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Latest Ferry NewsThe latest ferry news for December 2007 is below:
Stena Line ferry boomDate: 12 Dec 2007Source: Stena Line Ferry sailings are booming and latest statistics from Stena Line show leisure travel growth of more than 15% year on year (based on car volumes) on the Irish Sea in November 2007. Ferry travel with Stena Line to both the Republic and Northern Ireland showed an increase, of 17% and 13% respectively, based on car numbers. The increase equates to more than 5,000 additional cars being carried in the space of just one month across the company's Irish Sea routes. Each of Stena Line's Irish Sea routes showed significant growth, with the largest single increase being in car carryings on the Holyhead to Dublin route, which reported an increase of 19%. For more information or to book a crossing, please visit the following links: - Stena Line - Ferries to Ireland - Ferries to Northern Ireland Rosyth bid to land Norwegian ferry linkDate: 5 Dec 2007Source: The Scotsman Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson is being asked to lead a fresh drive to secure a ferry link between the Forth and Norway. Plans by a Norwegian consortium to establish a UK-Norway ferry service have been delayed following a decision to re-tender the route. But the postponement means a second chance for Rosyth to promote its claim for the link over those of rivals Newcastle and Hull. And Labour MSP John Park wants Mr Stevenson to put his weight behind the Rosyth bid, which he says could transform the Fife port into a European transport hub and give a major boost to the east of Scotland economy. The new service would go from the Norwegian port of Kristiansund to Lerwick in Shetland and on to Roysth, where freight bound for the continent could be transferred to the existing Rosyth- Zeebrugge ferry. Transport experts believe the new service would attract major freight business, offer a new tourist route between Scotland and Scandinavia and help restore a daily Zeebrugge service. Norway has been planning a ferry to the UK for more than three years. But a statement last week from Norshukon Link, the consortium of councils and transport firms behind the plan, said the route was being put out to tender again following a decision not to award the service to any of the five potential operators. It said: "The decision to re-advertise was taken as a result of careful consideration of the information submitted by bidders and took into account key factors such as escalating fuel costs and vessel charter rate." Mr Park, MSP for mid-Scotland and Fife, said an announcement on the successful bid had been expected by the end of November and the announcement would now mean a delay of at least six months. He said: "I am disappointed we are facing another delay on the decision on the Norway ferry service. Rosyth has the capacity and potential to build on the existing Zeebrugge service to become a continental shipping hub. "I will be writing to the minister and calling on the Scottish Government to set up a group for interested parties to work together to secure this service for Rosyth. "This needs a commitment at the most senior level if we are serious about trying to make Rosyth what we want - an international port. "I believe the Fife yard is best placed to become the UK hub of this new European service and I will be working hard to try and achieve this." The revised timetable for the bid will see expressions of interest being sought immediately, with a preferred operator being appointed in spring 2008. The initial bids will be for a freight-only service with the possibility of extending it to include passengers and cars later on. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Mr Stevenson will be happy to meet with Mr Park to discuss this matter." New Ireland / France Cruise Ferry enters serviceDate: 3 Dec 2007Source: Irish Ferries Ex Color Line ferry sets sail on the anniversary of the death of the famous writer she is named after... Irish Ferries new Ireland/France cruise ferry 'Oscar Wilde' will begin scheduled sailings between Rosslare and Cherbourg on the 30th November 2007, departing from the Wexford port at 16.00hrs. By coincidence, the first sailing took place exactly 107 years to the day since the death of Oscar Wilde in Paris on 30th November 1900. Considered to be one of the most luxurious vessels of its type, the 'Oscar Wilde' was purchased by Irish Ferries last January at a cost of EUR45million. Since then, it has spent some weeks in a shipyard in Denmark where a number of new facilities, interior styling improvements and technical modifications were carried out in preparation for its introduction on Ireland/France routes. These improvements bring total investment