deal to order a series of new pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) in partnership with Hyundai Glovis (Glovis).The 10,800 CEU are the largest PCTCs under development to date. They will be dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as ammonia-and methanol-ready.Seaspan said it negotiated the purchase from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a China State Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard.

27 Nov 2023

K Line Conducts 1,000 Mile Autonomous Voyage Trial

Source: K Line

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K LINE) and the Nippon Foundation have demonstrated autonomous navigation on a roro for a round-trip route of approximately 1,000 miles (1,600km) between Hitachi Port and Kushiro Port.The 11,413gt Hokuren Maru No. 2 sails the route routinely in service for operator Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen. Three autonomous voyages have been undertaken since October 1, 2023.“We confirmed that recognition, analysis, and decision making by the autonomous navigation system are executed with a high degree of accuracy in coastal navigation,” said K Line in a statement.

15 Nov 2023

MacGregor to Supply RoRo Equipment for Two PCTC Vessels to be Built in South Korea

Credit: MacGregor

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, said Wednesday it had received a significant order to supply comprehensive packages of RoRo equipment for two PCTC vessels to be built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. Ltd in South Korea.The vessels are scheduled to be delivered to the owner between the second quarter of 2026 and the third quarter of 2026. MacGregor’s scope of supply encompasses the design, supply, and installation support of complete hardware for both vessels, including a quarter ramp


08 Nov 2023

3D Printed Spare Part Cuts Downtime for Wallenius Wilhelmsen's RoRo Vessel

CAPTION Pelagus 3D delivered a Return Oil Standpipe at Kobe, Japan, to be installed on vessel TYSLA - Credit: Pelagus

Pelagus 3D said Wednesday it had delivered a Return Oil Standpipe at Kobe, Japan, to be installed on Wallenius Wilhelmsen's RoRo vessel TYSLA. The collaboration involved Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Wilhelmsen Ship Management.Traditionally, the procurement, fabrication, and delivery of specific spare parts has been a time-consuming process, often leading to costly downtime for the maritime and offshore industries. However, with the advent of Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D Printing


25 Oct 2023

Louis Dreyfus to Operate Methanol- and Wind-Powered RoRos for Airbus

(© Louis Dreyfus Armateurs / Airbus)

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) said it has been tapped by Airbus to renew its entire fleet of chartered vessels for aircraft subassembly transport with three modern, low-emission roll-on / roll-off vessels, supported by wind-assisted propulsion.LDA announced Wednesday it has been commissioned to build, own and operate these new highly efficient vessels, slated for entry into service from 2026.Powered by a combination of six Flettner rotors—large, rotating cylinders that generate lift thanks to the wind


16 Oct 2023

Wasaline RoPax to Burn Biogas Fuel on Fridays

(Photo: Wasaline)

Finnish shipping company Wasaline announced it has started operating with certified biogas one day a week from October 13, in preparation for the EU emissions trading system that will come into force next year.The company, which operates the route connecting Vaasa, Finland and Umeå, Sweden, said it will use certified biogas aboard its ro-pax vessel Aurora Botnia for all Friday departures through December 22 as part of its “Green Fridays” pilot project.Biogas is more expensive than liquefied natural gas (LNG)


03 Oct 2023

DP World Puts Cars in Containers

Source: DP World

Thousands of cars are now entering Turkey after DP World Yarımca introduced a ‘cars in containers’ shipping solution that has helped solve an automotive supply chain crisis in the region.Congestion at Turkish ports has resulted in significant delays in delivering new vehicles against a backdrop of skyrocketing demand in the burgeoning automotive market. Turkey recently experienced an auto sales boom with a record 110,000 vehicles sold in June which is a 37.5% year-on-year increase


29 Sep 2023

MacGregor to Deliver RoRo Equipment for Methanol-Fueled PCTCs in China

Credit: MacGregor

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has been chosen to deliver RoRo equipment for two of the world's first methanol-fueled Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTC) for China Merchant Energy Shipping to be built at China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. in China.The vessels are to be delivered to the owner between the third and fourth quarters of 2025.MacGregor´s scope of supply is to design and deliver the key components consisting of external and internal ramps, covers, electrically operated doors


13 Sep 2023

Finnlines Names New RoPax Finnsirius

(Photo: Finnlines)

Finnlines on Wednesday held a naming ceremony in Naantali for its first of two new freight-passenger Superstar vessels, Finnsirius.The new ro-pax vessel, part of Finnlines €500-million Green Investment Program, was built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China.“Finnsirius is Finnlines’ new eco-efficient flagship, designed specifically for the fast-paced freight transport route between Finland and Sweden. At the same time, Finnsirius offers upgraded services and more travel comfort than the previous generation of ro-pax vessels.

