#FERRY NEWS – Over the busy festive season and during the early New Year periods, Irish Sea 'central corridor' route ferry operators are preparing for an influx of passengers, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Stena Line's HSS Fastcraft will return on the Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead route for the festive season with the following sailing schedule: 20-23 December, 27-30 December and between 2-5 January 2013.

The route is served by the HSS Stena Explorer fastcraft with a crossing time of 1 hour 20 minutes. For further information about the service, click here.

In addition Stena Line operate sailings on the Dublin Port-Holyhead route, which is served by two conventional superferries, Stena Adventurer and Stena Nordica on the 3 hours 15 minute service. For further details click here.

Irish Ferries Dublin Port-Holyhead route is served by cruise ferry Ulysses and fast ferry Jonathan Swift, though for the festive period the cruise ferry, Isle of Inishmore will be introduced to provide an extra sailing in each direction on the following dates: 22, 23 and 27 December and 2 and 3 January 2013.

Passage times on the route for the cruise-ferries take 3 hours 15 minutes and the fast ferry crossing is 1 hour 49 minutes. For more information and sailing times click here.

Also running service on the central corridor is P&O Ferries Dublin Port-Liverpool route which is served by a trio of ro-pax ferries, European Endeavour and sisters Norbank and Norbay.

They operate to a crossing time of between 7 hours 30 minutes and 8 hours 5 minutes, which varies subject to sailing times. On this route, the service does not cater for foot passengers. Details of this service can be found on their website here.

#FERRY NEWS – In an unprecedented move Irish Ferries are to operate three vessels on the Dublin-Holyhead route in the run-up to the busy festive and New Year periods, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Irish Ferries will transfer the cruiseferry Isle of Inishmore (1997/34,031grt) onto the popular central Irish Sea route linking the capital with North Wales. This will enable additional capacity of 2,200 passengers and more than 800 vehicles at a time when rivals are cutting back winter services.

The Dublin route is already served by the 'flagship' Ulysses, one of the largest car-ferries in the world and the twin-hulled catamaran Jonathan Swift which has a crossing time of 1 hour 49 minutes. The high-speed ferry which is marketed as the 'Dublin' Swift is the only fast ferry serving on the Irish Sea to operate on a year-round basis.

Isle of Inishmore is scheduled to run the additional Dublin-Holyead sailings on the following dates: 22, 23 and 27 December 2012, and on 2 and 3 January 2013. As such the Isle of Inishmore will provide an extra sailing in each direction on the central corridor route.

Head of Passenger Sales at Irish Ferries Dermot Merrigan said "So many people in the UK have Irish roots that Christmas and New Year are some of our busiest sailings".

"In previous years, bad weather has hit airports hard, sending thousands of extra passengers our way at the last minute. We're making plans now, so that whatever happens, travellers can rely on Irish Ferries to get them home in time for Christmas."

With the Isle of Inishmore's additional sailings, Irish Ferries will have the capacity to carry 6,360 passengers and 3,820 vehicles between the UK and Ireland on each of those five key dates.

On those dates, the Oscar Wilde, which usually serves between Ireland and France, will replace the Isle of Inishmore on the Rosslare–Pembroke Dock route.

#FERRY AWARD – Irish Ferries has won the 'Best Ferry Operator' award at a ceremony held recently in Birmingham. The award was presented to the ferry operator by Group Leisure, a leading British travel trade publication.

Irish Ferries won in the category on foot of votes cast by members of the public, drawn from sports and social clubs, retirement groups and special interest societies amongst others, across the UK.

Accepting the award, Irish Ferries passenger sales manager Marie McCarthy thanked those responsible for their recognition and added, 'we pride ourselves on the quality of our fleet and the high levels of service offered by our staff and we are delighted to see this acknowledged by our fellow industry professionals'.

Irish Ferries operates two services on the Irish Sea, the Dublin-Holyhead route, served by the cruiseferry Ulysses and fast-ferry Jonathan Swift. The second route is between Rosslare-Pembroke Dock which is served by the cruiseferry Isle of Inishmore.

#FERRY NEWS – Despite this week's final Irish Ferries seasonal-only sailing on the Rosslare-Roscoff for this year, the operator provides a service to Cherbourg, where Autumn Wine / Shopping Breaks are available to the Norman city that has four wine stores and two hypermarkets.

The cost of the break is based per adult (see website's tariff table) including return car ferry with a two-star inside cabin berth on board the cruiseferry Oscar Wilde and staying in the Hotel Campanile Cherbourg, sharing a twin/double room(s) with continental breakfast. The hotel is located just outside the city at La Glacerie and where additional nights are available.

There are also Mini-Cruises on offer (starting 26 September), which too provide an opportunity to stock up on beverages, for details click HERE.

#PORTS & SHIPPING - Below is a comment from John B. McGuckian, chairman of the Irish Continental Group (ICG) on the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2012.

Mr. McGuckian said, "I am pleased to report a robust performance in the first six months of the financial year. Turnover grew, albeit moderately while EBITDA was €14.3 million in the first six months of the year, down only €1.8 million despite an increase of €4.5 million in our fuel bill in the period.

With regard to current trading, while freight remains weak due to the economic background our tourism and car business has benefited from reduced competitor capacity although fuel costs remain a headwind.

