#CorKWalesFerry – The reinstatement of a ferry link between Cork and the UK is not feasible in the current economic climate, according to a report compiled by transport experts, writes the Irish Examiner.

Cork County Council and the Port of Cork commissioned consultants Strategic Transport Solutions International to undertake a feasibility study of reopening the link after the ill-fated Fastnet Line ceased sailings in 2011.

The report concluded that in the present "economic and competitive climate", a new service cannot be justified commercially on the basis of the volume of passengers and freight achievable in the short term.

Traditionally the main ferry route between Britain and the south-west of Ireland has been Swansea to Cork. However, this time the consultants looked at linking Cork with Newport in Wales, and Bristol in England. To read much more on this story, click here.

#GatheringVoyage – As previously reported on Afloat.ie Celtic Link Ferries were proud to have transported over 400 passengers on board Celtic Horizon from mainland Europe to Ireland for St. Patrick's Day 2013.

The only ferry company which sails between Ireland and France (Cherbourg-Rosslare) all-year-long gave passengers a unique opportunity last weekend to sail with a vehicle, a cabin and occupants for only €1.

The special priced fare was tied to promote Ireland's year-round Gathering celebration and to encourage people to visit Ireland.

"There was a great atmosphere on board, people delighted with the great offer and getting to come home and see their loved ones" said Tourist Passenger Manager, Rory McCall.

"Celtic Link Ferries did their best to insure that people got to visit Ireland for St. Patrick's Day as comfortably as possible, as cheaply as possible."

McCall added "This will be the first of many offers trying to increase visitors to Ireland and more specifically to Wexford and the rest of the South-East".

"Celtic Link Ferries have been very fortunate to have the support of Rosslare Europort on this offer and look forward with working with them on more special offers for the rest of 2013."

Throughout 2013 Celtic Link Ferries will be offering competitive fares to insure that even more tourists visit Ireland on the thrice-weekly operated Cherbourg-Rosslare route.

#CanalCruises – Operators of the famous ferry cross the Mersey will again be launching Manchester Ship Canal Cruises starting in early April, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Treat yourself to the leisurely 6 hour return cruise along the 35 mile canal. To wet your appetite click HERE for a taster of the passage by viewing the Mersey Ferries TV Advert.

The canal cruise can start at Salford Quays (M50 3AH); or at the opposite end of the route from either our Seacombe (Wirral CH44 6QY) or Liverpool (L3 1DP) terminals.

Take in the spectacular scenery whilst a live commentary tells the story of how this magnificent waterway shaped the city of Manchester and the North West of England.

Over the passage of time, Runcorn (near the start of the canal) and Salford Docks where locations for the discharging of Guinness.

The 'black-stuff' was transported across the Irish Sea by the last of the stout-tankers The Lady Patricia and Miranda Guinness.

The trade ceased two decades ago in 1993 following the introduction of road-stout tankers that take the ferry instead.

Another Irish Sea route connection to Dublin Port had up untill recently operated two container vessels from Liverpool, however one of these ships, Coastal Deniz has shifted to a newly upgraded domestic service.

The service which is operated by this larger container vessel is running  between Liverpool's Seaforth Container and the Irlam Container Terminal, near Trafford Park in Manchester.

Due to a marked increase in trade along the canal from customers among them Kelloggs, a trail-run period in running Coastal Deniz during January had proved successfull, leading to the transfer of the 260 TEU capacity vessel operated by Peel Ports.

The deployment of the 1991 built vessel to the canal route will move in the region 20,000 containers during 2013. The service between Liverpool  to Irlam will operate four times weekly. For more WorldCargoNews.com has a report.

Once you've finished your day of cruising, Mersey Ferries we'll return to your point of departure by dedicated bus transfer.

Tickets are available from only £36 per person. Advance booking is necessary. To book or for more information call 0151 330 1444 or visit this LINK.

#ManxRoutes – Today marks the final Douglas-Birkenhead sailing of the winter, though the mainland port switches for the summer running from Liverpool, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Ro-Pax ferry Ben-My-Chree is making an end of season sailing today with an arrival in Douglas around teatime.

Recently emerged from hibernation mode and Alexandra Dock, Liverpool was the fastferry Manannan.

The InCat built catamaran craft is to start summer season sailings to Merseyside, with the first sailing from the Manx capital scheduled next Friday (22 March) departing 07.30hrs to Liverpool landing stage.

For a complete timetable and also for other routes including Douglas-Heysham click HERE.

#FerryColourful – This weekend saw a Stena Line ferry or two getting big Red Noses and turning Green –well almost!...to mark the UK's Red Nose Day and Ireland's St. Patrick's Day.

Red Nose Day which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year was held last Friday and despite the economic climate, the charity fundraiser appeal raised a staggering £75m.

On board Stena ferries a host of fundraising activities took place including a range of specially created red nose muffins, sales of which along with other activities will go to Comic Relief.

