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Latest Ferry NewsThe latest ferry news for August 2006 is below:New Cross Channel fast ferries slow to materialiseDate: 31 Aug 2006Source: Fairplay The prospect of having one and possibly two fast ferry services operating from Dover following the demise of Hoverspeed appears very much in doubt, with the end of the peak summer season fast approaching. Euroferrys, the company led by former Hoverspeed executive Geoffrey Ede, has still not finalised the $29M acquisition of the ferry Spirit of Ontario, despite agreeing to purchase the vessel some time ago. The company also negotiated a lease on the Hoverport facility. However, a spokesman for Dover Harbour Board told Fairplay today that “The signed agreement has not yet been returned and the deadline has passed so the facility is still available.” In a statement earlier this week, Euroferrys’ Adrian Gillian indicated that the company is planning to purchase a second catamaran as well as ordering a third from builder Austal. Nothing has been heard for some time from Navmed, the second potential operator that emerged. Spain's Ferry crackdownDate: 31 Aug 2006Source: Fairplay Spain has imposed new maritime safety obligations on ferry services between the country’s North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and its southern ports of Almeria and Malaga. Ferry operator Acciona Trasmediterr-ánea will have to use ferries aged no older than 15 years and provide daily services to Ceuta and Melilla as from 1 October. The privately owned company will be fined if it fails to meet the new maritime safety obligations. For the first time in Spanish maritime history, Acciona Trasmediterranea will be obliged to employ private security guards and a doctor on vessels to Melilla. A Spanish government representative in Melilla said he believed Madrid wanted security guards on ferries to control rowdy behaviour during crossings. He dismissed any suggestion that the move was related to bomb threats or the presence of North African stowaways. Both Acciona Trasmediterránea and Spain’s merchant marine authority have refused to comment on the new regulations. Acciona Trasmediterránea will have to set a maximum tariff levels for passengers and vehicles that are linked to annual inflation and fuel rates. Spain awarded Acciona Trasmediterr-ánea the €41.64M ($53M) public tender to operate ferry services from Algeciras, Almeria and Malaga to Ceuta and Melilla for a five-year period Tallink plan to shed 260 jobs in Scandinavia after Silja takeoverDate: 29 Aug 2006Source: Lloyds List The cabins offer superb value for money and are equipped with an en-suite shower room and WC. Towels and bed linen are provided and there's plenty of space to hang your clothes too. For the ultimate in luxury, treat yourself treat yourself to a Club cabin for more space and a range of extras including a TV, bathrobes, telephone, fresh fruit, tea and coffee making facilities, stocked mini bar and complimentary breakfast. Euro Ferries under scrutinyDate: 28 Aug 2006Source: 13wham.com The buyer of a fast ferry continues to keep details about its financial ability to purchase the ship private. Euroferries Ltd has also not disclosed when it plans to close on the $29.8 million deal. Euroferries plans to run a competitive ferry service across the English Channel. British newspapers are giving some insight about why the deal is taking so long to close. On the Web, Euroferries promises the launch of its new ferry service is imminent. But the site has not been updated in almost six months. The story of Euroferries began when Hoverspeed closed for business. Last November, Hoverspeed decided to shut down it's high speed service in the English Channel. Four companies, Norfolkline, SpeedFerries, Sea France and P&O Ferries, already operate 10 ferries across the English Channel. P&O, the largest, lost $9.5 million in the first three months of 2006. When Hoverspeed was shut down by its parent company, it was owned by Geoffrey Ede. He is also the man now trying to launch Euroferries. According to the Port of Dover, Euroferries has a lease to operate, but has not signed the legal agreement. In a written statement, Euroferries said it has a “clear and well thought out strategy for this project.” The company is not prepared to share details. Mayor Duffy has said he is anxious for the sale to close and has set a deadline. He has not released that date publicly. Other interested companies continue to tour the Spirit of Ontario. The mayor said one company will take a second tour this week, but he would not provide more details. Greenpeace 'siege' over in FranceDate: 24 Aug 2006Source: BBC News French fishermen have agreed to lift their blockade of a Greenpeace ship off the southern port of Marseille. About 20 boats surrounded the Rainbow Warrior II ship after it sailed to the area on Wednesday to highlight the alleged over-fishing of blue-fin tuna. The blockade was being lifted after the crew agreed to be towed to an unknown location by a navy ship, officials say. The fishermen have accused Greenpeace of exaggerating the risks to tuna stocks in the Mediterranean. The dispute disrupted other vessels trying to use the port, including a number of cargo ships and ferries which were unable to set sail as planned. Trading accusations The French fishermen began their action