Irish Ferries HUll 777

Started by ferryfan, July 05, 2019, 11:57:31 AM

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ferryfan

With all the difficulties and delays to builds at FSG you would have to believe that the estimated arrival of hull 777 of mid 2020 might be already unrealistic. If we look at the timeline of the construction of WB and use those times as rough guide to the time it will take to get the new build completed, she was first ordered in May 2016 with expected delivery of May 2018, her keel was laid in September 2017, she first hit the water in January 2018 entry into service delayed to July then September but it wasn't until late October that sea trials started. She was delivered to Irish Ferries in December 2018 and had her first sailing in January 2019.
So even withour any delays the estimated time from keel laying to delivery was estimated to be about 9 months but in reality it was about 16 months.
If 777 is to be deliverd on time you would have to expect the construction to begin within the next couple of months.

IFPete

#1
Assuming the shipyard does not go bust Keel Laying could as early as  Friday 1st November 2019.

As Hull 777 is strategically important to Irish Ferries, I see there being a deal done to keep it at FSG.

Given the learning experience on WB Yeats a 12 month lead time should be achievable , if FSG has the cash to pay suppliers on time.

Hull 777 is more RO-Ro with less cabins , the remaining interior should be similar to WB Yeats. This should lesson the fittout time.

There are rumours circulating in Pembroke that as soon as Hull 777 is delivered an order will be placed to replace Isle of Inishmore.

Matt73

Quote from: IFPete on July 05, 2019, 10:34:56 PM
Assuming the shipyard does not go bust Keel Laying could as early as  Friday 1st November 2019.

As Hull 777 is strategically important to Irish Ferries, I see there being a deal done to keep it at FSG.

Given the learning experience on WB Yeats a 12 month lead time should be achievable , if FSG has the cash to pay suppliers on time.

Hull 777 is more RO-Ro with less cabins , the remaining interior should be similar to WB Yeats. This should lesson the fittout time.

There are rumours circulating in Pembroke that as soon as Hull 777 is delivered an order will be placed to replace Isle of Inishmore.

What would be the rationale for replacing the Innishmore? She is hardly sailing full at present. Why would IF saddle themselves with the, unncessary, costs of paying off a new ship?  The Innishmore has plenty of years left in her yet. 

Matt

A83

A smaller more fuel efficient ship?

alfie79

Quote from: Matt73 on July 08, 2019, 04:00:57 PM
Quote from: IFPete on July 05, 2019, 10:34:56 PM
Assuming the shipyard does not go bust Keel Laying could as early as  Friday 1st November 2019.

As Hull 777 is strategically important to Irish Ferries, I see there being a deal done to keep it at FSG.

Given the learning experience on WB Yeats a 12 month lead time should be achievable , if FSG has the cash to pay suppliers on time.

Hull 777 is more RO-Ro with less cabins , the remaining interior should be similar to WB Yeats. This should lesson the fittout time.

There are rumours circulating in Pembroke that as soon as Hull 777 is delivered an order will be placed to replace Isle of Inishmore.

What would be the rationale for replacing the Innishmore? She is hardly sailing full at present. Why would IF saddle themselves with the, unncessary, costs of paying off a new ship?  The Innishmore has plenty of years left in her yet. 

Matt
are IF very quieton the pembroke run

IFPete

She is almost 20 years young.

Steven

FSG777 isn't expected until "late" 2020 now according to the most recent report from ICG.  As for replacing Inishmore, the company already appear to be financed to the hilt paying for the existing two new builds.  Not saying it won't happen but they have their finances to look after (and the share price isn't looking too good at the moment either).  20 years is by no means old these days anyway.  Would a "smaller, more efficient ship" be able to cope with the peaks in the route as Inishmore does?  It would possibly make sense to wait at least 5 years before making another major new build investment.  Rumours of new ships usually do emerge when a company builds for another route.

Quote from: IFPete on July 05, 2019, 10:34:56 PM
Assuming the shipyard does not go bust Keel Laying could as early as  Friday 1st November 2019.

