{"id":205124,"date":"2025-04-24T16:15:59","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T06:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldcargonews.com\/?p=75290"},"modified":"2025-04-24T16:15:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T06:15:59","slug":"ro-ro-european-spotlight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=205124","title":{"rendered":"Ro-Ro European spotlight"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a diverse portfolio of Ro-Ro operations that keep the wheels of European trade rolling, connecting islands and making short sea routes out of long inland alternatives. Despite complications from the UK\u2019s Brexit, the Ro-Ro sector is thriving, with new investments in ports and vessel capacity.<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Ireland\u2019s south coast makes a good starting point for a microcosm of the European Ro-Ro and ferry scene. The almost interminable influence of the UK \u201cBrexit\u201d from the EU almost ten years ago has had mixed implications, notably for Irish ports. The formerly popular \u2018land bridge\u2019 route, connecting Ireland and continental Europe via the UK, has become administratively burdensome. Brexit has promoted a steady rise in direct traffic between Ireland (which remains an EU member) and continental Europe. Ro-Ro operator CLdN alone lays claim to over twenty weekly sailings between Ireland and their main continental hubs at Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.<\/p>\n

More dramatically, Dublin Port – by far the biggest operation in Ireland – has secured EU funding of \u20ac73.8m from the \u201cConnecting Europe Facility for Transport\u201d programme<\/a>. The cash will support a project to increase berth capacity to handle projected future demand for Ro-Ro freight. This, says the port, will meet the needs of economic growth, Ireland\u2019s rising population, and the requirements of larger vessels (up to 240m) on direct services to Europe. Dublin Port says it already handles 83% of Ro-Ro freight and 72% of ferry volumes into Ireland.<\/p>\n

Connecting Europe<\/h2>\n

The EU Connecting Europe Facility Transport programme (CET)<\/a>, from which Dublin is benefitting, is helping improvements at coastal and inland facilities on seas and rivers all over Europe. More than \u20ac1.8 billion in grants has been awarded through the CET scheme already, and some of the twenty port-based initiatives (in a list of around one hundred projects) are aimed at Ro-Ro facilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost 90 per cent of the EU\u2019s external freight trade is seaborne,\u201d says a statement from the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU. \u201cShort sea shipping represents one-third of intra-EU exchanges in terms of tonne-kilometres.\u201d Examples include Malta\u2019s Limassol port, which will receive funding of more than \u20ac1m for onshore power supply infrastructure for cargo purposes. Gij\u00f3n in Spain will benefit from a \u20ac2.6m grant for similar shore power supply infrastructure. In northern Spain, Santander will get \u20ac3.5m to upgrade Ro-Ro handling at the port\u2019s dedicated terminal, where two berths already serve eight regular carriers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Connecting Europe Facility for Transport\u2019s focus is on fostering a transport network that is efficient, safe, interconnected and green,\u201d says a European Commission statement. \u201cBy addressing key challenges and supporting innovative solutions, it aims to meet the evolving needs and expectations for a modern and sustainable transport infrastructure in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emerald Isle\u2019s Green Corridor<\/h2>\n

Dublin has a further initiative, a \u201cGreen Corridor\u201d, zero-emission shipping route between Dublin and Holyhead, Wales. That project has attracted financial backing from the UK-led International Green Corridor Fund. A green shipping corridor, as designated by the funding, is a route between two or more ports upon which a zero-emission vessel operates.<\/p>\n

The initiative is a collaboration between the ports of Dublin and Holyhead, along with operators Irish Ferries and Stena Line. It\u2019s supported by the environmental consultancy Ricardo, Maynooth University and EDF.<\/p>\n

One of the major challenges for the ferry sector and the wider shipping industry is the emergence of multiple possible alternative fuel options, each with different requirements in relation to vessels, land use, electricity supply and other factors. This will compare e-methanol to other candidate fuels, with findings due this year.<\/p>\n

