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Latest ferry news for September 2007
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Five shortlisted for new ferry link
Date: 18 Sep 2007 Source: Shetland Marine NewsFive shipping lines have been invited to tender for the proposed new cargo and passenger service between Kristiansund, in Norway, Shetland, and a not yet specified port on the UK mainland.
Norshukon, the consortium behind the initiative, said yesterday (Monday) that they were delighted with the response to their Europe wide advertising campaign which generated 11 expressions of interests.
The invited companies now have until 22 October to submit full tender documents. A preferred tender is expected to be appointed by early November.
Norshukon Link aims to provide a ‘Motorway of the Sea’ ferry link between mid Norway and the UK, possibly Rosyth or Newcastle, to move large amounts of cargo from road to sea transport which is deemed more environmentally friendly. The initiative also hopes to boost tourism to the area.
Involved in the project are Møregruppen AS, a Norwegian consortium of private and public interests, public investment firm Shetland Development Trust and ZetTrans, the Shetland Transport Partnership.
The group hopes to access European funding pots, in particular TEN-T funding, which have been set up to encourage more environmentally friendly transport links, and also improving access to remote regions and islands.
Ferry Travel on the up
Date: 18 Sep 2007 Source: Travel MoleFerry travel in August showed a significant increase in car and passenger travel.
Car carryings from the UK to the Continent showed a 4.6% increase in August and a 2.7% increase year to date.
On Short Sea routes, car journeys were up by 9.5% in August and 6.4% year to date, while passenger ferry travel was up by 5.3% in August and 3.6% year to date.
But North Sea routes have suffered a reduction in carryings, primarily due to the withdrawal of the large high speed ferry - the HSS - on the Harwich - Hook route.
Bill Gibbons, director of the Passenger Shipping Association, said: "We have seen this continuing trend for over a year now and I am confident it is here to stay.
"The ferry industry has worked hard over a number of years to make the experience better for customers and it is now finally paying off.
"Customers now realise the convenience and hassle-free nature of ferry travel and the numerous benefits such as shorter check-in times, the freedom of travelling with their own car - taking as much luggage as they can fit in or on top of their cars at no extra cost - and the opportunity to relax onboard modern luxury cruise style ships.
"The boost in ferry travel throughout August suggests that many holidaymakers are using ferries as an alternative to travel by air and we expect this to continue."
The figures are produced by IRN research in conjunction with the Passenger Shipping Association and exclude Scottish routes.
Oscar Wilde' joins Irish Ferries fleet
Date: 14 Sep 2007 Source: Irish FerriesIrish Ferries has just taken delivery of its new €45m Ireland / France cruise ferry, Oscar Wilde.
The company took delivery of the ferry, formerly the The Kronprins Harald', following the completion of its service on the Baltic Sea route between Oslo and Kiel under its previous owners, Norwegian ferry operator Color Line.
Set to commence service on the Rosslare / Cherbourg route in early December ahead of the 2008 summer season, the vessel is now due to spend the next four weeks in dry dock in the Danish port of Fredericia.
While in Fredericia the Oscar Wilde will be given some new facilities, interior styling improvements and some minor technical modifications will also be made before it begins operations into and out of of Rosslare.
This work will includee 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, including a major upgrade to the main restaurant the Left Bank Brasserie and the fitting of an extra bow thruster for improved manoeuvrability,
Built in Turku, Finland in 1987, the 31,914-tonne Oscar Wilde is substantially larger and significantly more luxurious than the vessel it replaces,' said Irish Ferries Marketing Director, Tony Kelly, referring to the Normandy.
Purchased last January at a cost of €45m, 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, following Ulysses' and Jonathan Swift'.
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,' said Mr. Kelly.
With eleven decks, Oscar Wilde will carry up to 1,458 passengers and 580 cars an increase of 160 cars on the Normandy. It will also carry 19 more freight vehicles, increasing the capacity from 43 to 62.
To book an Irish Ferries ferry ticket, please visit our Irish Ferries page.
Shipwreck sitting in path of Great Yarmouth harbour
Date: 6 Sep 2007 Source: Yarmouth MercuryMajor construction at the site of Great Yarmouth's £50m outer harbour will soon turn into a delicate operation to raise a 34-year-old shipwreck.
