Ferry industry news roundup (wk 2 Apr ’17)

Artists impression of Vikings new cruiseferry which is expected to be delivered in 2020. Viking Line.

A roundup of some of the news from the ferry industry in recent weeks. Viking launches FSTR service with former Larne vessel HSC express, whilst competitor Linda Line sells one of their craft. HSC EXPRESS has started the latest chapter of her post-P&O career operating another service in the Baltic, this time for Viking Line as an additional vessel to their fast-conventional RoPax VIKING XPRS on the Helsinki – Tallinn route.  Marketed as Viking FSTR (though still officially named EXPRESS), the former P&O vessel is operating the popular route in competition with Tallink’s ‘Shuttle’ service for vehicles and passengers, Eckerö Line who also carry vehicles and passengers on FINLANDIA, and Linda Line, who only carry passengers.  The introduction of EXPRESS, which appears to be largely unchanged from her days operating from Larne, appears to be a response to Tallink’s introduction of the brand new MEGASTAR fast-conventional RoPax alongside STAR.  Meanwhile, Linda Line have sold one of … Read more

PR: ICG Cuts the first steel for new €144m cruise ferry

"This first steel cutting is more than symbolic and starts the practical construction of our new build. This investment underpins the confidence the Group has in both the freight and passenger tourism markets between Ireland, Britain and France”, Mr. Rothwell said.

Eamonn Rothwell, Chief Executive of Irish Continental Group plc accompanied by Andrew Sheen, Managing Director of Irish Ferries today (Friday, April 7th 2017) visited the shipyard of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesselschaft & Co.KG in Flensburg, Germany to oversee the cutting of the first steel plate for use in the construction of their new €144million cruise ferry, which is scheduled for delivery in mid 2018. When in service, the vessel will accommodate 1,885 passengers and crew, with 435 cabins and with capacity for 2,800 lane metres of freight (165 freight vehicles) plus an additional dedicated car deck with capacity for 300 passenger cars. “This first steel cutting is more than symbolic and starts the practical construction of our new build. This investment underpins the confidence the Group has in both the freight and passenger tourism markets between Ireland, Britain and France”, Mr. Rothwell said. Pictured (L-R) Mr. Eamonn Rothwell – Chief Executive – … Read more

PR: Irish Ferries orders new RoPax at Flensburger

Artist's impression of Irish Ferries new approx 50,000 gt vessel. © FSG.

31st May 2016 Shipyard Announcement Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG), a subsidiary of Siem Group, has entered into a shipbuilding contract for one Ropax ferry with Irish Continental Group (ICG). ICG operates a number of ferry routes out of Dublin and Rosslare through its subsidiary Irish Ferries. The vessel will have a 194.80 m length overall and 31.6 m beam with a cargo capacity of 2,800 lane meters and an additional dedicated car deck for 300 cars. She will be equipped with 435 passenger cabins and a number of restaurants, bars and lounges on 4 decks, with a total capacity of 1900 passengers and crew, and will deliver optimal fuel consumption, while meeting current and known future environmental regulations. The vessel will have the building number 771 and will be delivered in May 2018. Irish Continental Group plc invests €144 million to build a new cruise ferry Released : 31 May 2016 Company … Read more

Sailing update: Storm Desmond delays and cancellations, 5/12/15

EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER leaves Larne in the freshly applied new P&O livery, May 2015. Copyright © Gary Andrews.

Sailing updates due to adverse weather on services from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Below is a snapshot of how things stand at present (13:40 Saturday 5th December 2015). As always if you plan to travel, please contact your chosen operator directly for the latest sailing information.  NI – UK sailing updates Belfast – Cairnryan (Loch Ryan Port) Stena Superfast VII continues to sail as normal, however Stena Superfast VIII is off-service today for planned essential maintenance. Belfast – Liverpool (Birkenhead) This mornings 10:30 sailing were cancelled as previously notified, however at present tonights 22:30 sailings from both Belfast and Liverpool look to be going ahead. Belfast – Heysham (freight) Stena Hibernia crossed to Liverpool last night, and is still there.  Stena Precision looks not to have sailed last night, and is alongside in Belfast.  Stena Performer also looks to be operating Belfast – Liverpool. No cancellations or delays notified as of … Read more

Sailing update: Storm Desmond sailing delays and cancellations.

Stena Superfast VIII. Taken in the North Channel from Stena Superfast VII. © 2015 Steven Tarbox/niferrysite.

Ferries cancelled or delayed due to adverse weather on services from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Early Saturday morning update (3am): in addition to the delays and cancellations below, Stena Superfast X’s 02:30 departure from Dublin and 08:55 from Holyhead, and Stena Europe’s 09:00 from Rosslare have been cancelled due to weather conditions. Irish Ferries 01:15 from Dublin to Holyhead has been delayed, having left Dublin just a few minutes ago, whilst all sailings from Rosslare to Pembroke on Saturday are either cancelled or in doubt.  Ulysses scheduled departure from Holyhead at 02:40 has been missed, and she is still on the berth at the Welsh port.  P&O’s Norbay looks to be running behind schedule between Liverpool and Dublin. Below is a snapshot of how things stand at present (19:20 Friday 4th December 2015). As always if you plan to travel, please contact your chosen operator directly for the latest sailing … Read more