Fleet expansions<\/h2>\n

Despite Brexit, Britain does remain a significant trading partner with neighbouring Europe. As recently as February of this year, CLdN announced an increase in frequency and freight capacity on its Zeebrugge, Belgium -Teesport, North East England route. Growing demand has prompted the commercial decision, which the carrier says will provide capacity for inland shipping to northern parts of the UK. CLdN said at the time that the improved availability would be achieved by an additional round trip sailing per week and by deploying higher capacity ships on the route.<\/p>\n

The Luxembourg-based CLdN is engaged in an expansion of its core short sea and logistics business. \u201cThe addition of two very large Ro-Ro newbuilds to CLdN\u2019s extensive and modern fleet later this year, allows for this rapid response to customer requirements,\u201d says a company statement. \u201cThis fleet expansion also further enhances CLdN\u2019s ability to ship unaccompanied freight across the North Sea with lower CO2 emissions than any of its competitors.\u201d<\/p>\n

CLdN has quietly built up a network of Ro-Ro freight connections between mainland Europe and the East Coast of the UK.<\/a> From Zeebrugge, cargo including unaccompanied trailers, can be deposited at a central terminal hub and shipped to any one of CLdN\u2019s east coast terminals, at Purfleet near London, Killingholme (Humberside) and Teesport. \u201cCLdN continues to invest heavily in both its fleet and port infrastructure,\u201d said Florent Maes, CEO of CLdN. \u201cWe are glad to see increased customer support for our freight routes from Zeebrugge to East Coast UK.\u201d<\/p>\n

Short sea long distance<\/h2>\n

Finnlines, the Helsinki-headquartered shipping operator that is part of the Grimaldi Group, began services back in September on a new trade route that defies the designation of short sea. The sailings cover a route that includes port calls in Helsinki and Kotka in Finland, to Bilbao and Vigo in Spain, by way of Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Sheerness in the UK (operated as London Medway by Peel Ports).<\/p>\n

Emphasising the dynamic Ro-Ro market, Swedish operator Wallenius SOL has acquired its British counterpart Mann Lines<\/a>, which provides liner, Ro-Ro and container transport, as well as logistics and forwarding services. The Gothenburg headquartered owners said that the acquisition of Mann Lines will enable it to add approximately 200 new clients to its existing base of business due to \u201cminimal customer overlap\u201d.<\/p>\n

Based in Harwich, on the southern bank of the Irwell River, just opposite Felixstowe, Mann Lines transports Ro-Ro cargo between the UK, the Continent, the Baltic States, and Scandinavia, handling approximately 500,000 tonnes of cargo annually. There are no immediate plans for the Mann Lines brand to disappear. Wallenius SOL told our online news service WorldCargoNews.com that the deal will add Mann Lines ConRo\/Ro-Ro vessel to the company\u2019s fleet. The eight-year-old ML Freyja has a lane length of 2850m, and room for loading 210 trailers. An inventory of 500 units of equipment, seven local offices and around 50 employees have also moved as part of the deal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis acquisition will result in an expanded port network stretching from the Baltic countries to North West Europe,\u201d says Elvir Dzanic, CEO of Wallenius SOL. \u201cWith Mann Lines knowledge and years of experience operating container services in Northern Europe, we are well-equipped to deliver even greater value to the industries and communities we serve.\u201d The ML Freyja cruises at 22 knots.<\/p>\n

Hybrid fleet for Finnlines<\/h2>\n

Finnlines has commissioned three identical hybrid vessels, designated Finneco class. Built in Nanjing, China, the vessels have A1 Super ICE designation and are 238m in length with a cargo capacity of 5,800 lane metres, equivalent to around 400 trailers.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Finnlines three new Finneco class vessels require some ports to make modifications \/ Credit: Finnlines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of all the ports on the route, Sheerness in England is making the most alterations to accommodate the vessels<\/a>. Scheduled to begin about now, work is underway to revamp the existing infrastructure and install a new pontoon. The new berth is expected to be operational by this summer.<\/p>\n

