Stena RoRo takes over "Guillaume de Normandie"
⚡ Stena RoRo has taken delivery of the twelfth ship in the E-Flexer series from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai). The Guillaume de Normandie will be chartered to Brittany Ferries on a long-term basis and will be deployed on the Portsmouth - Caen route from April 2025. The ship has a 12 MWh battery system for emission-free harbour operations.
Houthi attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea on the rise
⚠️ In December 2024, several attacks by Houthi rebels on merchant ships in the Red Sea were reported, jeopardising security in this important shipping route.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen secures major order worth USD 766 million
⚙️ The world's largest RoRo operator, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, has signed a five-year contract with a manufacturer of agricultural, forestry and road construction machinery that includes comprehensive shipping and logistics services.
RoRo carriers expect continued high demand and profits
Leading RoRo operators such as Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Höegh Autoliners reported record profits and revenues last year and are forecasting further increases in 2024 due to strong vehicle exports and high freight rates.
Grimaldi expands hybrid RoRo fleet
🚢 The Grimaldi Group has acquired the Eco Salerno took delivery of its 13th hybrid RoRo ship in the GG5G series from the Chinese Jinling shipyard in Nanjing. The ship is equipped with environmentally friendly technologies to reduce emissions.
COSCO puts largest green RoRo ships into service
🌱 COSCO Shipping Specialised Carriers has commissioned the world's largest ro-ro ships, the "Liao He Kou" and "Min Jiang Kou", with capacities for 7,500 vehicles on 13 decks. These ships set new standards for environmentally friendly shipping.
1st Egyptian-Italian RoRo shipping route opened
The opening of a new RoRo connection between Egypt and Italy is intended to promote the export of Egyptian agricultural products to Europe. According to the Egyptian Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel el Wazir, this connection will open up new markets for Egyptian exports.
👉 To the original article on SIS
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister Kamel El-Wazir launched the maiden voyage of the new RoRo line between Egypt and Italy. This connection is intended to facilitate trade between the two countries and expand export opportunities for Egyptian products.
👉 To the original article on Ahram Online
3rd DP World doubles capacity and opens new RoRo terminal
DP World Romania has increased the container capacity at the Black Sea port of Constanța to 1.5 million TEU. In addition, a new RoRo terminal was opened that can handle up to 80,000 vehicles per year. These investments promote new trade flows, particularly with Turkey and Georgia.
👉 To the original article on Reuters
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has expressed concerns about the planned takeover of the RoRo terminal in Melbourne by Qube. It is feared that this takeover could increase the cost of port access for competing companies and worsen the quality of services.
1 Peel Ports invests £30 million in new RoRo terminal in Sheerness
Peel Ports Group has announced plans to invest £30 million in the construction of a new RoRo berth at the Port of Sheerness. This project is designed to accommodate larger RoRo vessels over 230 metres in length. Construction work will start in March 2025, with completion scheduled for summer 2025. The aim is to expand the capacity for handling vehicles, timber and construction machinery.
Source: All About Shipping - Peel Ports Invest
2nd DFDS finalises acquisition of Ekol Logistics' international network
The acquisition of the Turkish logistics company Ekol Logistics significantly strengthens DFDS' RoRo network. Headquartered in Istanbul, Ekol expands the service offering, enabling DFDS to serve new markets and routes.
Source: Shippax - DFDS Acquisition
3 Scandlines and Caterpillar engines investigate methanol utilisation
Scandlines and Caterpillar Motoren have entered into a partnership to investigate methanol as a fuel for ferries. The aim is to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and create more sustainable propulsion solutions for the Rostock-Gedser route.
Source: Shippax - Methanol Study
1. persistently high freight rates:
Freight rates in the RoRo industry remain at an all-time high despite a slight decline in demand for vehicles and machinery. Factors such as limited capacity, port congestion and rising operating costs are driving up prices. Companies must therefore adjust their logistics plans, which increases the complexity and cost structures in the industry.
Source: Lloyd's List - Freight Rates Soaring
2. charter rates drive costs:
Charter rates for ro-ro ships remain extremely high, which is putting pressure on smaller market players in particular. Shipping companies are looking for long-term strategies to remain competitive, while rising costs pose a challenge for the entire industry.
Source: Splash247 - High Charter Costs
3. market forecasts stabilise:
Despite global economic uncertainties, demand for RoRo services remains robust. The shipping of heavy machinery and specialised vehicles in particular remains stable, which indicates the versatility of RoRo ships. Industry experts assume that the RoRo transport method will continue to play a central role in global trade in the future.
Source: JOC.com - RoRo Demand Outlook
1 MSC returns to the vehicle transport market:
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world's largest logistics providers, has announced the acquisition of Gram Car Carriers for USD 698 million. This strategic move marks MSC's return to the vehicle transport market and significantly strengthens its position in the RoRo industry. By adding state-of-the-art RoRo vessels to its fleet, MSC shows confidence in the long-term importance of rolling cargo, even in a market characterised by uncertainties regarding vehicle production.
Source: JOC.com - MSC returns to vehicle carrier market
2. growth in the harbour of Brunswick:
The Port of Brunswick in Georgia, USA, has seen impressive growth in RoRo traffic. Thanks to increasing demand for vehicle imports and a recovery from the global semiconductor crisis, the port has been able to significantly increase its trade volume. Brunswick is increasingly becoming an important hub for rolling cargo in North America, thanks to the port's efficient infrastructure and strategic location.
Source: Splash247 - Brunswick Port Expansion
3. record high order books for car transporters:
Demand for RoRo ships remains high and the order books for new car carriers have reached record levels. Shipping companies are increasingly investing in the expansion of their fleet capacities in order to meet future requirements. This is happening despite a predicted slowdown in global vehicle production, which emphasises the continued importance of the RoRo industry for global trade.
