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Corsica News

31 Jan 2024

Deltamarin Inks Design Deal for Stena RoRo’s 13th E-Flexer RoPax

Rendering by Peter Mild, courtesy Deltamarin

Finland-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm Deltamarin informs it has signed a design contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) for the complete basic and detail design of a new RoPax vessel.The new RoPax is the 13th vessel in the Stena RoRo’s E-Flexer series and is the first to be delivered to the Mediterranean region. Corsica Linea will charter the vessel for operation on Marseille – Corsica route from Stena RoRo, with a purchase option. Delivery…

09 Jan 2024

Stena RoRo Orders RoPax from China's CMI Jinling

Rendering by Peter Mild, courtesy Stena RoRo

Stena RoRo has placed an order for another RoPax-class E-Flexer vessel from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai). The vessel will be delivered in the first quarter of 2026 to Corsica Linea and will operate between Marseille and Corsica. This is Stena RoRo’s 13th vessel in the E-Flexer series and the first to be delivered to the Mediterranean region.“The arrival of this new LNG vessel in the fleet is a strong signal that is in line with the ambitious course set for Corsica Linea the coming years: to become the most modern shipping company in the Mediterranean by 2030.

31 May 2023

CMA CGM Acquires La Méridionale, New Ship Orders Planned

Copyright CMA CGM

The CMA CGM Group today finalized the acquisition of La Méridionale, a mixed-use freight and passenger shipping company established in Marseille since 1931. La Méridionale currently has four RoPax vessels, which operate up to 13 weekly crossings between Marseille, Porto Vecchio and Ajaccio, plus connections between Marseille and Morocco.The acquisition of La Méridionale complements the new division of the CMA CGM Group dedicated to specialized shipping operations. This division encompasses the new car carrier business…

16 May 2023

Corsica Linea Signs 10-year Asset Performance Deal with Wärtsilä

Corsica Linea’s LNG-powered ferry, A Galeotta, on sea trials (Photo: Corsica Linea)

French ferry operator Corsica Linea has signed 10-year Guaranteed Asset Performance (GAP) agreement with Wärtsilä to help ensure optimal performance of the power systems onboard the company’s new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled RoPax vessel A Galeotta, which will sail between Marseille and Corsica in France. The 206-meter-long ship was built at the Visentini yard in Italy. It features two Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel main engines and two Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel auxiliary engines.The scope of the agreement includes scheduled maintenance of the main and auxiliary engines…

15 Feb 2023

CMA CGM in Exclusive Talks to Buy Ropax Firm La Méridionale

©Panama/AdobeStock

CMA CGM Group has entered into exclusive talks with STEF Group to buy La Méridionale, a mixed freight and passenger shipping company based in Marseille, France."The completion of this transaction is conditional upon the signature of the share transfer agreements, after information and consultation of the employee representative bodies, and authorizations from the various competition authorities," CMA CGM said."With this acquisition, CMA CGM Group wishes to pursue its development in the Mediterranean while strengthening the position of the port of Marseille and the French shipping industry…

12 Jul 2022

Danfoss to Power France's New Hybrid-electric Buoy-laying Vessel

(Image: Danfoss)

Danfoss Power Solutions’ Editron division will power a new hybrid-electric buoy-laying vessel for the Armement des Phares et Balises, the French government’s department responsible for signaling dangers and marking shipping routes along the French coast. The vessel will be used to maintain and replace navigational buoys around the island of Corsica.In 2019, the French Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Sea committed to a series of measures aiming to decarbonize its marine industry. One of those measures is the decarbonization of vessel propulsion and onboard energy.

19 Jan 2021

BV Uses ROV to Complete First Underwater Ship Survey

(Photo: Bureau Veritas)

Testing, inspection and certification body Bureau Veritas (BV) said it has completed the proof of concept project for underwater remote surveys using the Seasam remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV technology eco-system from Notilo Plus on a Corsica Linea car ferry Mediterranée. Efficient underwater inspection of shipping vessels is important for the industry as a substitute for docking surveys at agreed intervals or to inspect hull damage. BV has been evaluating opportunities…

17 Sep 2020

Fit for Fight: Navies challenged by COVID at sea, ashore

Fit for the COVID Fight: Sailors stand in ranks before manning the rails of Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Photos: U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Huntington

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, navies adjusted how they operate at home and while deployed, to keep their forces ready for any missions as they keep their Sailors, families, communities, as well as allies and partners safe from the coronavirus.Navies have taken a number of prudent preventative measures to limit outbreaks, mitigate cases of infection and reduce the community spread of the virus.Speaking during his May 29 “On The Horizon: Navigating the European and African Theaters” podcast, Admiral James G. Foggo III, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, said The U.S.

