South Europe Gains in Ferry Shipbuilding

Figures published in the latest issue of Cruise & Ferry INFO, published by Swedish shipping media house and consultancy, ShipPax Information, reveal that South European shipyards have taken a lead in the ”market shares” of ferry newbuildings.

Ferries worth $1.511 billion are now on order in the Mediterranean countries. At the same time, Northern Europe only produce new ferries worth $ 448 million whereas the Far East produces for $ 545 million, and then mostly for domestic account.

But in the longer perspective, this is a trend change. Whereas Northern Europe was building for a higher value than their competitors in the south as late as end 2003, their order book has diminished to levels never seen before. The delivery of PONT-AVEN (pictured) a few weeks ago resulted in one significant building being deleted from the order books.

”But the general trend clearly indicates that the North European yards are now less competitive, which was seen, for example, when Finnlines ordered from Fincantieri instead of Finnyards,” says ShipPax Managing Director Klas Brogren.