Irish Continental Group (ICG) newly chartered cruiseferry, the Star recently renamed Oscar Wilde for Irish Ferries service, transited the Strait of Dover last night on its delivery voyage from Estonia to Ireland, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The cruiseferry which had operated Tallink Grupp's Tallinn-Helsinki 2-hour shuttle service, is according to Irish Ferries to ‘initially’ operate on the Rosslare-Pembroke route from early June and into the bussier summer months.

Before making its Ireland-Wales debut, berthing trials are to take place at both ports followed by a rebranding into the company's all white livery scheme which is to take place at Harland & Wolff, Belfast. Unlike the first Oscar Wilde that served Irish Ferries on their former Rosslare based routes to France, where this predecessor had sported a dark blue hull.

ICG's charter of Star from Tallink, according to the Baltic state based operator is to start with a 20-month term, with a possible extension period of two plus two years. Also as part of the contract is the option to acquire the 2,080 passenger/134 cabin ferry which has ample vehicle/freight space of 2,380 lane meters.

Oscar Wilde is to replace the current Rosslare-Pembroke ferry Blue Star 1 in June, as then the charter period expires of the Greek flagged vessel which entered service in 2021. This led to releasing Isle of Inishmore to launch Irish Ferries first ever UK-France service on the busy and competitive Dover-Calais route.

So when Oscar Wilde sailed through the Strait of Dover, it was apt as of the three Irish Ferries 'Isles' running on the short-sea UK-France route, the Isle of Inishmore (tracked by Afloat) from Dover was ahead of the bow of Oscar Wilde when making a crossing to Calais. At the same time, Isle of Inishfree was close to the UK port while Isle of Inisheer was berthed at the French port.

Another French port, Cherbourg, is where Oscar Wilde had called this morning, 13 May, and from where the 185m cruiseferry carried out berthing trials at two link-spans. Such an exercise indicates the potential for Irish Ferries to redeploy Oscar Wilde after completion of high season service on the Ireland-Wales route, as long as another ferry can be secured to take over the Wexford-Pembrokeshire link.

As according to NIFerry, it reports of industry information that suggests the Oscar Wilde will replace the chartered ropax Epsilon which operates on the Dublin-Holyhead/Cherbourg rotation. If such speculation becomes reality, this would take place later this year as Irish Ferries is said to be exploring options for a permanent ship on the Rosslare- Pembroke route and based on current timetables, such a change is likely to occur in early November.

Afloat adds by re-deploying Oscar Wilde on the Ireland-France route, Irish Ferries would then be able to offer more of a match than the freight-orientated (ropax) Epsilon, in terms of increased freight and passenger capacity and superior facilities as featured on W.B Yeats. The flagship built in Germany in 2018, but did not enter service until the following year, firstly made its maiden voyage on the Irish Sea before a debut on the continental connection to France.

It is a decade ago when ICG chartered in the then named Cartour Epsilon to open the Dublin-Cherbourg route for Irish Ferries, though the first such service linking the Irish capital and France was established by P&O Ferries albeit for a short timeframe in the early 2000’s.

In 2014 the ropax was renamed Epsilon and has since continously operated the Wales-Ireland-France routes throughout the year along with the cruiseferry flagship, W.B. Yeats. Sailing times on the continental route subject to which ferry, vary between 17 and 19 hours.

Irish Ferries claim the Oscar Wilde has the largest passenger capacity on the Irish Sea and the likewise its duty-free shop which will be a destination for passengers. In addition they describe the ship to have a possible top speed of 27.5 knots, making it the fastest.

Such speed is not a necessity during this delivery voyage of Oscar Wilde in which Afloat has tracked at various stages of the cruiseferry which has been re-flagged and re-registered.

At time of writing, Oscar Wilde is running at 15 knots while in the west bound shipping lane of the English Channel and is due to make its maiden port of call to Ireland tomorrow morning, 14 May.