20 Mar 2020

France Sends Warship to Evacuate Coronavirus Patients

 French helicopter carrier Tonnerre (© Marine nationale)

France will use a helicopter warship to transfer coronavirus patients in critical condition from Corsica to hospitals in the southeast of the country, its armed forces minister said on Friday.As of Thursday, there were 162 confirmed coronavirus cases on the Mediterranean island.

12 Sep 2019

ABB Enables Emission-free Port Visits

French ferry operator Corsica Linea is fitting out its ferries calling Port of Marseille with equipment necessary to use electricity for power at berth using  ABB’s shore connection technology.Instead of running diesel-fueled auxiliary engines, Paglia Orba, Jean Nicoli and Pascal Paoli ferrieswill use electricity for power at berth. Each of the three vessels is being modified to feature ABB’s power compensation solution Dynacomp, which allows electricity available from the local grid in Marseille to be stepped down to 11KV in order to take care of ship power needs while in port.“ABB shore connection technology enables the type of emissions-free ship power that regulators, ports and local residents increasingly demand.

04 Sep 2019

Marseille Fos to be 1st Electric Port in Med

The the main trade seaport of France, the Port of Marseille Fos has unveiled a new eco-friendly initiative that supports the port's goal of becoming the Mediterranean's first fully electric port by 2025.Marseille Fos CEO Hervé Martel said: “We are convinced that ecological transition is the springboard to economic growth. That’s why we are investing heavily to become the Mediterranean’s first 100% electric port by 2025."Among a string of new eco-friendly initiatives, the Marseille Fos port authority is to spend EUR 20 million over the next six years to extend shore-side electrical connections for berthed vessels to every ferry, cruiseship and repair quay within the Marseille eastern harbour.Already available on the Corsica ferry quays…

03 Sep 2019

2 Workers Die on Board Greek Ship in Bangladesh

NGO Shipbreaking Platform said that accident at the shipbreaking beach of Chattogram, Bangladesh killed two and severely injured thirteen. The accident occurred in the afternoon of Saturday 31 August at Ziri Subedar shipbreaking yard. During scrapping operations on the ship CSL VIRGINIA a heavy cable collapsed, hitting several workers at once. Aminul Islam, 35 years old, and Tushar Chakma, 27 years old, lost their lives.Thirteen workers  suffered severe injuries and were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment. Following the accident, local authorities ordered the temporary closure of the yard. Investigations are ongoing.The container ship CSL VIRGINIA was beached in Bangladesh in February 2019.

24 Jul 2019

Marseille Fos Accelerates Air Emissions Cuts

File image / AdobeStock / © dbvirago

Among a string of new eco-friendly initiatives, the Marseille Fos port authority is to spend $22 million over the next six years to extend shoreside electrical connections for berthed vessels to every ferry, cruiseship and repair quay within the Marseille eastern harbor.Already available on the Corsica ferry quays, the network will be expanded in two phases to cover North Africa ferry quays and the shiprepair hub by 2022 and the cruise terminal between 2022 and 2025. The zero…

19 Jul 2019

Another Damen ASD Tug 2813 in Service

The Damen built ASD Tug 2813, Vincenzino O., underway. IMAGE CREDIT: Damen

On 18 July 2019, Moby held a naming ceremony for their new Damen ASD Tug 2813, Vincenzino O. in Cagliari as part of the company’s plans to upgrade its fleet.Moby’s CEO Achille Onorato says: “We are very proud to welcome this new tug to our fleet. The vessel, which carries the name of my son, Vincenzino O., introduces the sixth generation of our family to the sea and is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the community of Sardinia. We have enjoyed an excellent cooperation…

16 Jan 2019

Eniram Helps French Ferry La Méridionale to Cut Fuel

French ferry operator La Méridionale and Eniram, a Wärtsilä have taken notable steps on digitalising La Méridionale’s fleet with the help of the latest energy management technology."This partnership is in line with Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine vision, which through the extensive use of digitalisation, will enable the efficient use of resources with the least possible impact on the environment," said a press release.The ‘Piana’, a ro-pax ferry that travels between Marseille and Corsica, was equipped with Eniram Trim and Speed solutions in April 2017. The evaluation period, which ended in summer 2018, resulted in annualized fuel savings of around 2%. These savings enable payback on the investment in just two years.

19 Oct 2018

French Riviera Launches Clean-up As Fuel Spill Reaches Beaches

(Photo: Marine Nationale)

Some of France's spectacular Riviera beaches have been shut as volunteers with shovels and sacks try to rid the coastline of a thick oily residue that washed ashore after two ships collided off Corsica earlier in October.The clean-up operation is taking place on beaches in the glitzy resort of Saint-Tropez and nearby Ramatuelle, where pristine waters and mountainous backdrops draw tycoons and A-list celebrities."Last year it was forest fires, now the pollution is coming from the sea," said Roland Bruno, mayor of Ramatuelle.