13 Sep 2023

Wärtsilä to Equip World’s First Methanol-fuelled Hybrid RoRo Vessels

The ships will be the world’s first methanol fuelled hybrid RoRo vessels and will operate in the Stena Line Irish Sea system (illustrated - © Stena RoRo).

Finland-based marine technology group Wärtsilä will supply an integrated hybrid propulsion system for two new world’s first methanol-fuelled hybrid RoRo vessels The ships are being built at the China Merchants Jinling shipyard (Weihai) Co., Ltd for the Swedish shipping company Stena RoRo. The ships will operate in the Stena Line Irish Sea system. Each vessel will be equipped with two Wärtsilä 32M multi-fuel engines capable of operating on methanol fuel and with ammonia-ready notation.

06 Sep 2023

Car Carrier Rescues Sailors from Shark-bit Russian Yacht

(Photo: Australian Maritime Safety Authority)

A Panamanian-flagged vehicle carrier vessel rescued three sailors from a Russian yacht that was mauled by sharks in the Coral Sea. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said it coordinated the rescue after the Russian-registered Tion activated its emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at 1:30 a.m. (AEST) on Wednesday.The distressed vessel, a 9-meter inflatable catamaran with three people on board, including two Russian and one French citizen, was sailing


05 Sep 2023

Neptune Lines Orders Two Car Carriers from China's Fujian Mawei

(Image: Neptune Lines)

Greek shipping company Neptune Lines announced the order of two next generation car carrier vessels, specially designed for its short sea trades. Fujian Mawei shipyard in China will build the 4,200 CEU DF PCTC vessels for scheduled delivery in 2026.The new vessels, under the Genesis Project, are the first two of a new series which reflects Neptune’s strategy to supplement its fleet over the next decade, increase relevant cargo capacity by 36% from current core fleet vessels, and reduce emissions to remain well ahead of global targets.

15 Aug 2023

Wallenius Wilhelmsen to Order Four Methanol-Ready Vessels

Credit: Wallenius Wilhelmsen

Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the world’s largest RoRo vessel operator, has signed a letter of intent for the delivery of four 9,350 CEU methanol-capable and ammonia-ready vessels and individual options for an additional eight vessels. The four vessels will be delivered from mid-2026 and onwards by Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu). “We are securing our position as our customers' first choice in shipping and delivering on our strategy to provide a net-zero emission free end-to-end service by 2027,” says Xavier Leroi, EVP & COO Shipping Services Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

14 Aug 2023

Neptune Lines Taps Maindeck to Digitize Dry Dock Project Management

Greek shipping company Neptune Lines will trial Maindeck's digital project management solution to plan and execute dry-docking projects.Neptune Lines provides transportation and shipping solutions for manufacturers and shippers of cars and high and heavy cargoes. Its fleet comprises 22 pure car and truck carrier vessels with loading capacities ranging from 1,500 to 6,500 vehicles.During the upcoming drydocking of Neptune Galene, Neptune Lines will trial Maindeck's platform to optimize its project management and enhance efficiency across all project phases. Features of the solution include advanced tendering, tracking and reporting capabilities.“We are proud to be working with Neptune Lines, one of the leading Greek ship managers.

03 Aug 2023

Burned-out Car Carrier Towed to Dutch Port

(Photo: Netherlands Coastguard)

A burned-out car carrier off the Dutch coast is being towed to port for salvage, Dutch authorities said on Thursday.The Fremantle Highway, which was travelling from Germany to Egypt when the blaze broke out on July 26, will be towed from its current location north of the islands Ameland and Schiermonnikoog to nearby harbour Eemshaven, the Dutch public works and water management ministry said in a statement."Most of the ship has now been inspected and there are no indications that there is still fire on board," Rijkswaterstaat said, adding that the situation on board is now stable.The fire aboa

Subscribe for
Maritime Reporter E-News

Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email five times per week