As Hull 777 is strategically important to Irish Ferries, I see there being a deal done to keep it at FSG.

Given the learning experience on WB Yeats a 12 month lead time should be achievable , if FSG has the cash to pay suppliers on time.

Hull 777 is more RO-Ro with less cabins , the remaining interior should be similar to WB Yeats. This should lesson the fittout time.

There are rumours circulating in Pembroke that as soon as Hull 777 is delivered an order will be placed to replace Isle of Inishmore.
Last I heard they allegedly didn't have enough engineers to finish the design of FSG777.  If the design isn't ready then the likes of Marine Project can't be having the steel cut to produce their sections either.  With suppliers having walked off site and moved on to other projects they may be at the back of the queue as well which will be slowing things down.

Don't underestimate the technical challenge of having that much freight that high up the superstructure either!  Cabins weigh a lot less that articulated lorries and cars!  It's a lot more complex than simply replacing the cabin deck with a vehicle deck.  If they don't get it right the ship will have serious stability and deadweight issues.  12 months might be pushing it for a repeat of Yeats given the yards troubles - they haven't delivered a passenger vessel on time for some time now either.   LEEVSTEN is 7th in a series of identical ships and it seems they are struggling a bit there.
Steve in Belfast (suburbia)

Flickr: www.flickr.com/tarbyonline

IFPete

The question we will be answered  long before build 781 is launched. If they dont begin fabriation in early september of 777 its possible the yard may be in admistration. 

Steven

I have learned that FSG777 is actually very different from W.B. YEATS technically, not just in terms of her capacity and vehicle deck layout.  She has a totally different propulsion package for a start!  This is a lot more than removing some cabins and inserting a mid-section.

Quote from: IFPete on July 24, 2019, 04:47:06 PM
The question we will be answered  long before build 781 is launched. If they dont begin fabriation in early september of 777 its possible the yard may be in admistration. 
If the yard is in administration I'm sure we will find out from the local press anyhow
Steve in Belfast (suburbia)

Flickr: www.flickr.com/tarbyonline

IFPete

Build 777 will have bigger engines and most likely rear thrusters to help her manouver in and out of the berths in Holyhead.

Steven

Quote from: IFPete on July 28, 2019, 02:15:40 PM
Build 777 will have bigger engines and most likely rear thrusters to help her manouver in and out of the berths in Holyhead.
Theres a berth in Dublin as well she needs to manoeuvre in and out of as well remember!  The engines are not just bigger, but from totally different manufacturer!  In terms of manoeuvring she's very different but then she will have a lot more weight to move around in addition to her extra length!!!  5 full freight decks and 1800 pax is a lot of weight.  The hull design is essentially a lengthened version of that used on Yeats.

With regard to milestones for 777, steel cutting on Yeats started in the April prior to her original delivery date from memory.  Keel laying was in the second week (I think) of September '17 by which time delivery was being stated as June for service in July IIRC.  Of course that never happened.  If "late 2020" is to be met then it's reasonable to expect something before Christmas anyway.  In the meantime, Stena Estrid looks to be well on target for being in service "early" next year.  Of course, there's a while to go yet.
Steve in Belfast (suburbia)

Flickr: www.flickr.com/tarbyonline

IFPete

What was the rational of putting Stena Estrid on Stena Adventurers roster.
She has less freight and passenger capacity.

RorieLen

Quote from: IFPete on July 29, 2019, 11:07:16 AM
What was the rational of putting Stena Estrid on Stena Adventurers roster.
She has less freight and passenger capacity.

Exactly - it won't happen if you ask me

Steven

Quote from: IFPete on July 29, 2019, 11:07:16 AM
What was the rational of putting Stena Estrid on Stena Adventurers roster.
She has less freight and passenger capacity.
Not sure where this suggestion came from, but Stena have been quite clear that it is STENA SUPERFAST X that is being replaced.  It would make no sense to replace adventurer with a smaller ship!
Steve in Belfast (suburbia)

Flickr: www.flickr.com/tarbyonline

IFPete

I read somewhere that they were going to swap the rosters of Stena Estrid and Stena Adventurer.