#SeatruckFerries – Irish Sea freight-only ro-ro operator Seatruck Ferries, whose ship management team have had a busy summer as an important new part of marine law has been rolled out.

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 or MLC, 2006 is an international labour Convention adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO). It provides international standards for the world's first genuinely global industry.

Widely known as the "seafarers' bill of rights," the MLC, 2006 was adopted by government, employer and workers representatives at a special ILO International Labour Conference in February 2006.

It is unique in that it aims both to achieve decent work for seafarers and to secure economic interests through fair competition for quality ship owners.

The Convention is comprehensive and sets out, in one place, seafarers' rights to decent working conditions. It covers almost every aspect of their work and life on board.

Seatruck's entire ro-ro fleet has now gained MLC certification recognising the company's on-going commitment to crew welfare.

The freight operator specialises in un-accompanied trailer traffic (i.e no truck drivers) though there is provision for a limited number of cabins.

Seatruck run three services on routes linking Dublin-Liverpool, Dublin-Heysham and Warrenpoint-Heysham.

As previously reported the company earlier this year had a contract to transport accommodation 'Snoozebox' modules on the route to Warrenpoint for use by security personnel during the G8 summit held on the lakes of Fermanagh.

Each week Seatruck sail more than 50 sailings across this route networkoperating a fleet of 12 modern roll-on roll-off freight ferries.

These vessels range in capacity from 65-150 unaccompanied trailers the vessels are not only operated on the Seatruck routes but also available in the open charter market to other users.

 

#Sailfor€1 – As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Celtic Link Ferries are re-launching a special single sailing fare of just €1 on 16 March 2014 between France-Ireland in advance of St. Patrick's Day.

Celtic Link Ferries are offering passengers this unique opportunity to travel with any tourist vehicle (car, van [up to 6.5m long and 2.5m high], motor-home, motorcycle, caravan, minibus or trailer) for as little as €1. The deal also includes everybody that is in the vehicle.

The special sailing offer on the Cherbourg-Rosslare route operated by ro-pax ferry Celtic Horizon, is timed to take advantage of visiting Ireland for St. Patrick's Day on 17 March.

Passenger will be able to their vehicle for some of the best prices ever seen on a ferry service between France and Ireland.

"Its simply an effort to get as many people to come to Ireland for St. Patrick's Day as possible" said a company spokesperson. "We have more direct crossings than anybody else and with that we want as many people to use it as possible".

To book this special deal visit:www.celticlinkferries.com

 

#NewFerryRoute – Caledonian MacBrayne's first season running the new route linking Campbeltown (Mull of Kintyre) and Ardrossan (Firth of Clyde) is to end sailings within a fortnight, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As previously reported the Campeltown-Ardrossan route began operating in May.  On (Saturdays only) the service includes an en-route call via Brodick on the Isle of Arann. This is Caledonian MacBrayne's (CalMac) first new route in nearly 20 years.

The thrice weekly operated service which is running on pilot basis and ends on Sunday 29 September. The new route was to encourage boosting tourism and trade opportunities throughout the regions of Kintyre and Argyl.

Serving the crossings is the 3,296 tonnes Isle of Arran, a veteran of the ferry company fleet built in 1984 and which has a capacity for 659 passengers and 62 cars. For sailings timetable and more about the new route visit this link.

Caledonian MacBrayne have been named by the British Travel Awards (BTAs) as one of the shortlisted contenders for the following awards of 'Best Ferry Company' and 'Best Holiday Magazine'. This year's BTA awards gala dinner ceremony takes place on Thursday 31 October in London.

 

#SeasonalServices- As the summer holiday season draws to a close on Irish-French routes, a seasonal-only service closes next week while another competitor stretches sailings to early November. 

Irish Ferries Rosslare-Roscoff route's last sailing from the Irish port is next Thursday,19 September. The corresponding return sailing from France is the following day, Friday 20 September.

Despite this Irish Ferries maintain operating Rosslare-Cherbourg sailings right up to Wednesday 18 December with the return sailing from Normandy the next day, Thursday 19 December. Click here for sailing schedule.

Brittany Ferries continue serving Cork (Ringaskiddy)-Roscoff crossings up to early November. The weekend operated route makes a final round trip starting from Roscoff on Friday, 1 November. After sailing overnight to Cork, the cruiseferry remains in port until departing later that day, Saturday 2 November to complete the season. Click for sailing schedule.