According to Peel Ports, who manage Sheerness, the development of a new Ro-Ro berth will provide customers with faster and more efficient loading and unloading operations. \u201cSheerness plays a hugely important role in the handling and processing of a broad range of commodities,\u201d explained Richard Goffin, the Port Director for Peel Ports London Medway and Great Yarmouth (another facility on the east coast of England). \u201cThis \u00a330 million project not only shows our ambition to grow our offering to a range of industries, it also represents the next stage of significant investment into the port\u2019s infrastructure which will bolster our position as a leader in handling Ro-Ro vessels.\u201d Peel further says they have ambitions to deliver a rail connection at Sheerness, by installing infrastructure to the main port estate via an existing rail bridge.<\/p>\n

Connecting North Africa<\/h2>\n

In November 2024, DFDS set sail with a new freight ferry service, connecting southern Europe with North Africa. DFDS is integrating Egypt into its service network for the first time<\/a> and launching the first freight ferry service between these markets in around a decade. \u201cThe establishment of a reliable and efficient connection, between Damietta in Egypt and [the Adriatic port of] Trieste in Italy will support the trade flows between North Africa and Europe,\u201d stated the carrier. The new route is aimed at two-way trade in fresh produce (mainly vegetables and fruits), alongside textiles and other goods from Egypt to Europe, and various goods such as dairy, agricultural and industrial products from Europe to Egypt.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new route aligns perfectly with our commitment to organic growth and solidifies our strong presence in the Mediterranean region,\u201d said Mathieu Girardin, Head of the Ferry Division at DFDS. \u201cThe service not only expands our network but also enhances our ability to connect communities and support local economies opening up opportunities for trade and stronger economic ties between the two countries.\u201d The service is operating on a weekly schedule, with a sailing time of approximately 68 hours. DFDS has entered into a partnership with Egyptian shipping and logistics operator Pan Marine Shipping Services.<\/p>\n

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Spain to the Netherlands<\/h2>\n

DFDS will start another new freight route commencing next month (May) with a service between Spain and the Netherlands<\/a>. The weekly service is aimed at freight forwarders, project cargo owners and industrial customers. Of the latter, the global aluminium and energy company, Hydro, has signed an agreement for a weekly shipment of aluminium.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis new route offers significant potential, which we believe will benefit the broader market and aligns perfectly with our focus on organic growth,\u201d said Mathieu Girardin. \u201cWith Hydro, we are enhancing their supply chain with improved connections to and from Northern Europe and Iberia.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ro-Ro solution rolls aluminium products bound for customers onto cargo ships, say DFDS, eliminating the need for cranes and reducing safety risks from hanging loads. It also increases efficiency by cutting loading time in half, allowing ships to reduce speed and still deliver on time. DFDS will operate their vessel Belgia Seaways on the route with a capacity of 2660 lane metres.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Klaip\u0117da on the rise<\/h2>\n

In the Baltic, a rising star is the Port of Klaip\u0117da in Lithuania. As reported in January, Klaip\u0117da wound up 2024 with 35.5m tonnes of cargo handled. That is an 8% rise year-on-year.<\/a><\/p>\n

The port secured a 39% market share among Baltic ports. Domestic infrastructure projects catapulted the handling of construction materials and minerals, which nearly doubled to 2.07m tonnes in 2024.<\/p>\n

However, for long-term growth, Ro-Ro is the cargo to watch. Tonnage increased by 16% to 852,000 tonnes – a fraction behind intermodal cargo at 859,000 tonnes (a 9% growth). Ro-Ro callers include DFDS, with services connecting Klaip\u0117da with ports in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark. TT-Line operates a route between Trelleborg and Klaip\u0117da, connecting another important hub in the southern Baltic Sea with Klaip\u0117da.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

*This article first appeared in the April print issue of WorldCargo News<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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