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Messages - Steam Packet

#16
Discussion Board / Re: Condor Liberation
June 24, 2015, 02:31:06 PM
Quote from: Steven on June 23, 2015, 10:27:56 PM
Quote from: Steam Packet on June 22, 2015, 12:14:28 AM
Quote from: Steven on June 21, 2015, 11:42:05 PM
Quote from: Steam Packet on June 21, 2015, 06:27:45 PM
Condor should have bought Manannans sister, Bonanza Express (InCat 051).

I'm genuinely surprised they didn't to be honest, considering they couldn't wait to get themselves a Ben-My-Chree  ;)
Yes, but they also got a bigger Ben-My-Chree :p.  It would seem that Liberation is less than optimal for the service.  However, it is indicative of the number of reasonably new fast craft available that she was the option taken.  Even if Bonanza Express was available, she has passed the 15 year old mark, which in Northern Europe is when these craft tend to start looking for new homes in sunnier waters.

All they did was have more cabins fitted in the design, whereas the Ben was fitted with sufficient cabins for the 3Hrs 30Mins Douglas-Heysham Sailing. I understand Condor operate a long Channel Islands - Portsmouth overnight sailing that requires more cabins.

I don't know if Bonanza Express was available, though Fred Olsen were willing to charter her to EuroFerries. Their logo was even applied to her, but the charter, or sale I can't actually remember which, fell through.
The Euroferries operation itself turned out to be a red herring, and it was to be a charter.  That was back in 2009, much has changed since then.  Had she been available, I'm sure Condor had a look.  Again, her age is against her - why replace two ageing craft with another which is a bit bigger?

I get what you mean, though they did buy Condor Rapide and she is one year older than Bonanza Express.

I suppose my whole point is that the IoMSPCo have the best fast craft in Manannan  :)
#17
Quote from: Steven on June 21, 2015, 11:46:24 PM
Its hard to see where they will find a vessel available to operate a single round trip per day for just a couple of weeks a year, and not have to pay a fortune in both charter fees and relocation costs.  Perhaps CalMac could provide something (who else has anything with vehicle and passenger capacity that could fit Douglas?), but this could throw their own schedule all over the place as well.  The beauty of Express was that she was woefully under utilised and located close by.

The IoMSPCo will continue to survey the charter market for a suitable vessel, however it is incredibly difficult to find a vessel suited to Douglas, and the UK Ports served, which is available for such a short time, including crew. CalMac have, I understand been approached, however are unable to commit. Irish Ferries cannot make Jonathan Swift available on a similar basis to P&O Express, as her crew live on board Ulysses overnight.

However, the IoMSPCo have enough capacity to absorb the demand using only their own vessels. Express wasn't a major component for TT15, and Manannan did take a few nights off. Manannan would be under more pressure, however she is able to operate more overnight round trips during TT16.
#18
Discussion Board / Re: Condor Liberation
June 22, 2015, 12:14:28 AM
Quote from: Steven on June 21, 2015, 11:42:05 PM
Quote from: Steam Packet on June 21, 2015, 06:27:45 PM
Condor should have bought Manannans sister, Bonanza Express (InCat 051).

I'm genuinely surprised they didn't to be honest, considering they couldn't wait to get themselves a Ben-My-Chree  ;)
Yes, but they also got a bigger Ben-My-Chree :p.  It would seem that Liberation is less than optimal for the service.  However, it is indicative of the number of reasonably new fast craft available that she was the option taken.  Even if Bonanza Express was available, she has passed the 15 year old mark, which in Northern Europe is when these craft tend to start looking for new homes in sunnier waters.

All they did was have more cabins fitted in the design, whereas the Ben was fitted with sufficient cabins for the 3Hrs 30Mins Douglas-Heysham Sailing. I understand Condor operate a long Channel Islands - Portsmouth overnight sailing that requires more cabins.