Celtic Link Ferries which also serves between Rosslare-Cherbourg, claim that they are the only operator to run sailings linking the two countries all year long.

According to the company's website, (after imputing requested sailing dates) the last sailings of 2013 are advertised with a round trip sailing departing Rosslare on Saturday 21 December.The final sailing in 2013 is the return crossing from Cherbourg on Sunday 22 December.

 

#BrittanyFerries – Brittany Ferries this year celebrate 35 years of Cork-Roscoff service currently served by flagship Pont-Aven, which every weekend makes a round-trip up to early November, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Pont-Aven arrives every Saturday morning and departs in the afternoon bound for Breton port which is a 14 hour crossing.

The luxuriously appointed Pont-Aven has top-class facilities and where French chefs and friendly bi-lingual staff all add to create a typically Gallic and chic atmosphere on board.

Brittany Ferries are offering an early autumn break. Book now and enjoy 6 days in France from €338 return for a car plus two passengers including cabin each way - the equivalent of just €169 per person return.

But hurry...as bookings are to be made by tomorrow (15 September) for travel dates up to 26 October 2013. For further details visit: www.brittanyferries.ie/6-day-late-summer-autumn-getaway

The Irish-French route began operations in 1978 firstly served by the Armorique, followed by Quiberon, Bretagne and Val de Loire.

 

#InterIslander- The flagship Interislander ferry Kaitaki has returned to Nez Zealand waters following a $4.5 million face-lift, writes the Dominion Post.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the charter of the Irish Continental Group 1,650 passenger car ferry Kaitaki had departed Wellington for Brisbane just over six weeks ago for dry dock work and for a significant upgrade to its passenger areas.

The maintenance work was carried out on its hull, tailshafts, stabilisers and decks. Parts of the 182-metre-long ship were also repainted.

Interislander general manager Thomas Davis says it was a logical decision to also revamp certain areas on the ship after its lease was renewed for another four years in May.

 

#StenaHSS – Stena Line's HSS fastcraft operated Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead route ceased sailings last Tuesday on the seasonal-only service, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The central Irish Sea corridor route had been running since Easter and operated by the Stena Explorer, the last of a trio of HSS fastcraft remaining in service for the company.

Stena Explorer will be returning to the 2 hour 20 minute route on 20 December 2013 for a limited number of sailings over the Christmas and New Year period.

Stena Line run two conventional ferries between Dublin Port - Holyhead on the all year round 3 hour 15 minutes route.

 

#MiniCruises – Since our report earlier this week regarding Irish Ferries French mini-cruises from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Roscoff, the ferry operator has announced that the length of time ashore for passengers has been extended to almost a week.

Under this new arrangement, mini-cruise passengers can stay in France for up to 6-nights from €147 per person return or for the same period costing €294 with a car, 2 people and a cabin.

To avail of this offer, bookings should be made no later than September 5th and travelling on the mini-cruises available up to December 19th 2013.

For further details of this mini-cruise offer and standard mini-cruise fares starting from €92, click this link.

Sailings schedules can be consulted here, noting the seasonal-only Rosslare-Roscoff routes ends with a round trip departing the Irish port on 19 September and returning from France on 20 September.

 

#Interislander – Irish Continental Group's Kaitaki which is on charter to New Zealand operator Interislander service is expected to be at least two weeks late. 

The delay in re-entering of Kaitaki on the Cook Strait route follows unforeseen problems with a paint job during the ship's refurbishment in Brisbane.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie the Kaitaki left Wellington for Brisbane dry docking late last month for a repaint, revamp of the food court area, the bar, the atrium and the toilets, along with the passenger thoroughfare and shop on deck eight.

It was originally scheduled to re-enter service on the Cook Strait run from next Monday, September 2. For more on this story the Dominion Post has a report.

#ICGHalfYearReport- Irish Continental Group have released their Half-Yearly Financial Report for the Half Year Ended 30th June 2013.

In a comment by ICG chairman, John B. McGuckian he stated; 'This was a positive half years trading with increases in revenue and operating profit driven mainly by higher freight carryings and lower fuel costs, partially offset by weaker passenger markets. Summer trading has been encouraging across most business areas, with volume growth in passenger and freight offset by weaker sterling, which affects tourism yields".