Around the World the iconic images including the Pyramids of Giza and Leaning Tower of Pisa are to turn green this weekend for St Patrick's Day festivities.

Closer to home, Stena Line didn't want to turn green with envy so they turned out one of their Belfast-Birkenhead ferries to a shade of green instead... albeit with some imagination!

#FerryCampaign – It's not too late to discover special promotional offers from the UK led National Ferry Fortnight campaign which ends later today, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The  special offers are not exclusively restricted to the timeframe of the Ferry Fortnight, thus allowing you further time to explore your travel options before making your desired booking.

So to get 'ferry familiar' with the ferry operator members who are participating in the website campaign, visit: www.discoverferries.com/nff2013/ which is the consumer face of the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA).

The campaign showcases and heightens consumer awareness of the UK's extensive ferry services that exceeds 50 routes. Passengers can get ferry familiar with the ease in convenience, value and flexibility made available through ferry travel.

More than 34 million passengers annually travel on routes radiating from ports throughout the UK and ferry companies have invested millions in modern, versatile fleets and upgraded services.

With spas, first-class lounges and fine dining restaurants on board some ships, potential passengers are invited to see the merits and discover the new face of ferries.

The campaign's website will not only offer promotional offers on ferry routes to the UK but also routes serving France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Spain.

#GatheringVoyage –Passengers today on board Celtic Horizon which is due to make a lunchtime arrival in Rosslare Harbour are taking advantage of a special celebratory 'Gathering' sailing, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As previously reported, Celtic Link Ferries had been promoting a €1 euro motorist fare on this particular crossing which departed Cherbourg yesterday in advance of St. Patrick's Day festivities held across the nation in this year of The Gathering.

In addition to Irish and continental passengers, there are representatives from the tourism sector travelling on this Gathering sailing.

As the Celtic Horizon heads towards the Tuskar Rock Lighthouse, there will no doubt be an on board atmosphere of excitement as the Emerald Isle looms increasingly closer.

Celtic Horizon is the newest and fastest vessel operating on the French-Irish route and among the facilities are the aptly named Tuskar Lounge, Rosslare Bar and Cherbourg Café.

#Ferry News – Due to heavy seas, Irish Ferries French route vessel, Oscar Wilde had to abandon its approach to Cherbourg last night.

The cruiseferry with more than 500 passengers had departed Rosslare and made several attempts to dock at the French port with the assistance of tugs in winds of up to 100km an hour.

One crew member suffered a broken leg during one of the failed attempts after a line snapped. He is still on board but a spokesperson for Irish Ferries says he is being well catered for on board. For more the Irish Examiner reports.

According to the Irish Ferries website, the vessel is currently offshore of Cherbourg and is awaiting an improvement in weather conditions before a further attempt to berth will be made at 13.00 hours local time today.

#Shipping – The Irish Continental Group (ICG) parent company of Irish Ferries, have released a statement of results for the year ended 2012.

Commenting on the results Chairman John B McGuckian said,''These are resilient results in the face of a challenging economic background. There is now some emerging evidence of an improvement in the Irish economic environment, but we remain cautious, particularly in relation to freight capacity.''

ICG produced another resilient performance in the face of continued economic weakness, which affects both consumer travel and import / export trade flows, the two areas of economic interest for the Group.

During the year the group announced, and completed, the sale of its subsidiary Feederlink. Consequently the results for the group's continuing operations (i.e. excluding Feederlink for both 2012 and 2011) are set out below.

Revenue for the year from continuing operations was up 1.7% at €256.1 million while continuing EBITDA1 was down 3.2%, to €45.8 million, due mainly to lower freight volumes in both Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo and higher fuel costs (up €6.3 million to €53.2 million) largely offset by higher yields in the passenger business.

The net interest charge was €1.8 million (2011: €1.0 million) before a net interest expense from defined benefit pension schemes of €1.6 million (2011: credit of €0.3 million). The taxation charge was €0.5 million compared with €0.8 million in 2011.

The profit on sale of Feederlink was €21.0 million. Basic EPS including the profit on sale of Feederlink was 183.2 cent while adjusted EPS from continuing operations was 104.6 cent, up 3.1%.

For further information of the statement of results, click HERE for PDF download.

#P&OExpress – A month to go sees the return of P&O Ferries fastcraft 'Express' service on the two-hour Larne-Troon route, which operates from 27 March to October.

The P&O Express (1998/5,902grt) accommodates more than 800 passengers and nearly 200 vehicles on the short hop across the North Channel linking Antrim and Ayrshire. The fastcraft also operates on certain sailings in tandem with ro-pax ferries running on the Larne-Cairnryan route.

On board facilities include a Fables Restaurant, the Harbour Coffee Company and for shoppers at sea, a stroll around the spacious Seashop.

Like other Irish Sea fast-ferries during the winter months, these vessels would go into 'hibernation' mode.  As for the Austal built Express 91m craft completed in Fremantle, she spent several months lying in Belfast Harbour.

For further details of the P&O Express service on the Larne-Troon service click HERE.