Latest news with #maritimeindustry
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Starmer's EU reset to drive up cruise prices
Holidaymakers face paying more for cruises and ferry trips to the Continent under Sir Keir Starmer 's reset deal with the European Union. Passenger services are set to increase ticket prices in response to the UK adopting Brussels' rules on emissions costs. Industry insiders warned price rises were likely to mirror those in Europe, where costs on some routes have gone up by more than 10 per cent. This could add as much as £200 to the cost of a seven-day cruise, where a cabin can cost as much as £2,000 at the higher end. Some of the changes will come into force just before the height of next summer, when millions of Britons head to the Continent. Ministers announced last week that they would press ahead with expanding onerous net zero commitments to the maritime industry. From next July all shipping firms, including ferry operators and cruise liners, will be subject to the UK's emissions trading scheme (ETS). The move comes after Sir Keir agreed to link the UK and EU schemes as part of his Brexit reset deal, which was signed in May. It means ministers will set an overall cap on emissions for the maritime industry, with individual companies handed permits setting out how much greenhouse gas they can emit per year. If a business wants to go over its allowance, because demand for services is high, it will have to buy unused permits from another company. Over time the Government will lower the overall carbon cap in an effort to force shipping companies to reduce their emissions. Initially the UK ETS will only cover emissions from sea journeys made between British ports. But ministers have said they then intend to expand it to include international journeys, matching the approach taken by the EU. Companies are poised to pass on the cost to passengers of complying with the policy, including the need to adopt more expensive green technology. The EU Commission has admitted that its ETS scheme, which was expanded to cover shipping a year ago, has resulted in passenger lines putting up ticket prices. In a report assessing impacts of the first year of the scheme, EU officials wrote: 'There is evidence of specific ETS surcharges being applied on short sea shipping routes. 'An analysis of various ferry routes suggests that the impact of ETS costs on ticket prices largely varies across routes selected, with a price increasing ranging from 3 per cent to 11 per cent.' The same report also said that the scheme had introduced freight costs by between one per cent and five per cent and overall shipping costs across the industry by an average of 3.7 per cent. If replicated in Britain those figures would come as a concern at a time when the Government is struggling to keep a lid on inflation. Shipping industry figures said that UK holidaymakers were likely to experience a 'similar impact' on passenger ticket prices to that seen in the EU. One said that they had 'no doubt' that ferry operators would have to increase surcharges on Britons to recoup the extra costs. Another added: 'Inevitably there will be a cost increase to the cruise lines, therefore that money will have to come from somewhere.' Some businesses are concerned that the UK has rushed out its proposals to please the EU rather than waiting for a new international agreement on maritime emissions later this year. They fear that if the standards set by the International Maritime Organisation are less stringent, British firms will be left shouldering higher costs than international competitors. Andy Harmer, the managing director of the Cruise Lines International Association in the UK and Ireland, said: 'The cruise industry contributes £5.8bn to the UK economy, with over a third of the global cruise fleet visiting UK ports each year. 'To maintain and sustainably grow the more than 60,000 UK jobs that depend on the cruise industry, the UK's ETS system must be aligned with international counterparts and not risk the UK's competitiveness in the international cruise market.' There are also concerns that the Government's plans could wreak havoc on 'lifeline' island ferry services which are used by 2.4 million Britons every year. Such routes are vital to island dwellers, such as on the Isle of Wight and the Scilly Isles, who rely on them for access to the mainland for healthcare, education and essential goods. The UK Chamber of Shipping is urging ministers to exempt such services from the scheme amid warnings it could push up their fuel costs by almost a third, making many unviable. The Net Zero Department said that linking with the EU's emissions scheme would help British businesses avoid being hit with a new carbon border tax Brussels is introducing next year. A spokesman said of the EU Commission analysis: 'These figures do not apply to the UK and do not reflect that any costs come down as emissions are cut. 'By linking with the EU scheme, we will also cut red tape at the border, protect consumers from higher costs and make it easier for businesses to trade, boosting economic growth at home.'