in the new vessel to over EUR50 million. Work carried out included the construction of two new state of the art 55-seat cinemas, the restyling of restaurants, bistros, lounge bars, children's play areas and other passenger facilities in themes that will reflect the link with 'Oscar Wilde'. This included a major upgrade to the main restaurant - the Left Bank Brasserie. Other items included the creation of a new hair and beauty salon, revamping of the main reception area, the provision of 130 new reclining seats, the fitting of new passenger information signs, the re-branding of the vessel in Irish Ferries livery and the installation of an extra bow thruster. A formal renaming ceremony will take place in Dublin in the New Year. Previously owned by Norwegian ferry operator Color Line, for whom it serviced the Baltic Sea route between Oslo and Kiel under the name 'Kronprins Harald', the 31,914 tonnes 'Oscar Wilde' was built in Turku, Finland in 1987. Substantially larger and significantly more luxurious than the vessel it replaces, it is the third vessel in the Irish Ferries fleet whose name has been inspired by a leading figure from the world of Irish literature. With sleeker lines and excellent sea going qualities, it will have a faster speed of 21.5 knots (delivered by four more powerful engines) delivering a saving of one hour on current crossing times. With eleven decks, it will carry up to 1,458 passengers and 580 cars - an increase of 160 cars/40%. Its extra vehicle lane metres (1,220 versus 645) will be reflected in significantly greater freight vehicle capacity (62 units versus 43). Other good news for car and freight drivers alike is the fact that cars will have their own deck separate from the freight deck. On board, passengers will be impressed with the range and quality of cabins. They include 2, 3, 4 and 5-star cabins, all located above the waterline and all with their own en-suite facilities. Accommodation in 2 and 3-star cabins includes two and four bed units, available with/without window. Overnights are made even more comfortable thanks to fewer bunk beds and more beds positioned at floor level. In the more luxurious 4-star cabins, where two and four bed options are available, passengers will enjoy the added luxury of a television, mini bar, fruit basket, trouser press and hairdryer. These features are replicated in top-of-the-range 5-star suites equipped with double beds. Personalised cabin service and inclusive waiter service breakfast also forms part of the 5-star service. Good news for parents is that baby cots can be accommodated in all 3, 4 and 5-star cabins. Commenting, Irish Ferries Marketing Director, Tony Kelly said 'With its new name and modern on-board facilities, the ''Oscar Wilde'' presents us with wide-ranging opportunities to re-brand and revitalise our Ireland/France service in a manner that will have very positive benefits in the future'. 'Bigger, better and faster than the vessel it will replace, with greater car and freight capacity, more berths and a wider choice of stylish cabin accommodation, the ''Oscar Wilde'' will bring new standards of comfort and luxury to our long established Ireland - France service', Mr. Kelly said. For more information or to book a crossing, please visit the following links: - Irish Ferries - Ferries to Ireland - Ferries to France Scotland Norway ferry link bids rejectedDate: 1 Dec 2007Source: BBC News Bids to run a passenger ferry from Fife to Scandinavia via Shetland have been rejected by a Norwegian consortium. Five operators along the east coast were invited to submit bids for the service. It is understood that only two proposals were actually received. Both have been turned down and the tender will now be readvertised with more focus on freight traffic. South East Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) said it still hopes the service will come to Rosyth. Director Alex MacAulay told BBC Scotland's news website: "I'm disappointed that the current tender process has not resulted in a successful bid. "However, I am encouraged that they are going back out to the market and will urge them to look again at Rosyth as a landing base." Commercial passengers A major concern was understood to be whether there was enough demand from car and foot passengers to sustain the service. Focus will now centre on a roll-on roll-off ferry but with the option of a small number of commercial passengers travelling. A tender for the route was advertised to meet a demand for a freight route from Scandinavia to mainland Europe via the UK. Newcastle and Hull had also been interested in bidding for the service. To book a ferry to Norway from both Newcastle, please visit our Ferries to Norway page. |
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