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Latest ferry news for May 2009

Date Source Title
21 May 2009Directferries.co.ukNew Rosyth Zeebrugge ferry completes maiden voyage
5 May 2009Lloyds ListNew LD Lines ferry heads for Dover
4 May 2009thisissouthwales.co.ukSwansea Cork Ferry will not sail in 2009

New Rosyth Zeebrugge ferry completes maiden voyage

Date: 21 May 2009 Source: Directferries.co.uk

The first voyage of the new ferry service linking Scotland to mainland Europe has just been completed.

The Scottish Viking, which will sail between Rosyth in Fife and Zeebrugge in Belgium three times a week, finished its maiden voyage this week and passengers were welcomed off the ship by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond as it arrived into the Scottish port.

He said: "I'm delighted to welcome the Scottish Viking and its first homecoming passengers to Scotland... Maintaining connections with major European markets is vital for Scotland at a time of global economic challenges.

"But not only will the Scottish Viking allow access to important commercial contacts, it will be a boost for the local economy in Fife, and an environmentally friendly route home for Scotland's friends, family and visitors."

The ferry, run by Norfolkline, took over the route after it was discontinued by Superfast Ferries in September last year. Its departure from Zeebrugge however was delayed by several hours on Monday when the captain suffered a non-fatal heart attack and a replacement had to be found.

The Scottish Viking was built in an Italian shipyard and registered in Italy, and is therefore required to have an Italian captain on board. However, the ferry service will receive €2 million (£1.8 million) from the Scottish Government through a Waterborne Freight Grant.

As part of his welcome, the First Minister gave each passenger on the Scottish Viking's maiden journey a special ticket offer for The Gathering, an international clan gathering due to take place in Edinburgh in July.

The Gathering is part of Scotland's Homecoming Year celebrations, a series of events and festivities taking place throughout 2009 that are designed to put people from across the world back in touch with their Scottish roots.

For more information on the new ferry service or to make a booking, please visit our Norfolkline page.

New LD Lines ferry heads for Dover

Date: 5 May 2009 Source: Lloyds List

LD Lines new high-speed ferry Norman Arrow , pictured, left Hobart over the weekend to travel the 11,726 miles to Dover, where it is due to arrive on May 23, writes Sandra Speares.

The 11,000 gt vessel will become the largest ever fast ferry to operate on the cross-Channel route between Dover and Boulogne and the first freight carrying high-speed vessel across the Dover Straits.

LD Lines will begin its service on May 29.

Norman Arrow is also the world’s largest diesel-powered catamaran and the first Incat-built 112 m craft to operate in Europe.

When the ferry enters service, LD Lines will move from two return sailings daily by conventional ferry Cote d’Albatre to six. The fast ferry will make the crossing in one hour and will carry all types of traffic including vehicles, coaches and foot passengers, as well as freight.

The ferry will have a service speed of 40 knots and capacity of 1,200 passengers and 417 cars.

Swansea Cork Ferry will not sail in 2009

Date: 4 May 2009 Source: thisissouthwales.co.uk

The launch of the new Swansea to Cork ferry has run aground again.

It was hoped a new ship would run the route between Wales and the Irish Republic next month.

But the co-operative aiming to restart the service says it will not run until early next year.

The delay has been blamed on the lengthy negotiations to secure the vessel and many travellers already having made alternative arrangements for this year.

It will now set sail for the first time on St David's Day 2010.

Last month, hundreds of shareholders voted in favour of forming a co-operative to purchase the 340-cabin, 1,400-passenger ferry MS Julia to run the route.

It will operate under The name of Fastnet Line.

© Direct Ferries Ltd