ABC News
23-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Danish operator orders two electric ferries from Incat amid plans to expand the Tasmanian company
Tasmania-based shipbuilder Incat has been commissioned to design and build two new electric ferries for Danish operator Molslinjen, to run on one of Europe's busiest routes. Incat said the order for the two 129-metre, 45-megawatt vessels formed the largest individual export contract for a manufactured good in Tasmania's history. The cost of the ferries has not be disclosed. Each ferry will each carry up to 1,483 passengers and 500 cars, and will operate at speeds over of 40 knots across the Kattegat Sea between Jutland and Zealand in Denmark. Incat founder and chairman Robert Clifford said the order marked "a turning point not just for Incat but the for the global maritime industry". "This project aligns perfectly with our strategic vision. "As global demand for sustainable ferries accelerates, our expanded facilities will ensure we're ready to lead the way in both innovation and volume." Incat plans to expand its production facilities in Hobart's Prince of Wales Bay, as well as build a new facility further up the Derwent River. It aims to double its production capacity and workforce over the next three years. The Hobart-based company was established in 1977, and has since become an industry leader in building lightweight catamarans. More recently, it has branched out into electric passenger ferries. Incat managing director Craig Clifford, who also serves as the honorary consul for Denmark in Tasmania, said the partnership reflected "a shared commitment to the green transition". The order follows the launch in May of Incat's latest vessel HSC China Zorrilla — the world's largest electric vehicle. Launched in May, the ferry — also known as Hull 096 — has the largest electric battery ever installed on a ship, and will run on a roughly 55-kilometre route across the Rio de la Plata for operator Buquebus, between the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires and Montevideo in Uruguay. The ferry has the capacity to carry over 2,000 passengers and is equipped with more than 5,000 battery modules stacked together, weighing a total of 280 tonnes and delivering 43-megawatt hours. It was described as the "future of sea shipping" by Mr Clifford, and a milestone in the industry's bid to decarbonise. Electric maritime vessels are dependent on short journeys and ports with adequate charging infrastructure and renewable energy resources. To address the lack of charging infrastructure globally, Incat is also building a diesel-electric hybrid ferry which will be designed so that it can be retrofitted to become fully electric. Mr Clifford told ABC Breakfast he anticipated demand for electric ferries to grow. "There's not the slightest doubt that 1,000 ships are needed in the very near future, electric ships, to replace the fossil fuel ships — no question of that," he said. "We can do it in Tasmania; it won't be without challenges. Mr Clifford said the Hobart shipbuilder was uniquely placed to meet demand for large electric ferries compared to other international major shipbuilders due to his team's specialisation in working with aluminium. "Aluminium and electricity go together because … a lightweight ship takes a lot less power and electricity is in scarce supply at all the ports." "So, the ship that takes the least electricity will get the orders. "We should be able to bring out at least four ships a year," Mr Clifford said. Incat said early-stage construction of the two new ferries would begin in the coming months, and it aimed to deliver them in late 2027.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TNT Endorsement: Our choices in two races for Port of Tacoma commissioners
Pierce County voters have a choice in two different races for port commissioner this summer, with Port of Tacoma Commissioner Pos. 1 and Pos. 4 on the primary election ballot. We sat down for group interviews with the candidates, one panel for each race, and talked through issues that reverberate from the port to the entire community. The port is an economic engine for the region, with an impact on jobs, local businesses and the quality of our environment. As the federal government puts forward a vacillating trade policy and reverses national environmental goals, the editorial board wanted to know how candidates would lead the port through the shifting currents of our times. Position 1 For Port Commissioner Pos. 1, the board endorses Tim Payne, a challenger to the incumbent who brings local government experience and an impressive knowledge of the port's history as well as its current projects and challenges. Among other things, he emphasized the importance of pressing on with the port's efforts to transition to electric on-shore power and remediating contaminated sites. Payne, 62, has a fitting background for the port commission. He's currently executive vice president at EMA Inc., which consults local governments on water and wastewater management. He told of how he spent his early adulthood working a union job in the maritime industry to put himself through college and law school. After earning his law degree, he said he worked in environmental remediation, often working on oil spill clean-ups. He also served three terms on Gig Harbor City Council. In 2021, this paper endorsed incumbent John McCarthy for another term based on his vast years of experience and clear leadership skills. McCarthy, 75, first sat on the Port Commission starting in the 1980s, before serving as a Pierce County judge for 22 years. He rejoined the port commission in 2018 and is now finishing up his second term in a row. McCarthy currently serves as president of the port commission and co-chairs the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the body that runs the marine terminals at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. He