No Change For The IOMSPCO.

The company announced on 11th October that, following a public consultation and a review of options, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company had decided to retain its route between Belfast and Douglas in 2018. Following successful berthing trials of both its vessels, the Company had been considering the advantages and disadvantages of relocating services to the Northern Irish port of Larne and ran a three-week survey to gather public views. There were more than 3,000 responses to the online survey, run by a professional research company and promoted through the Steam Packet Company’s website and social media channels as well as being shared directly with customers who have used the Douglas-Belfast route. While the idea of relocating to Larne received broad support as Belfast currently has some linkspan weight restrictions, the consultation also demonstrated many foot passengers appreciate the convenience of sailing into Belfast city centre. The company decided that for 2018 it will continue to operate to and from Belfast, but will seek further dialogue with Belfast Harbour authorities to improve the linkspan facilities to provide a service for the transportation of larger vehicles which can be taken on the Manannan from other ports.

Another Order For Austal

On 8th October the run of new orders for Austal continued with the announcement of a €126 million contract for two 117m trimaran fast ferries for long term customer Fred. Olsen S.A. of the Canary Islands, Spain. The aluminium trimarans (above), designed by Austal Australia, will be the second and third trimarans to be delivered to Fred. Olsen S.A. who already operate the world’s first and largest trimaran vehicle passenger ferry, the 8,973gt Benchijigua Express, designed and built by Austal in 2005. The two new trimarans will each be capable of transporting over 1,100 passengers and up to 276 cars at speeds of up to 38 knots, with both commencing construction in 2018. The vessels are due for delivery in 29 and 36 months. The build location for the vessels will be announced separately.

New Name Revealed

On 8th October Irish Ferries revealed the name of its new €144 million cruise ferry. She will be christened W.B. Yeats after Ireland’s most-loved poet upon arrival in Dublin next year. The name was chosen after it had drawn ‘strong support’ from the public in a competition that attracted nearly 100,000 entries from both sides of the Irish Sea. When delivered, the W.B. Yeats will have space for 1,885 passengers and crew, 1,200 cars and 440 cabins including luxury suites with their own private balconies. The new vessel, being built by FSG in Flensburg, Germany, is expected to sail on Dublin/Holyhead and Ireland/France routes from mid-summer 2018.

Refurbishment For 3rd Raptor

Cross-Solent operator Red Funnel revealed on 27th September the long awaited news that it is to spend £3m on a major refurbishment of the 4,075gt 1996 built Ro-Pax ferry Red Eagle (above) in the New Year. The work will be similar to the new look given to the 4,128gt 1994 built Red Falcon and Red Osprey in 2014 and 2015 and will be carried out by local marine businesses. The main contract has been awarded to Trimline in Southampton, with aluminium fabrication work contracted to Wight Shipyard Ltd. in East Cowes.

Further Growth For Stena Line …..And P&O

The demand for freight capacity in the Baltic Sea has been growing steadily over the last few years and Stena Line is supporting this growth through investing in a new route from Poland to Sweden, namely Gdynia-Nynäshamn, which commenced operations from 16th October with six trips a week. Stena Line already operates a route from Gdynia to Karlskrona, and has done so for over 20 years. The new service is operated by the chartered 10,471gt 1999 built Ro-Ro vessel Elisabeth Russ which is a freight only ferry carrying a mix of accompanied trucks, trailers and containers. The 153m long and 1,625 lanemetre capacity ship will operate 3 round trips with a sailing time of 18 hours. On 28th September the company announced plans to increase capacity on the Rotterdam-Killingholme service in January 2018. Including a previous announcement, Stena Line will consequently increase the total capacity from Europoort by some 20%.

The chartered 10,488gt 1999 built Caroline Russ (above) is being replaced in January 2018 when the charter expires. The route will then feature the Godby Shipping of Finland owned 5,586gt 2007 built Misida and Misana with another ship (not yet identified by Stena) joining the 13,017gt 1996 built Stena Scotia on the Rotterdam-Harwich service in January 2018. Meanwhile the 20,028gt 1982 built former Stena Line ferry Sunny (ex-Trelleborg) has been sold for scrap.

Adria Ferries has chartered the 24,418gt 2001 built Stena Egeria for a year to operate between Ancona and Durrës under the name AF Michela. P&O Ferries revealed on 16th October that the operator had seen the highest number of lorries and trailers travelling on its ferries between Larne and Cairnryan in the third quarter of the year than it has in any third quarter of the year since 2011. The company carried 53,305 lorries and trailers on its ships in the months of July, August and September. This figure represents a 3.3% increase on the same quarter last year. P&O Ferries operates seven sailings a day between Larne and Cairnryan using two sister vessels, European Causeway (20,646gt 2000 built) and European Highlander (21,188gt 2002 built).

New CMA CGM Ro-Ro Service

The French operator has chartered the 21,171gt 2004 built Stena Carrier (above) and 21,104gt 1998 built Ark Forwarder for their new Morocco Express service. The service commenced on 21st October simultaneously from Tangiers and Marseille.