FährNews Aktuell – Issue February 2025

Horizon X project picks up speed, new name for Copenhagen-Oslo route and much more.

Hello and welcome to the February issue of FährNews Aktuell in 2025. The top topics of this episode are presented by ferry-guide.com, where you can easily book Ferries online:

• Horizon X project gains momentum – What is the next step for Gotlandsbolaget?
• New attempt for the Netherlands-Norway route – from when it should start again
• And: New name for Copenhagen-Oslo connection – what ambitions the new operator is pursuing

The top topics of the February issue of FährNews Aktuell were presented by ferry-guide.com, the easy online booking platform for your ferry crossing. But here we go with this issue of FährNews Aktuell.

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And here is the entire February issue of FährNews Aktuell for you to read again:

1 Horizon X project picks up Ferries

[1] The Swedish shipping company Gotlandsbolaget has signed a contract with Austal Australasia for the construction of a 130 meter long, hydrogen-powered high-speed catamaran ferry. This vessel, part of the “Horizon X” program, will be the largest vessel built by Austal and will be the first high-speed ferry in the world to use a combined propulsion system of gas and steam turbines.

[2] The Ferry will be able to carry up to 1,500 passengers and 400 vehicles and reach a speed of 29 knots, reducing the crossing time between Gotland and the Swedish mainland to just over three hours. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first half of next year at the Austal shipyard in the Philippines, using “green aluminum” produced through energy-efficient processes with lower CO₂ emissions. Completion of the new building is scheduled for mid-2028.

2 New attempt for the Netherlands-Norway route

[3] From 2027, the Port of Arendal is planning to establish a new ferry service between Eydehavn in Norway and Eemshaven in the Netherlands in cooperation with Njordic Ferries B.V.. The route will operate daily and connect the two ports within 18 hours.

The new ferry connection aims to strengthen the regional economy, create new jobs and offer a more sustainable transportation option for freight and passengers. By bypassing congestion in Denmark and northern Germany, it will provide an efficient link between Norway and the European market.

The Port of Arendal is already investing in the necessary infrastructure, including a new RoRo ramp, which is due to be completed by 2025. This project supports Norway’s ambition to shift more traffic from road to sea and rail, with both economic and environmental benefits.

It is still completely unclear which Ferries will operate the connection from 2027. Holland Norway Lines last attempted a similar connection between Eemshaven and Kristiansand, but had to file for bankruptcy in August 2023. At that time, the ROMANTIKA from Tallink was used, which is currently laid up in Tallinn

3 New name for Copenhagen-Oslo connection

[4] The Swedish shipping company Gotlandsbolaget took over the ferry service between Oslo and Copenhagen from DFDS on November 1, 2024 and renamed it “Go Nordic Cruiseline” in February 2025. This name is intended to reflect the proud Nordic heritage and over 150-year history of the route, as well as emphasizing Gotlandsbolaget’s roots and ambitions for the further development of the line.

[5] As part of the takeover, the two ships PEARL SEAWAYS and CROWN SEAWAYS were renamed NORDIC PEARL and NORDIC CROWN. Both Ferries were given a new design with an aqua green hull, inspired by the colors of the Skagerrak and Kattegat, and red funnels with the white “G” of Gotlandsbolaget, symbolizing the company’s maritime heritage.

If you would like to experience the new ferry operator on the Copenhagen-Oslo route for yourself, then book your ticket for the Ferry with our partner ferry-guide.com. Here you can also see all the alternative crossing options directly when you make your booking if, for example, a departure doesn’t fit into your schedule. You will also receive a price overview of the individual shipping companies during the booking process. At ferry-guide.com you can easily book online at Ferries. You can also find the link to ferry-guide.com at the top of the video description or at the end of this video in the endcard.

[4] The NORDIC PEARL has already returned from the shipyard with renovated cabins and modernized public areas. The NORDIC CROWN is scheduled to enter service in mid-March 2025 after similar modernization work. Gotlandsbolaget plans to offer guests high-quality mini-cruise experiences with a focus on Nordic entertainment and gastronomy, allowing them more time to explore the two Nordic capitals.

There are also the following newsflashes this month:

4 new buildings launched for La Méridionale

[6] The French shipping company La Méridionale has officially started the construction of two new hybrid ro-pax ships. Construction is taking place at the China Merchants Jinling shipyard in Weihai, China.

The new Ferries will be 180 meters long and offer space for 932 passengers. They are equipped with LNG main engines and are designed for battery operation and connection to shore power in order to minimize emissions in ports.

The ships are scheduled for delivery in 2027. They are intended to modernize La Méridionale’s fleet operations and switch to more sustainable propulsion technologies in order to reduce the ecological footprint.