on Wednesday morning, and threatened to intensify their protests. They denied Greenpeace's claims that blue-fin tuna was in danger of extinction in the Mediterranean, and also blamed Asian crews for any quota breaches. But Greenpeace France spokesman Pierre Ramel accused the fishermen of being in a state of denial about over-fishing. "All this is a little pathetic. This is a form of censorship organised by a group of industrial fishermen who own very high-performing fleets and huge fishing resources, and they have no intention of allowing any challenges to large-scale, industrial fishing," he told France Inter Radio. It is campaigning for an immediate ban on fishing to allow stocks to recover, and had wanted to enter Marseille to put its case. The fishermen blame other countries for illegal fishing and say a ban would destroy their livelihoods. A report by the WWF, the global environment campaign, said that last year, at least 40% more tuna was caught in the Mediterranean than is allowed by fishing quotas. The report blamed French fishermen, as well as those from Turkey, Libya and other countries, for the over-fishing. A French research institute has also said the fish stocks are being exploited in an unsustainable way, and says the growing fashion for sushi is to blame. MP wants review of Isle of Wight ferry faresDate: 23 Aug 2006Source: Portsmouth News A Campaign is growing to get the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to probe 'expensive' ferry prices between the mainland and Isle of Wight. Island MP Andrew Turner is urging commuters to send him past evidence of ticket prices to provide enough proof that fares charged by Wightlink and Red Funnel have risen out of kilter with costs in recent years. 'Without hard evidence of past fares, and of the extent to which users can or cannot move from one service to another, it will be much harder to make a successful case,' he said. 'I therefore appeal to anyone who may have this information going back over the last, say, five years, to send it to me.' Wightlink's fares have been rising ever since Australian bank Macquarie bought the Portsmouth-based company for about £230m. The firm, which has a turnover of about £50m a year, has changed its fare structure and removed multi-link tickets that were valid for a year – instead they are now valid for six months. If the OFT were persuaded to investigate, it could look at Red Funnel and Wightlink. If it found an abuse, it could ask them to drop prices. If the firms didn't agree, the OFT could refer the matter to the Competition Commission to look at whether there was a monopoly in the Solent market. But Andrew Willson, chief executive of Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries, denied the fares were high and said the company offered a 'varied package of fare options to its customers'. He said: 'There's not a monopolistic situation. There are two significant operators.' Jonathan Green, head of marketing and communications for Red Funnel, said: 'Red Funnel remains committed to providing year-round value-for-money fares, and believes its pricing strategy will stand up to scrutiny by external parties.' Channel Tunnel services resumeDate: 22 Aug 2006Source: Lloyds List Channel Tunnel services resumed at 16:00 today following earlier delays. More than 300 trains including Eurotunnel Shuttles, freight trains and the Eurostar passenger train will now return to normal operation. The traffic had been suspended from lunchtime on Monday 21st August after the Eurotunnel Railway Control Center detected smoke emanating from a lorry on a Truck Shuttle travelling from Folkestone to Calais. Traffic was partially restarted from 17:15 (CET), with backlogs being gradually reduced in the evening and throughout the night. The Channel Tunnel's design and its safety systems limited the consequences of this incident: the fire was detected at three points a few hundreds of meters apart. The Shuttle was immediately stopped, and the 4 other trains present in the tunnel were directed as quickly as possible towards the exit. Thanks to the service tunnel, British and French emergency services rapidly reached the area involved. The evacuation of the 34 persons onboard was immediate. The fire was swiftly brought under control, before it could spread. The higher air pressure which is maintained in the service tunnel and the powerful ventilation system enabled the smoke to be evacuated. Meticulous inspections were carried out throughout last night, but no major deterioration of the Tunnel's fixed equipment was discovered. Eurotunnel decided nevertheless to replace a section of the catenary at the location impacted by the incident. The Truck Shuttle which transported the vehicle at the origin of the incident was towed into France after midnight. Investigations are in progress to determine the precise causes. "This regrettable incident and its limited consequences demonstrate the appropriateness of our safety system, declared Jean-Pierre Trotignon, Chief Operating Officer. The structure's design, its rigorous maintenance, the quality of our emergency procedures and of our equipment were all put to the test yesterday, and have come through with flying colours. I wish to salute the attentiveness, the professionalism and the commitment of our teams and the efficiency of the emergency services. By choosing to use the