Manxman the newbuild flagship of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has officially joined the fleet during a transfer of ownership ceremony that took place in a shipyard in South Korea.

At a ceremony held at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), Lars Ugland, Chairman of the Board of the IOM Packet Co, signed the official documentation to complete the transfer of ownership on behalf of the Company.

The documentation to mark the transfer of the largest ferry built for the Steam Packet was completed at 11:40 South Korea time (03:40 BST) on the 11th May.

Mr HR Kim, President and CEO of Hyundai Mipo Dockyard also signed on behalf of the shipbuilders.

The historic moment brings to a close the newbuild phase of the project that began with the selection of Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in July 2020.

As Afloat reported, sea trials were completed at the end of April and the Manxman is now in the charge of Captain Andy Atkinson and Chief Engineer Dean Ellis.

Final preparations for departure of the 23 delivery voyage from Asia to Europe is to start tomorrow, 13 May.

During the voyage, six ports of call will be involved before arriving in UK waters, however this will firstly be to a port on the south coast of England.

This is to enable installation of final fixtures and fittings.

It is expected the Manxman will arrive in the Isle of Man ‘towards the end of June’, said the Steam Packet.

The Manxman Afloat adds is to replace the 25 year old Ben-My-Chree which was also custom-built for the company in 2008 at a Dutch shipyard.

The 'Ben' since then has been the main ferry operating the Douglas-Heysham route and during peak times operates seasonal sailings to Belfast.

In the early years, the ropax had also called to Dublin port, again during busy times.

The newbuild for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co's main Douglas-Heysham route, the Manxman will be officially handed over on the 10th May.

The Steam-Packet said its new flagship ferry has passed its sea trials with 'flying colours'.

The newbuild completed by the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, had earlier in the year a significant gearbox fault which delayed delivery. Further work was undertaken to install a new gearbox and this was followed with the resumption of sea trials.

During these trials, Manxman was subject to numerous tests over a 10-day period which checked its handling, manoeuvrability, fuel consumption and speed.

On board there were 150 people when the Manxman was in the waters of the Korea Strait - between the South Korean mainland and the Japanese island of Tsushima.

The ferry can accommodate up to 1,000 passengers and has 10% more space for vehicles and freight than its predecessor the 1998 built Ben-my-Chree which was also custom-built for the Steam-Packet.

More from ManxRadio on the progress of the newbuild.

Former naval patrol cutter twins purchased by the Irish Government last year from the New Zealand Government have begun their voyage to Irish waters.

The two ‘Lake’ class cutters Rotoiti and Pukaki which had served in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) as Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV), were loaded by crane onto a heavy-lift cargo ship in Auckland Harbour on Friday.

A delivery voyage of the cutters are expected to take around a month with an arrival at the Naval Service base at Haulbowline in Cork Harbour.

The IPV’s which were custom-built in 2009 at an Australia shipyard for the RNZN have already been given Naval Service Pennant Numbers P71 and P72, though the cutters have yet to be renamed.

In addition the cutters were modified by the New Zealand Defence Force as Afloat previously reported with work overseen by the Naval Service and the Department of Defence. 

Also the twins received a repaint of hulls, however following delivery to Ireland, the cutters will undergo a further programme of works to fit additional Naval Service equipment.

There will also be a training programme for the crew of each of the 25 knot capable cutters which are expected to enter service early next year to serve operations on the Irish Sea.

Such operations will be specific to the east and south-east coasts.

The Irish Examiner has more here.

Former Royal New Zealand Navy 'Lake' class inshore patrol cutters designed for maritime surveillance and patrol missions, are being transferred to Ireland by the New Zealand government on Tuesday at a cost of €26m.

The two inshore patrol vessels (IPV) built in Australia, HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukakiyet were named after lakes in New Zealand. The yet to be renamed (related story) cutters are expected to enter service early next year and operate on the Irish Sea.