Results

In the prior year the Group disposed of its subsidiary Feederlink and the comparatives set out in the Interim Management Report have been restated to exclude trading from discontinued operations.

The Board of Irish Continental Group plc (ICG) reports that, in the seasonally less profitable first half of the year, the Group recorded revenue of €120.9 million compared with €117.0 million in the same period in 2012, an increase of 3.3%.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was €15.8million compared with €14.1 million in the same period in 2012.

Operating profit was €6.4 million compared with €4.9 million in 2012.Group fuel costs were €23.9 million compared with €25.7million in the same period in 2012.

There was a net finance charge of €3.1million (2012: €1.2 million) which includes a net pension expense of €1.0 million (2012: €0.8 million) and net bank interest payable of €2.1million (2012: €0.4 million).

Profit before tax was €3.3 million compared with €3.7 million in the first half of 2012. The tax charge amounted to €0.3 million (2012: €0.3million).

On a continuing basis EPS was 16.4c compared with 13.7c in the first half of 2012. Adjusted EPS (before non-trading items and net pension interest expense) amounted to 21.8c (2012: 16.9c).

Dividend

The Board declares an interim dividend of 33centper ICG Unit payable on4October to shareholders on the register at 20 September 2013.

Operational Review: Ferries Division

The division comprises Irish Ferries, a leading provider of passenger and freight ferry services between Ireland and both the UK and Continental Europe (in this 40th anniversary year), and the bareboat chartering of multipurpose ferries to third parties. Irish Ferries operated 2,119 sailings in the period, up 1.5% on 2012.

Revenue in the division was €69.4 million (2012: €69.5 million). Profit from operations increased to €4.0 million (2012: €3.2 million), with a €1.3 million(7.0%) reductionin fuel costs to €17.2 million, partially offset by higher drydock costs incurred on one of the vessels in the fleet.

In the first half passengers carried were up 0.3% at 678,400 while total carscarried in the first half of 2013were 142,500, down 4.2% on the previous year, but at higher yields.

In RoRo freight, Irish Ferries' volumes were up 7.9% to99,700 units, when compared with the first half of 2012.

The MV Kaitaki as previously reported on Afloat.ie, remained on charter to P&O during the period, trading in New Zealand. The charter to P&O terminated on 30 June 2013 following which a new charter commenced, on 1 July 2013 to KiwiRail.

The new charter is for a period of 4 years with an option for the charterer to extend by a further 3 years.

Operational Review: Container and Terminal Divisions

The Container and Terminal Division include the shipping line EUCON as well as the division's strategically located container terminals in Dublin (DFT) and Belfast (BCT).

Turnover in the division was up 8.3 % to € 52.2million (2012: 48.2 million), while profit from operations was € 2.4 million (2012: €1.7 million) reflecting stronger shipping volumes. Fuel costs in the division were down 6.9% at €6.7 million.

Total containers shipped were up11.3% at 140,600 TEU (2012: 126,300 TEU). Units lifted at the division's port facilities in Dublin and Belfast were down 3.5% at 86,400 lifts (2012: 89,500 lifts) with an increase in Dublin being offset by a reduction in Belfast due to ship schedule changes.

Financial Position (EBITDA) for the period was €15.8million compared with €14.1 million in the same period in 2012. Cash flow generated from operations was €23.1million versus €17.6million in 2012.

Capital expenditure in the period was €6.6million (2012: €5.1million) while pension payments in excess of service costs amounted to €2.4 million (2012: €3.0 million).

Free cash flow (net cash from operating activities after capital expenditure) was €14.2million compared with €11.9million in the previous half year.

Net debt at the end of the period a mounted to €105.4million and this compares with €116.0 million at 31 December 2012.

The final dividend for 2012, amounting to €12.3 million was paid during the period. Shareholders equity decreased to €11.8million from €18.0million at 31 December 2012.

The main reasons for the decrease were primarily due to the dividend paid of €12.3 million offset by €6.0 million of total comprehensive income, which includes an actuarial gain arising on the retirement benefit obligation of €2.0 million and a profit for the period of € 3.0 million.

For a further in depth analysis of ICG's Half Yearly Financial Report for the Half Year Ended 30th June 2013, click this link to download a PDF copy.