Page 90 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

INTERNATIONAL WATERS

ate a fleet of 4 LNG-fuelled ferries on East-West
Theodora Riga: “With a vision to continue routes in Japan. Boasting Japan's largest service
the work we have done so well, we are going route network and the most LNG-fuelled ferries in
to upgrade our activities and achieve even operation, the group offers stable services in both
more, together, while ensuring the responsible logistics and passenger services.
development of cruising and benefiting all
Mediterranean ports and destinations”. THEODORA RIGA ELECTED AS
MEDCRUISE PRESIDENT FOR THE TERM
2024-2027
During the 65th MedCruise General Assembly
held in Malaga, Spain, and within the framework
of Seatrade Cruise Med 2024, Theodora Riga was
elected President of MedCruise.
“I firmly believe in the value of collective action”,
declared Ms Riga. “With a vision to continue
the work we have done so well, we are going to
upgrade our activities and achieve even more,
together, while ensuring the responsible develop-
ment of cruising and benefiting all Mediterranean
ports and destinations. Through the collective
actions of our members and synergies with other
All ships are also ready to use bio-LNG and renew- associations and institutions (UNTWO, ESPO,
able synthetic LNG once they become widely avail- AIVP, CLIA, IAPH, etc.), we partner to maximise
able in the maritime sector. The last two ships – the economic, environmental, and socially sus-
Explora V and Explora VI, to be delivered in 2027 tainable development of ports, destinations, and
and 2028 respectively – will also be LNG-pow- all stakeholders in the Mediterranean and adjacent
ered. Additionally, there is a project underway for seas”.
both to have a large fuel cell capacity capable of In addition to electing its new President, Med-
transforming renewable LNG into hydrogen and Cruise also announced the new Board of Direc-
significantly reducing emissions. tors (BoD) for the term 2024-2027. The elected
members are:
LNG-FUELLED FERRIES, A PRIORITY Anne-Marie Spinosi, elected as Senior Vice Pres-
FOR MOL ident (Corsica Ports, France), Laura Cimaglia
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced that elected as Vice President (Port of Taranto, Italy),
on 4 September, the naming and launching cer- Valeria Mangiarotti (Sardinian Ports, Italy), Cris-
emony was held for the LNG-fuelled ferry “Sun- tina De Gregori (Port of Genoa/Savona, Italy), Luz
flower Pirka”, under construction at Naikai Zosen Marina Espiau Moreno (Port Authority of Santa
Corporation by MOL and MOL Group company Cruz de Tenerife, Spain), Joško Šupe (Port of Šibe-
MOL Sunflower Ltd. nik Authority, Croatia), Dario Barbarić (Dubrovnik
MOL will proactively adopt LNG, a low-carbon fuel Port Authority, Croatia), Maria Belkoleva (Port
that can be put to practical use immediately and of Burgas, Bulgaria), Lorenzo Vera Franco (Port
lead the world toward the realisation of a low-car- Authority of Motril, Spain), Genoveva Climent
bon/decarbonised society. (Port Authority of Tarragona, Spain), Figen Ayan
The ferry was given the name “Sunflower Pirka” (Galataport Istanbul, Türkiye), Kyriaki Kampana
by Sueji Shinohara, chairman of the Hokuren Fed- (Heraklion Port Authority, Greece), Gilson Cruz
eration of Agricultural Cooperatives, with his wife (Ports of Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde), and Angelos
handling the ceremonial rope-cutting honours. The Vlachos (Kavala Port Authority, Greece).
“Sunflower Pirka” is slated for delivery from Naikai Theodora Riga succeeds Figen Ayan, Chief Offi-
Zosen in April 2025 and will then enter service on cer at Galataport Istanbul, who will continue her
the Oarai-Tomakomai route operated by MOL involvement with the Association as Honorary
Sunflower. President and elected Board of Directors member.
With the newly built ferry, the “Sunflower Kurenai” Theodora Riga is also a Member of the Board of
and the Sunflower Murasaki already in service on Directors of Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation and
the Osaka-Beppu route since 2023, and the sister the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping Representa-
ship “Sunflower Kamuy”, which is scheduled to tive on the Hellenic Government’s National Cruise
enter service in early 2025 as the first ship on the Committee.
Oarai-Tomakomai route, the MOL Group will oper-

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