This follows a year-long regeneration project with the 2009 commissioned cutters that were modified by the New Zealand Defence Forces and partners. The project work was overseen by the Irish Naval Service and the Department of Defence.

Attending the ceremonial handover of the IPV's was the Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue who represented Ireland at the event held in the New Zealand capital Auckland.

“I am aware of the considerable work that has been carried out here in New Zealand to restore the vessels to class and to fit specific equipment required by the Irish Naval Service,” he said.

As Afloat reported the IPV pair were purchased last year and that the Minister thanked everyone involved.

The 55m long cutters are capable of speeds up to 25 knots (46km/h). When they enter on the Irish Sea, they will operate on the east and south-east coast.

The IPV's, each of 340 tonnes displacement, will be taken on board a heavy-lift cargo ship which is due to arrive at Auckland so to be transported on the long delivery voyage to the Naval Service base at Haulbowline.

As the Irish Examiner reports on more, the minimum transit time to reach Cork Harbour is a month.

At a shipyard in Asia is where the new flagship ferry of the Isle of Man Steam Packet is expected to depart early in the New Year, reports ManxRadio.

Manxman which was built by Hyundai Shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea will embark on an 18,000 mile delivery voyage through the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean to the ferry's new home port of Douglas. This is expected to take around 30 days.

The newbuild is to serve the Island's main route of Douglas-Heysham, will be powered by the world's most efficient four stroke diesel engine, which provides high levels of fuel efficiency and significantly reduced exhaust emissions.

Generators will feed electric final drives, coupled to efficient propellors ensuring a vibration free crossing. Excess electricity generated will be stored by the vessel's on-board batteries, which can be used during periods of higher demand, or while the vessel is alongside in port, to reduce emissions.

According to the Steam-Packet, if all goes to plan the Manxman is to enter service in time for TT 2023.

The Marine Institute's newest research vessel the RV Tom Crean has completed its delivery voyage from a Spanish shipyard to Ireland, having arrived this morning to dock in the Port of Galway.

RV Tom Crean which cost €25m will remain in Galway before embarking on its first survey towards the end of July and then making its way to Dingle in advance of its official commissioning due to take place in Autumn 2022.

As Ireland's latest marine research vessel has been named the RV Tom Crean (as Afloat highlighted in early 2021), after the renowned seaman and explorer from Kerry who undertook three ground-breaking expeditions to the Antarctic in the early years of the 20th Century.

Ireland’s newest research vessel the RV Tom Crean has arrived in Irish waters and is currently docked in the Port of Galway before embarking on its first survey towards the end of July and then making its way to Dingle in advance of its official commissioning due to take place in Autumn 2022

The RV Tom Crean which will be based in Galway after its commissioning will enable the Marine Institute to continue to lead and support vital scientific surveys that contribute to Ireland's position as a leader in marine science. The research vessel will carry out a wide range of marine research activities including expanded fisheries surveys, seabed mapping and marine spatial planning, climate change related research, environmental monitoring, deep water surveys, and support increased research in the Atlantic Ocean.

Above and below: The RV Tom Crean arrives in Galway docks amid great excitement

Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute speaking about the vessel's arrival into Irish Waters said: "This has been an extremely successful project with the vessel arriving on budget and on time into Irish Shores. We are delighted that Galway, is the vessel's first stop in Irish waters ahead of its official launch and commissioning due to take place in Dingle, Kerry in Autumn. The new vessel will be used by the Marine Institute, other state agencies and universities to undertake critical work to support fisheries assessment, offshore renewable energy, marine spatial planning, marine protected areas and addressing the challenges of climate change. After the official commissioning, the RV Tom Crean will be based in Galway, and it will greatly enhance our capacity to undertake collaborative research and acquire the data and knowledge essential to sustainably manage our ocean resources."

