Update 16.01.19: A reliable source has told NI Ferry Site that LE RIF has definitely NOT been acquired by AML.
Update 15.01.19 @ 21:00: Ferry Baleàr (in Spanish) has reported (with a photo) that the paint on the port side of LE RIF has now been totally removed.
Reports from the Mediterranean indicate that veteran ferry LE RIF, which as reported by NIFS went into dry-dock in Italy last week, has indeed found a new operator – but it isn’t Seaborne Freight as previously suggested. There have been strong indications that the vessel is, in fact, being prepared for service with Moroccan operator AML (Africa Morocco Link). It appears that the intention is to use the former GALLOWAY PRINCESS / STENA GALLOWAY on the same Tangier Med – Algeciras route as before, but unlike the last company who planned to use her (DWLM) on the route, AML is already an established operator on the route with the necessary licences. LE RIF is already well proven on this route, having operated on it for previous owner IMTC since her sale to them by Stena in 2002 until she was laid up prior to that company going bankrupt in 2014. It has been suggested that the vessel is being recertified by Italy’s RINA, rather than Lloyds Register as before.
LE RIF had been linked with British newcomer Seaborne Freight recently, however, given her age and low freight capacity AML would appear a much more suitable destination rather than acting as a shuttle for freight overspill in the event on a “no-deal” Brexit for Seaborne.
Further Reading
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/finally-le-rif-goes-toaml-spyridon-roussos/
https://ferrybalear.blogspot.com/2019/01/un-reformado-por-completo-le-rif-podria.html (in Spanish)
