Ferry News Archive
Call for new ferries for Northern Isles Northlink ferry service
Date: 27 Jan 2006 00:00 Source: Shetland TimesA Leading academic has called for the Northern Isles ferries Hjaltland and Hrossey to be replaced after branding them among the most inefficient ships built in recent years.
A hard-hitting report by Alf Baird of Napier University's Transport Research Institute concludes that replacing the Hjaltland, Hrossey and two cargo vessels operated by Northlink with two larger ferries would save £10m a year.
"This would virtually double present freight/car capacity at no additional cost and offers scope for adding more cabins on a longer hull," the report claims.
"The specific cost saving is equivalent to in excess of £60m over each six-year contract period giving a saving of some £554m over the 25-year expected lifetime of a ship.
"The Hjaltland and Hrossey appear to be two of the most inefficient and environmentally unfriendly ships built in recent years by virtue of their single freight deck, extremely high installed power and hence very high fuel consumption relative to payload."
The report also claims it would be necessary to use Peterhead and Rosyth rather than Aberdeen because Aberdeen harbour is unable to accommodate 186-metre ferries.
According to Dr Baird ferries would need to have a length at least 186 metres to make real savings. Even ships with a length of around 165 metres (the same length as the Smyril Line ferry Norröna) are fuel inefficient.
Ferries of around 186 metres would also be cheaper to buy as they are mass produced on production lines at shipping yards around the world whereas smaller ferries have to be custom-built at greater expense.
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Grimaldi Ferries splashes out on new ships
Date: 26 Jan 2006 Source: Lloyds list
Grimaldi Ferries continues to invest heavily in support of its car ferry business, both on the intra-European routes and trades between Europe and West Africa and South America.
The Naples-based company placed a series of orders for new ro-ro ships over the past year, and most of these will have at least some capacity for car shipments.
Overall in 2005, contracts worth at least €1bn ($1.2bn) were signed, for up to 11 cruise ferries, ro-pax vessels and multipurpose ro-ro ships.
As a result, Grimaldi now has 13 new ro-ro ships confirmed for delivery by 2009.
Fincantieri of Italy will build up to six new ferries of two different classes for Grimaldi’s Mediterranean network.
Four of these, including two options, will be cruise ferries, with 3,050 lane metres of deck capacity, while two will be ro-pax type vessels with space for 2,700 lane metres of ro-ro cargo.
Grimaldi has also signed a deal with the Croatian yard, Uljanik, for two multi-purpose ro-ro ships for its West Africa and South America service networks.
These vessels, which have 2,500 lane metres of cargo space, will be handed over in 2008 and 2009, along with three sister ships that were ordered in 2004.
Uljanik is also building two car carriers for Grimaldi which are due for delivery in the coming year.
As well as spending on new vessels, Grimaldi is actively building up its terminal network.
In Antwerp, for example a further 150,000 sq m of terminal space, serving a new 500m long berth, has recently been commissioned at Grimaldi’s Antwerp Euroterminal facility.
As a result the terminal can now handle five ocean-going vessels and at least one barge at the same time.
Since it opened in 2001, AET has recorded consistent growth, making it one of Grimaldi’s most important hubs.
In 2005, the terminal handled around 500,000 cars, up from 450,000 units in 2004, and to keep pace with demand a further € 30m is expected to be invested by Grimaldi in AET by 2010.
Another key terminal project for Grimaldi is taking shape in Lagos, Nigeria. Vessels are expected to start berthing at the new Tin Can Island terminal this spring.
Facilities being created as part of a $60m project include a 250m long quay and a 170,000 sq m terminal area.
Having financed the development, Grimaldi has a 25-year concession to operate the terminal which is served by Grimaldi’s West Africa Southern Express service as well as a ro-ro shuttle to Dakar and Monrovia.
More Ferry News from directferries.co.uk
Date: 18 May 2012 Source: Brittany Ferries
Travel to France this Summer with Brittany Ferries by car with an additional passenger from just £175 return or from £87.50 return if you travel by motorbike (rider and pillion).
Date: 14 May 2012 Source: Grandi Navi Veloci
Italian ferry giant Grandi Navi Veloci have opened 2 new services connecting France with Morocco.
Date: 08 May 2012 Source: Brittany Ferries
Spend up to 2 days in France from just £99 return when you travel with Brittany Ferries by car and take an additional passenger or from £49.50 if you travel by motorbike (rider and pillion).
Date: 05 May 2012 Source: Corsica Sardinia Ferries
If you're planning on travelling to Corsica, Sardinia or Elba this Summer with Corsica Sardinia Ferries then take a look at our new ship guides and find out what it's like onboard before you travel!
Date: 01 May 2012 Source: DFDS Seaways
Take your car by ferry to France with DFDS Seaways from Dover to Dunkirk or Calais from just £19 return.
Date: 01 May 2012 Source: P&O Ferries
Spend up to 5 days abroad and pay just £49 return when you travel from Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries.
Date: 30 April 2012 Source: Toremar
Italian ferry operator Toremar is now available to be booked online across the direct ferries network.
Date: 25 April 2012 Source: P&O Irish Sea
Take your car on the ferry between Scotland and Northern Ireland with P&O Ferries and take a second passenger for FREE – a saving of up to £50 on a return crossing!
Date: 18 April 2012 Source: Stena Line
Take your car on any ferry to Northern Ireland or Ireland with Stena Line and take a second passenger for FREE – a saving of up to £50 on a return crossing!
Date: 16 April 2012 Source: Irish Ferries
You can now save up to 30% when you take the ferry to Ireland between Monday and Thursday in April and May with Irish Ferries.