Ireland's latest marine research vessel has been named the RV Tom Crean, after the renowned seaman and explorer from Kerry who undertook three ground-breaking expeditions to the Antarctic in the early years of the 20th Century. Pictured were Isaac White age 10 and Seren Flavin age 9. Picture Jason Clarke

The new research vessel is a silent vessel, capable of operating throughout the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and will replace the RV Celtic Voyager, which was Ireland's first purpose-built research vessel which arrived in 1997. The RV Tom Crean will be at sea for 300 operational days each year – heading to sea for at least 21 days at a time - and aims to accommodate up to 3000 scientist days annually and is designed to operate in harsh sea conditions.

The vessel design incorporates the latest proven technologies to ensure that it operates as efficiently as possible, with reduced fuel consumption and minimising the vessel's environmental impact and carbon footprint.

You can track the progress of the vessel in the lead up to its official commissioning in September on the Marine Institute website here.

Listen to Lorna Siggins' podcast with Aodhan Fitzgerald, the Marine Institute’s research vessel manager, and project manager for the new build here

Due to the lack of crew members reports the Irish Examiner, it will likely prevent the Naval Service from delivering home a pair of 'Lake' class patrol cutters it has bought from New Zealand.

The two vessels purchased by the Government from the New Zealand Royal Navy (NZRN) are likely to be transported to Ireland by special container ship as the personnel crisis in the Naval Service. This means it is unlikely it could release crews to go out and sail them back here.

It is believed the voyage could take up to six weeks, but even before that happens the New Zealanders will have to bring the ships up to operational standards.

The Government purchased the inshore patrol vessels, HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki, for NZ$36m (€22.62m).

However, a condition of sale is that the two ships, which have been mothballed for some time, will be brought back to operational standard. According to the NZRN, that is likely to cost anything up to €11.9m.

The News Zealanders will bear the cost of that.

The ships were mothballed because they did not fit in with New Zealand’s needed for longer range vessels.

The Irish Government purchased them because they are viewed as ideal for fishery protection duties in the Irish Sea. The need for such patrols there was forced on the Government by Brexit.

They are smaller than the P60s (such as the OPV60 class leadship LÉ Samuel Beckett) which the Naval Service uses for patrols in the Atlantic.

More here on the robust vessels.

Stena Embla the latest Chinese newbuild 'E-Flexer' class ropax completed a month-long delivery voyage to Europe where the ferry is to join sisters on the Irish Sea, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 40,050 gross tonnage newbuild built in Weihai, was tracked by Afloat.ie on the evening of New Year's Day in the Celtic Sea heading into the Irish Sea bound for Holyhead, Wales to where a brief call was made in the early hours of the next day before proceeding to Belfast Harbour. The new ferry berthed at the port's VT2 terminal.

The last port of call during Stena Embla's long delivery voyage was the southern Spanish port of Algerciras, opposite of Gibraltar, having called previously via Singapore, Sri Lanka and then a transit of the Suez Canal.

The Spanish call was to enable 'bunkers' transferred from a small tanker. On a related note, at the same time Stena Embla was tracked in the Celtic Sea, another tanker, Lizrix from Falmouth, was anchored off Rosslare Europort prior to entering the Wexford port to refuel Stena Horizon serving on the Cherbourg route.

The French service was recently boosted in freight capacity as the ro-ro Stena Foreteller took up service before Christmas which was earlier than planned to tomorrow's original start-up date. This was due to a major surge in demand from hauliers to arrive in mainland Europe and avoid customs checks of a post-Brexit UK.

While there is much attention to yesterday's newest 'Brexit-buster' route to Dunkirk operated by DFDS, Stena will introduce Stena Embla as the second E-Flexer on the Irish Sea between Belfast and Birkenhead (Liverpool). The new ferry has a capacity for 1,000 passengers, 120 cars and 3,100 lane metres of freight.

The other E-Flexer is Stena Edda along with Stena Mersey currently operates the 8 hour route. Each of the E-Flexers, have 40% more deck capacity, 40% more cabins and 30% more fuel-efficient than the Stena Mersey which will be replaced by the newbuild.