With our strong cash flow and balance sheet we propose an unchanged interim dividend of 33 cent per ICG Unit and due to the strength of our capital position propose a return to shareholders of up to €111.5 million via a tender offer buy-back, which is subject to shareholder approval.‟‟

Interim Management Report for the six months up to 30 June 2012

Results

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 €127.1 million compared with €126.6 million in the same period in 2011 an increase of 0.4%.

Earnings before interest tax and depreciation (EBITDA) were €14.3 million compared with €16.1 million in the same period in 2011.

Operating profit was €5.1 million compared with €6.5 million in 2011. Group fuel costs were €28.9 million compared with €24.4 million in the same period in 2011. There was a net finance charge of €1.2 million (2011: €0.3 million) which includes a net pension expense of €0.8 million (2011: credit of €0.1 million) and net bank interest payable of €0.4 million (2011: €0.4 million).

Profit before tax was €3.9 million compared with €6.2 million in the first half of 2011. The tax charge amounted to €0.3 million (2011: €0.1 million). Basic EPS was 14.5c compared with 24.4c in the first half of 2011. Adjusted EPS (i.e. before the net pension interest expense) amounted to 17.7c (2011: 24.0c).

Dividend

The Board declares an interim dividend of 33 cent per ICG Unit payable on 5 October to shareholders on the register at 21 September 2012.

Disposal of Subsidiary

On 29 August 2012 the Group entered into an agreement for the sale, subject to regulatory approval, of its subsidiary Feederlink Shipping and Trading b.v. for a consideration of up to €29 million. All details are available from clicking this link: http://www.icg.ie/documents/2012/2012-07-30-Half-Year-Results.pdf

#FERRY CABARET – Holiday makers taking peak sailings with Irish Ferries routes to France can enjoy the Wilde Nights Cabaret Show, on board the cruiseferry Oscar Wilde (1987/31,914grt), writes Jehan Ashmore.

Irish Ferries will resume Mini Cruises on 27 August, starting on the Rosslare-Roscoff route and followed next month, they will be made available on Rosslare-Cherbourg sailings. Dependent on which route is taken, the time ashore can be up to 8 hours in France.

Currently there is a special fare for a car, driver and reserved seat from €99 single. The price includes all taxes, noting bookings should be made at least 10 days in advance of travel date. This fare is applicable to sailings made between 2nd September to 19th December.

For further details and other special fares click HERE.

#FERRY NEWS –Irish Ferries has appointed Dermot Merrigan as Head of Passenger Sales for Ireland, UK and France.

Merrigan joined Irish Ferries 22  years ago and has extensive experience within the company's passenger business. Previously he held the posts of Contact Centre Manager and, before that, Commercial Coordinator with the company's division Irish Ferries Holidays.

A native of Dublin, he is married and succeeds Declan Mescall who retired after 34 years service with the company.

# WINE FAIR MINI-CRUISE – Some passengers travelling on today's Irish Ferries inaugural sailing of the seasonal operated Rosslare-Roscoff route are taking a Wine Fair mini-cruise, writes Jehan Ashmore.

To celebrate the start of summer sailings to Roscoff, the special Wine Fair themed round-trip mini-cruise is been run in conjunction with a beverage supermarket located in the Breton port.

Before Oscar Wilde docks in France tomorrow morning those booked on the Wine-Fair sailing will hear lectures presented by wine-growers from leading wine regions. Among them are producers from Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Languedoc Roussillon, Loire Valley, South of France and the Rhône Valley.

Aside this weekend's Wine Fair mini-cruise, Irish Ferries have been running their regular mini-cruises which provide opportunities to purchase wine, beer on a DIY buying trip.

The first mini-cruise started this week on the Rosslare-Cherbourg and they are also available on sailings serving Roscoff. Mini-cruises are valid for travel from Ireland up to 19 June and from 27 August, subject to availability.

#FERRY SAILS – Ferry passengers perhaps on a mini-wine break cruise between Rosslare-Cherbourg may be taking a detour to the Cherbourg Nauting Boat Show which is been held this weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Both Celtic Link Ferries and Irish Ferries operate on the continental route to the man-made Norman port originally constructed by Napoleon. The present day bustling town-centre of Cherbourg-Octeville to give its full name is close to the large 1500-plus berth marina at the Port Chantereyne which is hosting the show.

Those attending can buy and sell new and second-hand boats and where there will be exhibitors attending the three-day show which started yesterday. Activities include scuba-diving, dry surf, stand-up-paddle and model-boats on a dedicated pool.

In addition there is a guided-tour on a racing-boat commented by its skipper Eric D'Hooghe from the Figaro Race. Also making an appearance is the French rower Rémy Alnet who will be there to talk about his trans-Atlantic races.

Also on a related note is the La Cité de la Mer which is a museum situated in the former trans-Atlantic liner passenger terminal used during the so called golden era. The history of these liners is recalled in the museum and of course includes the RMS Titanic and the  French Line's famous France which as the Norway made a once off anchorage call outside Dun Laoghaire Harbour. 

In addition there are displays of submarines including the decomissioned French Navy nuclear-powered submarine Le Redoutable which is located in an adjoining dry-dock.

#FREE FERRY WI-FI - Free Wi-Fi is now available on all of the Irish Ferries fleet after an expansion of the facility was completed on routes serving on the Irish Sea and on services to French ports .

Wi-Fi access on the Irish Sea is not just confined to those travelling in Club Class. There is also no need for a plug-in or payment to access the internet as passengers can simply surf the net, check emails and also connect to their own corporate network using state of the connections.

In addition for those without their own web devise 'surf-box' internet kiosks are available on board.