DFDS launches 2024 Rosslare-Dunkirk passenger service with early booking deals
A ferry link to Europe will be offered by pan-European ferry company DFDS’ Rosslare to Dunkirk route from 17 November 2023, with special deals available to passengers booking in advance for travel in 2024, using the ro-pax ferry Optima Seaways.…MSC Cruises orders two new environmentally-advanced world class ships from Chantiers de l’Atlantique
On 13 November 2023 MSC Cruises confirmed the order of two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessels with French ship builder Chantiers de l’Atlantique. This sees the two World Class options confirmed as firm orders with an option for a fifth…First ammonia-powered containership Yara Eyde set to debut in 2026
Yara Eyde, the world’s first containership to be powered by pure ammonia as fuel, is scheduled to enter the market in 2026. The vessel is being developed by ammonia producer and shipowner Yara Clean Ammonia and the Norwegian container operator…Former minesweeper ex-Hr.Ms. Sittard (M830) is in need of help
The former minesweeper ex-Hr.Ms. Sittard (M830) is in need of help. She is one of the last remaining Ton class minesweepers still in operational condition. However, the outer hull, built of wood, is in need of a serious upgrade and…New cruise ship Celebrity Ascent officially joins the Celebrity Cruises fleet
On 7 November 2023 Celebrity Ascent officially joined the Celebrity Cruises fleet during a delivery ceremony at Chantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, France). She is the fourth ship in the Edge series and will cross the Atlantic to make her cruise…Ferry Epsilon makes her last sailing for Irish Ferries
After almost ten years of service with Irish Ferries, the ferry Epsilon is due to make her last sailing for the company today, 10 November, arriving in Dublin from Cherbourg. After a refit she will sail for her new owners…Charter by Cal mac of ferry Alfred extended to summer 2024
On 6 November 2023 Transport Scotland announced a six-month extension of the current charter of Alfred, providing additional resource through the winter and annual overhaul period on Scotland’s west coast, and as Cal Mac also start planning for the summer…Celebrity Cruises to name fifth Edge-class ship Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Cruises cut the steel for its fifth Edge-class ship, which will be named Celebrity Xcel, on 7 November 2023. The cruise line’s president, Laura Hodges Bethge, said the ship will be true to its name and “excel” beyond the…Stena Line’s new freight-only ferry on Birkenhead to Belfast route begins operations
Stena Line’s new freight-only ferry entered service on the Birkenhead to Belfast route on 2 November, making her maiden commercial arrival in Belfast the following day. Stena Forwarder (ex Frijsenborg) has replaced Stena Foreteller on the Birkenhead ‘shoulder service’ carrying…Boskalis orders large 31,000 cubic metre trailing suction hopper dredger from Royal IHC
Boskalis has signed a contract with Dutch shipbuilding company Royal IHC to build a large state-of-the-art trailing suction hopper dredger. The award of the contract follows an extensive design phase. The vessel will have a hopper capacity of 31,000 cubic…Damen Shipyards delivers three new ASD Tugs to Poland’s WUZ Port and Maritime Services
On the 19 October 2023 the flag raising ceremony for three new ASD Tugs took place in Gdansk, Poland. In the presence of a large group of Polish and international associates and company employees, the new tugs were welcomed into…MSC continues making ship purchases and recycling
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is leading the way both in ship demolitions and ship purchases. MSC has scrapped 15 vessels so far this year, with the last two torched ships being the 1988-built 2,073TEU MSC Denisse and the 1989-built 2,918…Norwegian Cruise Line returns to Asia for the first time in three years
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) marked its return to Asia as Norwegian Jewel set sail from Tokyo and commenced its extensive six-month season of voyages in the region, according to the company’s release. As the first ship in the NCL fleet…South African Navy Naming Ceremony of 2nd Multi Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel
The South African Navy named the second of three Multi Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPVs) in Durban harbour on 27 October 2023. During the ceremony, the vessel was officially named SAS King Shaka Zulu. Named for the great Zulu King the…Viking Cinderella reflagged under Finnish flag
In March 2024 Viking Line will take its vessel Viking Cinderella out of cruise service between Stockholm and Mariehamn so that it can instead be launched in service on the company’s Helsinki-Mariehamn-Stockholm route. In conjunction, the vessel will be reflagged…Ships Monthly Novemeber 2023 issue out now
SHIPS MONTHLY November 2023 The November 2023 issue of Ships Monthly is out now, and is packed with all the usual news and outstanding articles and features. NEWS Waterfront – Northern Sea Route gets busier, preserved ships Waverley and Shieldhall…