I don't know if Bonanza Express was available, though Fred Olsen were willing to charter her to EuroFerries. Their logo was even applied to her, but the charter, or sale I can't actually remember which, fell through.
#19
Discussion Board / Re: Condor Liberation
June 21, 2015, 06:27:45 PM
Condor should have bought Manannans sister, Bonanza Express (InCat 051).

I'm genuinely surprised they didn't to be honest, considering they couldn't wait to get themselves a Ben-My-Chree  ;)
#20
The News Board / Re: P&O Fleet Movements
June 18, 2015, 08:37:10 PM
Both European Causeway & Highlander should fit, as the Norbay Trials were a success, and she is longer, with a deeper draught, though just as wide. However they will need to have a stern ramp added to be able to use the Troon Linkspan. If P&O fitted the ramp to Express themselves, they could possibly have it removed and fitted to European Causeway. Turnaround times may also need to be slightly increased, as Troon doesn't have a double-deck linkspan.

However, I think this is an incredibly positive move by P&O. I'm pleased that Troon will remain an active Ferry Port, and I really hope P&O take advantage of the obvious benefits of Troon, especially with a year round passenger and freight service now available.
#21
Quote from: giftgrub on June 08, 2015, 10:49:32 PM
Hopefully this is the end of Eurotunnels involvement in the car ferry business, this has always been a basket case company and the takeover of the two vessels is the best outcome possible, Malo Seaways may be redeployed from Dover to reduce capacity if this all goes ahead, though no mention of Nod Pas De Calais in the press releases so might fulfil a more freight based role on the channel crossing.

Eurotunnel want to retain Nord Pas De Calais on a freight only service, and also hope to acquire another freighter to run alongside her. Obviously European Seaway is available for sale charter, but I don't think P&O will sell to Euroferries (or will they retain MFL Branding?).

As for Malo Seaways, what about a Sub-Charter to P&O to takeover from Express on the Larne to Troon Service?
#22
The Isle Of Man Steam Packet Company have no interest in changing their specified Republic of Ireland Port from Dublin to Dun Laoghaire.

A limited number of sailings have already been operated to Dun Laoghaire in the past, and a permanent change in Port has already been looked at, though the Steam Packet Company intends to continue serving Dublin Port.
#23
The News Board / Re: Stena Line fleet movements
January 20, 2015, 09:41:13 AM
Stena are selling Stena Feronia to Strait Shipping subsidiary Bluebridge, in New Zealand. She will replace Santa Regina and operate alongside Straistman, ex Dueodde of Bornholmerfaergen.

Has Feronia effectively been replaced by Superfast X? Her sale maybe a sign that Nordica will head to the Baltic after her Irish Sea career.
#24
Discussion Board / Re: Isle of Man Steam Packet
December 08, 2014, 07:53:50 PM
Quote from: Normandy on December 08, 2014, 07:44:37 PM
Was just looking through old ferry pictures and I thinking with the Ben My Chree and Manxmann, their ability to operate in bad weather and in periods of dry dock is limited even with the Arrow freighter. Anyone else think the Ex Stena Caladonia would have made a wonderful addition short term to the fleet especially instead of Manxmann. Greater flexibility in operations to allow a second custom built ship to supplement the Ben. The fastcraft sadly seem to have had their day!

No Stena Caledonia would not have been a worthwhile addition to the fleet, and certainly should not have been purchased over the Manannan.

The Ben-My-Chree is a purpose build vessel, specifically designed for the Heysham to Douglas route. She can operate in adverse weather conditions, and is the most reliable vessel ever operated by the Company.

The Manannan was never intended to operate in adverse weather conditions, she was purchased to replace Viking, and she brought greater capacity, freight back up capacity, the ability to operate three daily round trips during peak periods and the ability to maintain a good service speed on three engines.

The Arrow has been chartered as the Steam Packet has long been aware of the shrinking availability of freight charter vessels which can fit in Douglas Harbour. Having the Arrow in the fleet gives even greater flexibility, not only during refit periods, but during peak periods. It is the availability of Arrow which has allowed the Manannan to be fitted with a new mezzanine deck, further increasing vehicle capacity during TT and MGP Periods.
#25
Discussion Board / Re: Your favourite ferry
November 14, 2014, 12:01:58 AM
Quote from: HSS on November 13, 2014, 11:15:12 PM
Well lets see, what's your favourite ferry?