Channel Tunnel, Eurotunnel customers know they can trust its transport system." Lorry fire closes the Channel TunnelDate: 21 Aug 2006Source: BBC kent Thirty-four people had to be led to safety following a fire on a lorry being carried on board a freight train in the Channel Tunnel. The operator Eurotunnel said it suspended rail services on Monday afternoon after a fire alarm went off. Lorry drivers were taken off the train in the north-running tunnel. A fire was put out about 7.5 miles (12km) from Folkestone. No-one was hurt. Eurostar said passengers were being told to expect "continuing delays". The incident happened at about 1230 BST. A spokesman for Eurostar said: "We are advising passengers to avoid travelling today if possible. Tickets can be exchanged for another day." He added the London to Paris and Brussels service has had access to one tunnel since 1600 BST, but it was a single line with a speed restriction. Four services have so far been cancelled. 'Clear backlog' Eurotunnel spokesman John Keefe said: "It was a freight shuttle going through with about 34 people on board, who have all been evacuated safely." He added the small fire was extinguished quickly. "Eurotunnel is conducting checks of the tunnel and its equipment. Once these investigations are completed, Eurotunnel will commence a progressive restart of commercial services." The company said it was hoped train services through the Channel Tunnel could be resumed later on Monday. "Unfortunately with this being a very busy time of year, it's going to take a few hours to clear the backlog once we've got started again," said Mr Keefe. A spokesman from Kent Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Folkestone, Deal and Ashford were sent to the scene, along with firefighters based at the tunnel, to help with efforts to reach the freight shuttle. The 30 passengers and four crew were escorted to the service tunnel. "Although smoke has been seen there has apparently been no flames and there have been no casualties," he said. French fire crews also attended the incident. Traffic using the tunnel has been diverted to Dover. For more information on alternative sailings, please visit either our Dover Ferry page or our Ferries to France page. Ferries pick up flight cancellationsDate: 15 Aug 2006Source: Lloyds List Ferries are proving an overflow option for all the airline passengers that have suffered cancelled flights, especially those on shorthaul flights into Europe, which have suffered the brunt of cancellations. The fact that the security level for ferries has not changed may also provide passengers with some reassurance. Yesterday Fairplay reported that SeaFrance had experienced a record weekend. While other lines are not claiming record carryings, they have all been busy but say this is the busiest time of the year and spare capacity is limited. A P&O Ferries spokesman told Fairplay: “There has been a significant increase in calls over the past few days with the call centre and web site being very busy. We still have some capacity but not a lot.” A similar comment was made by Brittany Ferries, where the spokesman also reported increased activity in booking calls and through the internet. “Being the busiest time of year we have very little spare capacity so probably not all the calls were converted to bookings.” Norfolkline also reported heavy carryings on its three new ships between Dover and Dunkirk. In the meantime Kent Police said they would keep a highly visible presence at ferry and other transport terminals. DFDS 2007 Timetables and fares now availableDate: 9 Aug 2006Source: DFDS Seaways If you're already planning a journey for 2007 from the UK to Scandinavia or Holland then read on... DFDS Seaways timetables and fares up to and including December 2007 are now live and bookable online! Best fares are always available if booked in advance and online so book now for the best value for 2007 travel. For more information, timetables, fares and bookings, please visit our DFDS Seaways page. SNCM partner quits to join rivalDate: 9 Aug 2006Source: Lloyds List Newly privatised French Mediterranean ferry operator SNCM has seen its long-time partner Compagnie Méridionale de Navigation quit to join forces with rival Corsica Ferries. The new pairing will now bid for the concession on subsidised ferry services between the French mainland and the island of Corsica, a major setback for SNCM’s prospects. CMN and Corsica Ferries indicated that they had not made a joint bid but had co-ordinated their separate bids for the concession, which is due to come into force at the start of next year. CMN, which shares the existing five-year concession with SNCM, confirmed that it would not be bidding for the new concession with its traditional partner, apparently in the belief that the new owners of SNCM were intent on taking CMN over rather than continuing to co-operate with it. According to a report yesterday, however, SNCM, which has been managed by Veolia Transport since it was privatised at the end of May, has accused CMN majority shareholder Stef-TFE of breaching a shareholder pact between them and indicated that it is ready to go to court to gain control of the company. In the absence of a renewal of its partnership with CMN, SNCM has given notice of its intention to bid for the concession alone, although it seems unlikely that it can obtain it