also worked on a deal with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians to clear the way for a new terminal that will do business in the break-bulk side of shipping. McCarthy spoke convincingly on the issues during our interview. The board has no doubt he would use the immense knowledge and relationships he's built up over the years to keep the port on a steady course if he's elected. So why are we endorsing Payne? Four years ago, the editorial board said McCarthy shouldn't run again in 2025, in order to keep new ideas flowing into the port commission. We stand by that now. With a candidate like Payne on the ballot, who shows a mastery of the issues and history of leadership, it's a chance to add a strong new voice to the commission. That chance doesn't come every election. The third candidate in this primary race, Randy Wilson, showed a passion for the challenges facing the port and through it the county as a whole. But the knowledge that Wilson, 61, displayed on the issues was not deep enough to merit an endorsement with candidates like Payne and McCarthy on the ballot. Position 4 In the other seat slated for the primary election, Port Commissioner Pos. 4, the board endorses JT Wilcox. Current port commissioner Don Meyer is stepping down at the end of his term, making this an open seat. Wilcox, 62, is one of three contenders, and he pairs a familiarity with the port with his long history of relationship building in the Washington state legislature. As a Republican, Wilcox was the state House Minority Leader for part of his tenure at the statehouse. He retired in January. Wilcox has built his name on bipartisanship. He sees the port as a connection from local farms to the rest of the world, and a source of high-wage jobs for the region. He also stresses his commitment to environmental and conservation causes. He lists endorsements from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Democrat and former governor Christine Gregoire, Republican and former attorney general Rob McKenna, and the Northwest Marine Trade Association. He also touts the endorsement of two unions: locals of the IUPAT and the BAC, which represents builders like masons. Candidate Dan Knox lacks the experience in government that would make him a good fit as commissioner. However, he showed a detailed knowledge of the policy tools available to make needed changes at the port. The board felt that Knox, 30, could be a valuable resource working inside a government agency, whether that's supporting the port commission or elsewhere. The final candidate, Cyrus Donato has an impressive background in the maritime industry. He works as the Puget Sound-based inspector for the International Transport Workers Federation, a union. Donato, 38, has participated in investigations into violations of foreign workers' rights at sea. Given his background, the board was surprised at the lack of a clear vision in many of his answers to our questions. A third port commissioner race is heading directly to the general election this November, because only two candidates are running for the role. That will be Port of Tacoma Commissioner Pos. 2. The News Tribune Editorial Board is: Laura Hautala, opinion editor; Stephanie Pedersen, TNT president and editor; Jim Walton, community representative; Justin Evans, community representative; Bart Hayes, community representative. Hayes recused himself from the endorsement process for Port Commissioner Pos. 1 due to a personal relationship.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Mission to power ferries and boats with hydrogen power
A Jersey yachtsman hopes to reduce the maritime industry's emissions by using hydrogen power to fuel boats and racer Phil Sharp has used an £347,000 grant from the States of Jersey to develop a hydrogen-powered sailing plan now is for his company, OceansLab, to scale this sustainable technology to larger vessels, including ferries."I have always been keen to push a new clean tech that we can adapt to the marine environment," he said. "This is the moment to try and kick-start the industry to demonstrate technologies that we can embrace for like inter-island ferries but also short sea shipping and longer-term, deep-sea shipping," he said."My goal is to get this technology into real vessels and ships as quickly as possible in order to reduce the detrimental effect we are seeing from the maritime sector."OceanLab uses hydrogen fuel cells and solar said the company was currently trying to commercialise the technology in order to have a "greater environmental impact" and has recently moved into a production centre to start creating and assembling the technology to Sharp also said the company has been visiting schools to teach them about clean energy on the island.
Bloomberg
11-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Why the US's New Shipbuilding Strategy Is Unlikely to Work
The largest container ship ever built in the United States is the Kaimana Hila. Completed in Philadelphia in 2019, it can transport 3,220 shipping containers, each 20 feet long. The largest container ships now on the seas, however, were built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding near Shanghai, and have a capacity of 24,346 containers. They are, quite simply, in a different league. That comparison underscores the misguided logic behind the Trump administration's plan to attack China's maritime industry dominance. Starting Oct. 14, the administration aims to tax imports that arrive in Chinese-owned or Chinese-built ships, as well as any vehicles arriving in foreign-built vehicle carriers. (In some cases, the fees would be forgiven if the owner takes delivery of a similar US-built vessel within three years.) For good measure, the White House also wants to hike tariffs on imports of Chinese-made shipping containers themselves, as well as ship-to-shore cranes and the chassis on which trucks move containers to and from ports.
