Update 25.07.19: Radio Canada reported yesterday (in French) that CLIPPER RANGER has arrived in Canada. Seatruck have also posted a photo of her in Canada to Facebook.
Update 16.07.19 @ 00:50: Radio Canada report (in French) that CLIPPER RANGER has been chartered to CTMA for one year with an option to purchase. CTMA are still currently negotiating their contract to provide services with the Quebec government, with the current contract set to expire on March 31st. NIFS understands that both Seatruck and CTMA crew are on board and that the vessel WILL be replacing C.T.M.A VOYAGEUR (ex ANDERIDA)
Update 15.07.19 @ 09:50: Seatruck Ferries posted the following Facebook status a short time ago:
The Seatruck Ferries owned Ro-Ro freight ferry CLIPPER RANGER left Birkenhead for Cap-Aux-Meules in Canada yesterday. The 1998-built vessel is currently expected to arrive at her destination on July 24th and has been available for sale since she became surplus to Seatruck requirements following the return of SEATRUCK PERFORMANCE and SEATRUCK PRECISION from charter at Stena Line. It is not yet clear who her new operator is or whether she has been sold or just chartered, but her destination Cap-Aux-Meules suggests that Canada’s Coopérative de Transport Maritime et Aérien (CTMA) may be involved. CTMA currently operate three former Irish Sea vessels including the veteran 1971-built Ro-Ro C.T.M.A. VOYAGEUR, better known in our waters as Sealink’s ANDERIDA. Also part of the fleet are C.T.M.A VACANCIER (previously Irish Continental’s ST PATRICK II which had spells on the Belfast to Liverpool route) and MADELEINE (previously B&I Line and Irish Ferries LEINSTER, ISLE OF INISHMORE, and ISLE OF INISHTURK).
CLIPPER RANGER is a sister-ship to ARROW which is on long-term charter to the Isle of Man Steam Packet but currently sub-chartered to Condor Ferries, and the Northlink freighters HELLIAR and HILDASAY. She is the former RR CHALLENGE / CHALLENGE and LEMBITU and has operated to Heysham from Larne, Belfast, Warrenpoint, and Dublin as well as between Dublin and Liverpool in the past. CLIPPER RANGER had previously been linked with a sale or long term charter to act as a backup vessel for Caledonian MacBrayne, but agreeable terms could not be reached.
In other Seatruck Ferries news, SEATRUCK POWER entered dry dock at Cammell Laird Birkenhead yesterday, while sister-ship SEATRUCK PROGRESS has returned to service following her own spell in dry dock. SEATRUCK PRECISION remains on the Dublin to Liverpool route with CLIPPER POINT still taking her place on the Warrenpoint to Heysham service opposite SEATRUCK PERFORMANCE.
| CLIPPER RANGER | |
| IMO Number: | 9919402 |
| Built: | 1998, Astilleros de Huelva [ES] |
| Gross Tonnage: | 7,606 |
| Capacity: | 1,057 lane metres |
| Passengers: | 12 |
| Crew: | 20 |