The ruins of the Dutch coaster Polaris lie on the seabed about 100 metres from the shoreline in the middle of the outer harbour site, hampering work. In about a month's time the wreckage, visible at low tide, will be removed to pave the way for a project tipped to signal a change in the town's fortunes.
The removal of the historic wreck is just one of the many changes happening around the site with derelict wasteland transformed into a hive of activity with portable buildings, flood lights, diggers and tonnes of rock.
Work will continue on the northern breakwaters which sprout more than 200 metres into the sea from the shoreline while the wreck is being removed.
Steve Hewitt said: “The wreck is in the middle of the site so it has to be cleared. It will be picked up at low tide and the area will be surveyed to make sure everything has been removed.”
In February, 1973, the 353 ton Polaris was on route from Scotland to Rotterdam carrying a cargo of cattle feed when she collided with Spanish tanker Fenol, 40 miles off Yarmouth.
No one was hurt but the collision left a gaping hole in the side of the 143ft Polaris. Her crew managed to board the Fenol, later transferring to the rig supply ship Titan Service which had responded to the Mayday calls.
It towed the stricken vessel towards shore but it was refused entry into the harbour over fears that the Polaris could sink in the harbour's mouth or in the Yare, bringing the port to a standstill. At that time Norfolk Line's roll-on/roll-off ferries between Yarmouth and Sheveningen in Holland were entering and leaving three times a day.
In a back up plan the Dutch coaster was run aground on South Beach with the aim to repair and refloat her. These attempts also failed with the Polaris ploughing on to the shore in front of the former South Denes Caravan Camp. Three days later she capsized.
A wrangle then broke out over who should pay for her recovery and despite several bids a salvage contract was never agreed.
In September 1973 a salvage team tried to refloat the boat by inflating a barrage balloon in the hold but jagged metal ripped the bags as they filled with air.
Meanwhile, yesterday marked the official launch of the outer harbour project with about 500 people expected to attend.
Mayor Paul Garrod said: “I know many people have harboured doubts about this proposed scheme ever taking place. But our once distant dream has become a reality.
The continuing support and enthusiasm for the project has been nothing less than outstanding and it has carried us forward to the point where we find ourselves today.
“We can all take pride in this venture. It is a symbolic statement about the confidence that we have in our borough,” he added.
The harbour is expected to be completed by autumn 2008 and the Port Company is hopeful a deal can be struck with a passenger ferry line - opening a wealth of opportunities for the town.
Stena’s £1.4bn ferry investment
Date: 4 Sep 2007 Source: Stena LineFerry operator Stena Line says road congestion and rising fuel prices are behind its decision to invest £1.4bn in two vessels to transport up to 500 trucks between Harwich and Rotterdam. The two RoPax vessels will go into service in 2011 and be sister ships to the Stena Trader and the Stena Traveller, which went into service on the North Sea earlier this year.
Stena says they will be equipped with the latest energy-management technology in order to minimise their environmental impact. Each ship will have 3,100 lane metres which can hold up to 250 units. The ferry company currently offers more than 30 daily crossings on six routes, including four daily crossings on its Harwich-Hook of Holland route.
A Stena Line spokesman says increasing congestion in the South-East means freight operators are looking for alternative routes into and out of the UK.
He adds: "Stena Line Freight has also identified that shorter travel times are also very popular with freight businesses as they fit their business needs. Plus, the new legal requirements mean drivers need to be rested - the sailing provides the perfect rest period and they can arrive at their destination ready for work."
Rugby World Cup by Ferry
Date: 3 Sep 2007 Source: Directferries.co.ukThe 2007 Rugby World Cup is just around the corner and with the majority of this years tournament taking place in France, there is no better way of getting to the games than by ferry!
Thats why we have created a Rugby World Cup guide to give you all the information you need in order to plan your trip to the stadiums.
For more information, please visit the following pages:
- Rugby World Cup Guide
- Rugby World Cup Fixture List
- Travel to the Rugby World Cup by Ferry
© Direct Ferries Ltd
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