Of all time, or presently in service?

Mine would be the Ben-My-Chree, and my favourite Fast Craft is the Manannan.
#26
The News Board / Re: Irish Ferries Fleet movements
August 15, 2014, 02:28:09 PM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on August 15, 2014, 01:43:56 PM
Quote from: Steven on August 13, 2014, 08:02:09 PM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on August 13, 2014, 04:34:28 PM
For Christmas, do all Ulysses staff go home for Christmas? or do they stay on the ship and celebrate Christmas onboard?
Is there anyone on there that would actually care about Christmas? :)

I suppose Irish Ferries staff wouldn't care about Christmas because they are from the Phillippeans and it would take too long to get home for Christmas and back to Dublin again for the 27th December. Plus the majority of them wouldn't have families. BUT I'd say Stena's staff wouldn't stay on board for Christmas because they would be either British or Irish staff and they would probably go home to their families for the 25th and 26th December.

Filipinos surely celebrate Christmas, it's a predominately Roman Catholic Country. Maybe they don't get to go home to spend the time with their families, but they'll definitely celebrate as a crew on board.

And lets not forget Stena have quite alot of Filipinos in their crews too, at least they do on the North Sea Routes.
#27
The News Board / Re: Stena Line fleet movements
July 14, 2014, 11:02:38 PM
I think Stena Europe will be staying on the Irish Sea.

I have heard than Stena Nordica will be moving to the Baltic to replace the chartered Stena Baltica upon the arrival of the new Stena Superfast on the Dublin - Holyhead Route.
#28
The Merrion Lounge / Re: 2015 Emissions regulations
June 15, 2014, 05:26:03 PM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on June 15, 2014, 04:42:42 PM
Quote from: Steam Packet on June 15, 2014, 04:41:33 PM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on June 15, 2014, 03:16:33 PM
Do Irish Ferries have any plans out yet about what they plan to do?

They don't need any, the Irish Sea is not a SECA.


Will the Irish Sea ever be a SECA?

I'm not entirely sure to be honest if the IMO intends to make the Irish Sea a SECA. What is certain is, it wont be in the immediate future, especially with the government now debating the delayed introduction of the Emission Control Regs and or financial support for the operators.

The Steam Packet has, however, outlined provisional options should the Irish Sea become a SECA. 
#29
The Merrion Lounge / Re: 2015 Emissions regulations
June 15, 2014, 04:41:33 PM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on June 15, 2014, 03:16:33 PM
Do Irish Ferries have any plans out yet about what they plan to do?

They don't need any, the Irish Sea is not a SECA.
#30
The Merrion Lounge / Re: Ro Ro Car Ferry for sale
April 14, 2014, 03:36:27 PM
Quote from: yasmin on April 14, 2014, 03:27:58 PM
I do  not think Larkspur can be used Ireland-Spain,she is too small ,She could maybe be a start ship or a wintership on Cork-swanse but arenot sue , she is acceptable  I look also on other vessels, which could be much better to such service, I do not knew that the irish sea and spain  were not demanding the better fuel quality,so I have not looked on that area the last year

I wouldn't have though so either, why wouldn't Larkspur be acceptable in the Irish Sea? The Irish Sea also has a very large freight market, though you'd be going up against some large operators. P&O is on the Northern & Central Corridor, SeaTruck are on the Central Corridor & Stena are on the Northern, Central & Southern Corridor. Irish Ferries are fairly large on the Central Corridor, so whatever route you started you would face competition.

Maybe Larkspur is the correct size for Swansea - Cork. Sailing out of Holyhead or Cairnryan wouldn't be sensible, and you couldn't match P&O's capacity at Liverpool either. Focusing on the south would be a better idea I think.