5 CAPU ROSSU placed on Kiel

[7] The CAPU ROSSU, the 13th ship in the E-Flexer class, was also laid down at the CMI Jinling shipyard at Kiel. With a length of 202.9 meters and a width of 27.8 meters, the ship offers space for 1,035 passengers in 234 cabins and has 2,500 loading meters for cargo. The CAPU ROSSU will be chartered to Corsica Linea on a long-term basis and is scheduled for delivery in early 2026 and entry into service in June 2026.

6 Launching of the second NewMax ship

[8] The Swedish ferry company Stena Line has launched its second NewMax RoRo vessel, the STENA CONNECTA. This ceremony also took place at the China Merchants Jinling shipyard in Weihai.

The STENA CONNECTA is intended for use on the Belfast-Heysham route and is expected to increase freight capacity on this route by 40%. The ship is equipped with hybrid technology that enables it to run on methanol and has integrated systems for battery operation and shore power utilization. In addition, the STENA CONNECTA will be equipped with rotor sails that use wind power to support propulsion, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Commissioning is planned for early 2026, while the sister ship STENA FUTURA is scheduled to enter service in fall 2025.

7 NEOLINER ORIGIN launched

[9] The NEOLINER ORIGIN, the world’s first wind-powered ro-ro cargo ship, was launched in Turkey on January 31, 2025.

[10] The 136-metre-long ship uses two foldable solidsail carbon masts with 3,000 square meters of sail area and modern weather routing systems to reduce fuel consumption by up to 90 %. It offers 1,200 loading meters of space for rolling cargo or can transport 265 TEU. It also offers space for 12 passengers. Operations are scheduled to start in summer 2025 on a route between France, the USA and Canada. The aim is to create an environmentally friendly alternative for sea transportation.

But that’s it for the February issue of FährNews Aktuell in 2025. Did you like the issue? Then please leave a Like. If you have any other comments or requests, please write us a comment. We look forward to your feedback!

To book your ferry crossing, you can now click on the link to ferry-guide.com. Otherwise, feel free to subscribe! If you haven’t had enough FährNews yet, we can recommend the last issue of FährNews Aktuell. Among other things, it dealt with the charter of the AKKA to the Attica Group and the return of the STAR to Tallink. Have fun and see you soon!

Sources

• [1] sandra, “Austal to Build 130-Metre Hydrogen-Ready High-Speed Ferry for Gotlandsbolaget”, Ferry Shipping News. Accessed February 28, 2025 [Online]. Available at: https://ferryshippingnews.com/austal-to-build-130-metre-hydrogen-ready-high-speed-ferry-for-gotlandsbolaget/
• [2] “Gotlandsbolaget places order at Austal for Horizon X hydrogen-ready catamaran”, Shippax. Accessed: February 28, 2025 [Online]. Available at: https://www.shippax.com/en/news/gotlandsbolaget-places-order-at-austal-for-horizon-x-hydrogen-ready-catamaran.aspx
• [3] “New International Ferry Route from Arendal in 2027 – ShortSeaShipping”. Accessed: February 28, 2025 [Online]. Available at: https://www.shortseashipping.eu/new-international-ferry-route-from-arendal-in-2027/
• [4] “Gotlandsbolaget presents the new name for the line between Oslo and Copenhagen”, Shippax. Accessed: February 28, 2025 [Online]. Available at: https://www.shippax.com/en/news/gotlandsbolaget-presents-the-new-name-for-the-line-between-oslo-and-copenhagen.aspx
• [5] “(Updated with interior photos) New Copenhagen-Oslo brand and logo to be revealed early spring”, Shippax. Accessed February 28, 2025 [Online]. Available at: https://www.shippax.com/en/news/new-copenhagen-oslo-brand-and-logo-to-be-revealed-early-spring.aspx
• [6] “Official launch of construction of La Méridionale’s new hybrid ro-paxes, Official launch of construction of La Méridionale’s new hybrid ro-paxes”, Shippax. Accessed February 28, 2025 [Online]. Available at:
  https://www.shippax.com/en/news/official-launch-of-construction-of-la-meridionales-new-hybrid-ro-paxes-.aspx
• [7] “CAPU ROSSU’s keel laid, CAPU ROSSU’s keel laid”, Shippax. Accessed February 28, 2025 [Online]. Available at: https://www.shippax.com/en/news/capu-rossus-keel-laid-.aspx
• [8] “Stena Line launches second NewMax ro-ro”, Shippax. Accessed February 28, 2025 [Online]. Available at: https://www.shippax.com/en/news/stena-line-launches-second-newmax-ro-ro.aspx
• [9] S. Avner, “Neoliner Origin has touched the water”, NEOLINE. Accessed February 27, 2025 [Online]. Available at: https://www.neoline.eu/en/neoliner-origin-has-touched-the-water/
• [10] “Wind-powered ro-ro ship NEOLINER ORIGIN launched”, Shippax. Accessed February 27, 2025 [Online]. Available at: https://www.shippax.com/en/news/wind-powered-ro-ro-ship-neoliner-origin-launched.aspx

You can find this and other episodes of FährNews Aktuell on the FährNews YouTube channel.