without CMN’s three ro-pax vessels. News of the break-up of SNCM’s partnership with CMN follows the revelation at the end of last month that the European Commission is planning to investigate the €181m ($232m) recapitalisation of SNCM by the French government under the terms of the company’s recent privatisation. The revelation provoked concerns that, in the event that the French government is sanctioned by the commission, SNCM could find itself deprived of the resources it would need to meet its obligations under the terms of the concession. Corsica Ferries, which is controlled by the Lota family and claims to be the only ferry operator based in Corsica, said that it had submitted separate bids on its own account for each of the main lines covered by the public service ferry concession, claiming that it could save the Corsican authorities € 30m per year in relation to the existing concession. It said that it had nevertheless agreed to make a co-ordinated bid at the same with CMN to comply with the Corsican Assembly’s stated preference for an all-in package offer. Attica sells Superfast X 'Rosyth - Zeebrugge ferry' to VeoliaDate: 7 Aug 2006Source: Lloyds List Greece's Attica Group has pledged to continue operating its service between Scotland and Belgium in spite of the sale of the 2002-built Superfast X , the ship currently providing the link. The ice-class ro-pax vessel has been sold to French-based transport group Veolia Transport for € 112m ($144m). Attica announced at the same time that it intends replacing the vessel on the Rosyth-Zeebrugge Service. Delivery and final payment on the deal are scheduled for the start of 2007 and a decision on the vessel or vessels to be brought in is likely before that, said company spokesman and director Yannis Criticos. He added that the intention was to continue the service “uninterrupted”. According to the stocklisted company the transaction will yield capital gains of about €14m and boost its cash position by about €45m after debt repayment of €65m and various expenses. It “plans to use its cash balances mainly for the purpose of acquiring suitable tonnage to cover current and future requirements of cargo and passenger traffic,” said Attica. Superfast X is an exact sister of Superfast VII, VIII and IX , the HDW-built trio that in March were sold to Estonia’s Tallink Group for €310m. The latest sale appears even more profitable compared with the capital gain of €11m Attica booked on its three-ship deal with Tallink. Repayment of long-term debt after the deal earlier this year brought Attica’s gearing to historical low levels and enabled it to pay out €62.5m to shareholders this year. The departure of the Superfast X will reduce the prestigious Superfast ro-pax fleet to just four remaining vessels out of 12 four years ago. Attica also controls the Blue Star Ferries fleet, which is active in Greece and the Adriatic, and two freight ro-ros operated in the Baltic. Contacts at Veolia Transport yesterday were unable to immediately give details of their company’s plans for the ship. 6 buyers still in the Scandlines raceDate: 4 Aug 2006Source: Ship Pax Six potential buyers are currently working on their final bids for Danish ferry operator Scandlines. 13 companies placed indicative bids for highly profitable Scandlines in early June. The six potential buyers that now remain are Swedish ferry operator Stena Line, the Baltic Ferry Development Group (consisting of Allianz Capital Partners / LD Equity / Deutsche Seereederei), Swiss Crossfinanz, British private equity firm 3i, Sweden based Nordic Kapital, and a sixth, as yet unknown, company. According to speculations in Børsen, the Danish business newspaper that published the list, the sixth company could be one of the two venture capital firms BC Partners and Cinven, or German bank Norddeutsche Landesbank. The companies that are still in the race for Scandlines will submit their final bids before the end of August. Ferries set to compete with low-cost airlinesDate: 2 Aug 2006Source: Irishpost.co.uk Irish Ferries has started a battle with the low-cost airlines in a major tug-of-war for customers. Ireland’s largest ferry company has promised to take on airlines like Ryanair and easyjet their own game by adopting a low-fares model. In an unprecedented move the ferry company itself as a low-fares carrier — similar to the Ryanair model. And Irish Ferries has also followed the airline’s lead by offering big savings to those who book early. Its new pricing model gives bigger savings for those who book at least four weeks prior to travel. Irish Ferries’ British passenger manager Darragh O’Reilly said: “Gone are the traditional days of price vultures waiting until the last minute to book travel to take advantage of our low, low prices. From now on people will have to book in advance to guarantee getting our best price. And indeed if they do try to book at the last minute they will find that our prices have risen just as happens with the low-cost airlines. “This represents a massive investment in our commitment to the future and the new pricing levels. We are dedicated to offering this pricing model consistently.” The company said they had taken on board what their passengers were asking for and developed a fluid pricing structure which emulates the best elements of airline systems while retaining the traditional Irish Ferries’ offering. Customers can choose from several alternative crossings as well as having the choice of a club class seat and individual cabins. And they said that unlike the airlines all taxes were included in the quoted fare and customers could bring as much baggage as they like. Mr O’Reilly said: “Exploring Ireland is best done by car. “You can take yourself out of the city off the beaten track and into some of the most beautiful countryside in the world.” SNCM goes solo in Corsica tenderDate: 2 Aug 2006Source: Lloyds Register French ferry operator SNCM will bid alone – without long-time partner CMN – for the public service concession governing ferry routes from France to Corsica in a tender due to close on 4 August. SNCM was expected to bid jointly with CMN ('La Méridionale') but the latter has decided also to go its own way. The separation, which had been the subject of rumour for some time, has brought "regrets" on the SNCM side and "concern" from CMN. "It is a pity that we could not come to an agreement so far. However, things could change again by the year end", said a spokesman from SNCM. At CMN the split has triggered anxiety among staff, who are demandign more information about their company's future strategy for serving the Corsican trade. CMN only operates three ships and cannot on its own effectively respond to the tender. Under new rules adopted by the Corsican Assembly, it could bid for one or two isolated routes, one analyst said, but the Assembly is likely to favour the line proposing a service covering all Corsican ports. To offset the loss of its partner, newly-privatised SNCM has announced it is about to buy one ferry and modify two others to be able to meet the demands of the Corsican tender. Award of the concession, initially due in late August, is now expected in October, and it will come into effect on 1 January 2007.Corsica Ferries, SNCM's largest competitor for the tender, has so far not commented on the SNCM/CMN split. Interest grows in Transmanche FerriesDate: 1 Aug 2006Source: Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Interest in the takeover of French cross-Channel ferry operator Transmanche Ferries is growing significantly as the deadline for offers was expected to close at the end of July. The latest reported interest comes from Veolia Transport, which recently took a 28% stake in SNCM and is expected to take full control of the Marseilles-based company in the long run. Veolia's interest in TF illustrates the French group's intention to expand strongly in ferry trades in Northern and Southern Europe in the near future. Calais-Dover ferry specalist Seafrance has also registered an offer for TF in a move to expand its freight coverage on the Channel. Corsica Ferries is also said to be interested, as is Norfolk Line as it seeks to expand its freight ferry network in Europe. So far, the front runner has been Louis Dreyfus' LD Lines, which successfully took over the Le Havre-Portsmouth freight and passenger service suspended by P&O Ferries late last year. LD Lines there are benefits to be gain from a combination of the companies, both in terms of services offered and fleet deployed. TF currently operates two vessels on its Dieppe-Newhaven ferry line, the 600-passenger newbuilding Cote d'Albatre and the 1400-lane metre ro-pax Dieppe. In October, TF will take delivery of a further newbuilding, Seven Sisters, a sister to the Côte d'Albatre. Although still posting deficits, TF could turn out to be an attractive company for the winning bidder, since funds will be allocated to offset current deficits. The public body Conseil General de Seine Maritime will then withdraw from the direct operation of the line. Blind woman sails Irish Sea FerryDate: 1 Aug 2006Source: BBC News A blind woman has celebrated her 75th birthday by taking the helm of an Irish Sea passenger ferry for part of its crossing from Wales to Ireland. Blodwyn Phillips has completed a series of fund-raising challenges for charity Guide Dogs. Mrs Phillips, originally from Whitford, near Holywell, said sailing a ship would "complete the set" after flying a plane and driving cars and a train. She piloted the HSS Stena Explorer on its Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire sailing. Mrs Phillips, who has been blind since birth, said she decided four years ago to raise money for Guide Dogs after the charity had been "very helpful" to her. Speaking before her Irish Sea sailing she said: "I started doing challenges in 2002. "I've driven a car, rode a Harley Davidson, flown a plane over Liverpool and driven a steam train on the Llangollen railway for Guide Dogs. "Guide Dogs is celebrating 75 years this year and so am I, so I thought I'd do something. "Guide Dogs contacted Stena Lines in Holyhead and set this up. "I've done road, rail and flying, so sailing a boat will complete the set." Mrs Phillips, who now lives in Northwich, Cheshire, was joined on Saturday's 1345 BST fast ferry crossing by her husband, several friends, her guide dog Ufton and representatives from Guide Dogs. Stena Line communications manager Eamonn Hewitt said: "We are delighted to support Guide Dogs and Blodwyn. "She's already flown a plane and driven a car and a train and I'd congratulate her on doing this. "We are happy to be involved - it's a charity close to all our hearts." |
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