Stena Mersey along with former fleetmate and sister Stena Lagan (lenghtened last year to increase freight capacity), was in March replaced by the the E-Flexer, Stena Edda. Both of the 'river' theme named ropax vessels will be reunited when work also to enlarge Stena Mersey is due for completion next summer. At that stage, both the pair will have been renamed to reflect a deployment to a Baltic Sea route for the same operator.

As for the third E-Flexer on the Irish Sea, this is the leadship of the class Stena Estrid which entered service almost a year ago on the Dublin-Holyhead route. This winter the ferry was on relief duty between Belfast-Birkenhead but is back operating routine duties on the premier Irish Sea route.

In total Stena Ro Ro has ordered 9 of the Stena E-Flexer class and all built in China, though last year there was a change of ownership at the shipyard in Weihai.

Three of the newbuilds have been chartered to Brittany Ferries, firstly the Galicia which made a debut in December on UK-Spain service whereas DFDS will receive their E-flexer on the short-sea Dover-Calais service this year.

The newest ferry bound for Irish Sea service, Stena Estrid has departed the AVIC Weihai Shipyard in north-western China and is making its delivery voyage to Wales from where it is to operate on the Holyhead-Dublin route.

Stena Estrid is the first of five next generation Stena Line 'E-Flexer' RoPax vessels to be completed in the Asian shipyard and from where Afloat adds the newbuild departed a week ago. 

According to the ferry company, Stena Estrid is manned by a much-reduced crew of 27, with no passengers on board the voyage which will travel well over 10,000 miles, taking just over one month and making a number of stops on the way.

The first stage of the voyage is a week-long 2,657 nautical miles trip across the South China and then East China Sea to Singapore (Afloat adds, where today the ship is anchored offshore) having travelling at an economical speed of 17 knots. This is unique to Estrid and sister ships, where they can achieve by running on just one of its 12,600kW main engines, thus minimising fuel consumption.

Having refuelled and stocked up on fresh provisions, Estrid will then proceed at a speed of 15 knots through the Malacca Straits to Galle in Sri Lanka, before crossing the Indian Ocean and making its way to the Suez Canal.

Once through the Suez Canal, the ship will head west across the Mediterranean Sea, continuing at 15 knots until it reaches Gibraltar where it will stop for more fuel and provisions. In addition and most importantly from there it will welcome onboard more crew members who will undertake familiarisation and training during the final leg of Stena Estrid’s journey. This will involve a passage through the Atlantic Ocean, across the Bay of Biscay and finally to the Welsh port of Holyhead, where, all being well, it is expected to arrive just before or after Christmas.

Once in Holyhead, final preparations will begin to get Estrid ready to start service on the route in mid-January.

Speaking from the ship’s bridge, shortly after departure, Senior Master Matthew Lynch said: “After six years of planning and construction, we are so excited to be finally on board Stena Estrid and departing China on our way home to Britain.

“At this precise moment, we’ve only travelled approximately 70 miles but it was an interesting start to our journey as we passed a fleet of over 100 Chinese fishing vessels! We obviously have a very long way to go but we’re really looking forward to it and to meeting with our colleagues in Gibraltar, before embarking the final leg of our journey to Holyhead,” he added.

At 215 metres in length, Stena Estrid will provide freight capacity of 3,100 lane meters, meaning a 50 per cent increase in freight tonnage, and the space to carry 120 cars and 1,000 passengers and crew.

A further two of the new ferries are also destined for the Irish Sea with Stena Edda and Stena Embla. Afloat adds in the above photo includes Brittany Ferries chartered E-Flexer tonnage for UK-Spain service is seen in the background berthed on the left.

Stena Edda is expected to enter Belfast-Birkenhead (Liverpool) service next spring, leaving the third sister, Stena Embla to be introduced on the same route in early 2021. The introduction of the pair will increase freight capacity on this Irish Sea route by 20 per cent.