Read Authentic Ratings for the Kaunas

On September 16, the Moroccan shipping line Africa Morocco Link (AML) introduced its latest roll-on/roll-off service connecting Tangier Med to Algeciras. This new service is being operated by the vessel 'Kaunas,' which is owned by Agalink Investment Co. The 'Kaunas' is sub-chartered to UKR Ferry and is part of the same fleet series as the 'Vilnius,' currently utilized by InterShipping for its routes. This development promises to enhance maritime trade and passenger transport between Morocco and Spain.

Ukraine is set to reinstate its RoPax ferry service connecting Chornomorsk and Batumi, with the vessel 'Kaunas' scheduled for operations starting July 9, 2024. This marks a significant milestone since the onset of the Russian invasion, as Ukraine aims to revitalize its exports and restore foreign trade. The route, which takes approximately 61 hours to reach Batumi on Georgia's southern coast, represents a strategic move following efforts in April and May to recommence container shipping operations. Urkferry has been pivotal in this route's history, first launching services in December 1996. Following a pause, Ukrferry resumed activities in July 2023 using the ferry 'Vilnius' to operate between Romania and Georgia. In addition, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority indicated that discussions are ongoing to revive ferry connections to Baku. Almost a decade ago, Ukraine announced a halt to all shipments through Russia, establishing the ferry service in 2016 as part of the Trans-Caspian corridor created to navigate around Russia, mainly to facilitate trade with China, focusing on export routes for grain and metal goods. The decision to restart ferry operations coincides with the recent expansion of container shipping services. At the end of May, Hapag-Lloyd resumed its feeder service from Chornomorsk to Constanta, Romania, following a Turkish freight forwarder's reactivation of the route with chartered vessels. Meanwhile, Maersk, in collaboration with Iteris, is reintroducing its deep-sea services after previously shifting containers through the Danube River. MSC Mediterranean Shipping is also set to bring back its feeder service from Odesa this month. All parties have reported robust demand for these services, with Hapag noting substantial bookings following the announcement of their Danube operations. The push to rejuvenate deep-sea port capabilities aligns with Ukrainian officials' aspirations to expand direct service routes to Turkey and Egypt. After the resumption of these shipping services, cargo volumes have already doubled, and officials are optimistic about quickly reaching levels seen before the war.

On November 1, 2023, the last six of twelve migrants were safely disembarked from the ferry 'Kaunas Seaways' after an extended three-month stay onboard. These individuals were transported to their home countries via flights from Odessa Airport and Turkey. Earlier, on October 29, another group of six migrants had already been repatriated to Algeria. The remaining individuals are currently en route to Morocco. The migrants initially boarded the 'Kaunas Seaways' concealed within goods trailers that had departed from Turkey on July 27.