12 Oct 2018

Vessels Separated After Collision off Corsica

(Photo: Marine Nationale)

Tunisian roll-on/roll-off ferry Ulysse has separated from the Cyprus flagged containership CSL Virginia on Thursday following a collision earlier this week in the Mediterranean Sea.CSL Virginia was at anchor approximately 17 miles off the island of Corsica when it was struck broadside by cargo and passenger ferry Ulysse early Sunday morning. The ferry's bow penetrated the hull of the containership, causing the two vessels to become stuck together and resulting in a major oil spill.No deaths or injuries were reported…

07 Oct 2018

Cargo Ships Collide Near Corsica Causing Oil Spill

The Ulysse, ro-ro-cargo ship operated by the Tunisian operator CTN, struck the Cyprus-based  container ship CLS Virgina near the French Mediterranean island of Corsica early Sunday, causing no injuries but causing a 4-kilometer (2.4 mile) fuel spill in the Mediterranean Sea.According to a statement from the regional French maritime authority the collision smashed a hole of several meters (yards) long in the hull of one of the ships, causing the spill.AP reported that the spill created a trail of pollution nearly 2 and a half miles long and several hundred yards wide, heading away from Corsica to the northwest, toward the French and Italian mainland.The report quoted officials saying that they had not yet identified the liquid…

06 Sep 2018

Coral Leader to the Rescue

Coral Leader, a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) owned by NYK supported the rescue operation of five people including two children onboard yacht. The yacht was in distress in the Mediterranean Sea, just off Corsica.The operation was conducted by French Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) on August 26 (local time) off the coast of France. The vessel Coral Leader is managed by Wallem Shipmanagement LimitedWhile Coral Leader was sailing from the port of Livorno, Italy, to the port of Tarragona, Spain, the vessel received a call from MRCC to cooperate in the rescue operation of a yacht.The Coral Leader diverted course to help. The…

06 Nov 2017

Eniram Inks Service Deal with Corsica Linea

Photo: Eniram

Eniram, a Wärtsilä company, has signed a five-year service agreement with Corsica Linea to take them to the forefront of digitalization and performance management. The agreement covers the fleet owned and operated by Corsica Linea between Marseilles and Corsica. These five vessels will be upgraded to the latest Eniram real-time performance management standards. With Eniram's solutions, Corsica Linea is able to reduce fuel costs and optimize its operations. In addition, Eniram's solutions take into account upcoming regulations concerning the monitoring…

04 Jul 2017

Load Cells for Offshore Mooring Project

TSM Molène and TSM Penzer. (Image: Iroise Mer/Straightpoint)

French maritime engineering specialist Iroise Mer used a 50 ton Straightpoint Radiolink plus (RLP) load cell during a refit of a tanker mooring system located 500m off the Corsica coast, recently. Iroise Mer's job was to update the site, comprising four different mooring lines, complete with anchors, chains and concrete deadweights, and all existing components had to be removed and new ones installed. The RLP was used to measure pre-tension up to 30 ton to check new anchors were properly installed into the seabed.

27 Apr 2017

AIDAperla Delivered to AIDA Cruises

Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises, with Shunichi Miyanaga, President and CEO MHI (Photo: AIDA Cruises)

AIDA Cruises has taken delivery of the 12th vessel of its fleet, AIDAperla, from Japanese shipbuilder Mitshubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). The vessel was commissioned April 27 at a ceremony in Nagasaki, Japan in the presence of Michael Thamm, CEO Costa Group; Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises; Shunichi Miyanaga, President and CEO MHI; and Kazuaki Kimura, President and CEO, Industry & Infrastructure MHI. In the coming days AIDAperla will set sail for the Mediterranean where the vessel will be christened by model and presenter Lena Gercke on June 30, 2017, in Palma de Mallorca.

18 Aug 2016

Hot Month at Marseille Fos

In contrast to an international downturn, French port Marseille Fos has reported exceptional results for July with 7.8 million metric tons of cargo and 387,000 passengers – up by 18.6 percent and 13 percent respectively on the same month last year. General cargo totaled 1.64 million metric tons (up 8 percent) after growth in all three sectors – containers, ro-ro and conventional. Box throughput rose 11 percent to more than 1 million metric tons, representing a 12 percent unit increase to 112,768 teu. Traffic through the Fos deep sea container terminals is now 4 percent ahead on the first seven months of last year, while the Terminal de Mediterranee in Marseille set a July record for its container activity. Liquid bulks were 26 percent better at 5.11 million metric tons.