Messages

If there were better services at Holyhead plus better train links in the UK and good links from Dublin port to the centre of the city would it be possible to increase foot passenger numbers?

There must be a fair proportion of people [10-20% of the population?] who a] don't like flying, b] want to travel overland for environmental reasons and c] simply prefer boat and train travel.

So my question is; could Dublin-Holyhead-London and Dublin-Holyhead-Manchester become viable passenger routes if a little investment and marketing effort were put into them?

My wife and daughter travelled sail rail from Bath to Holyhead last Sunday. Train connections worked well and they arrived at 11pm to await the 2.40 am Ulyssess sailing. They found the train station pretty empty and under [re]construction. They eventually found their way to the ferry terminal where the cafe and ticket offices are located. All was closed and nobody was about apart from one old guy who tried to annoy my daughter and was given short shrift. Eventually staff appeared in the ticket offices and the process of booking in commenced. There were very few [less than 10 ] sail rail passengers.

I suppose the point of the post is to emphasise how challenging the ferry terminal is at night for women travelling alone. Surely the cafe should be open as a public facility, there should be evident security and the place should be welcoming. In an age when we are being encouraged to travel by ship and train for environmental reasons it is easy to see why people, particularly women, do not find it attractive.

Thanks mightymax23. Great to see this service up and running for cars and passengers. I will look forward to a trip up the English Channel.

Thanks Kieron,

works fine now.

No change

Hu Kieron,  The icon is there but not showing. I am using Safari, clicked on the space and it came up. Thanks.

Just one query...can't find the log out button.

Any update on the car / passenger service from Rosslare to Dunkirk? Was thinking of making a trip in January but can see nothing on the DFDS website.

Thanks Kieron,

as always your work is much appreciated.

I had missed it but it appears that Visentini have a new ship design, the first in 20? years.

This report from the ever dependable NI Ferry site describes the order for the second ship of this type [which will be delivered to Polferries]. This order has just gone through for delivery in 2024. The ship is dual fuel and looks to be bigger than previous ships, it is unclear to me if it is rear loading only or if it is drive through.

On a related topic it appears the Honfleur is still for sale /charter.

Source: https://www.niferry.co.uk/polferries-chooses-visentini-for-next-phase-of-fleet-renewal/

Considering the huge unmet demand at Dover [4000 trucks queuing today to get across the channel] IF must be packing them in. All sailings leaving on time today. One wonders what sort of profit IF are making on this route?

Honfleur and WB Yeats working in tandem on the Dublin Cherbourg route would represent a powerful commercial statement and commitment to the Ireland France link.

As of 3pm Epsilon and Estrid have docked in Dublin. However Adventurer and Ulysses are still cruising around Anglesey waiting for the weather to improve so they can dock. They have been at this for some hours now. The Met Éireann website suggests the seas are subsiding but the wind on the central corridor is unusually strong and is persisting into the evening.

Interesting that the ships can make the crossing but it is the docking that causes much of the delay.

A fair few ships unable to dock because of the storm. At 9am this morning Europe is still off the Waterford coast. Estrid and Ulysses sheltering south of Angelsea. Connemara off the Wexford coast. Cotentin and Horizon west of Lands End and Epsilon wisely sheltering off Falmouth. Looks like the full force of the storm went straight down the Irish sea.

Here is an extract from Irish ferries trading update released yesterday [24th November]:

"The Group is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement for the purchase of the ro-pax ferry Ciudad de Mahon from Trasmed GLE. Title to the vessel will transfer to ICG on delivery which is expected by late January 2022. The vessel will serve the Dover - Calais route operated by Irish Ferries after dry docking and branding changes.
The Company commenced services on the Dover Calais route on 29 June 2021 with the Isle of Inishmore. The Isle of Innisfree (ex-Calais Seaways) was delivered to the Group on 3 November 2021. She is currently undergoing drydocking and is expected to commence services on the route during December. The Ciudad de Mahon is expected to commence services in the first quarter of 2022. The introduction of these two vessels, representing a total investment of €35.5m, alongside the Isle of Inishmore completes our previously announced plan to introduce three vessels on the Dover - Calais route. This will allow Irish Ferries to offer up to 30 sailings per day on the route with sailings in each direction approximately every 90 minutes."

So that is ship number 3. It will be interesting to see how 2022 trading works out on the Dover-Calais run, is there likely to be overcapacity or can all the operators [including Eurotunnel] survive? It would be nice if IF offer reduced landbridge sailings for cars.