Displaying items by tag: New Ireland Continent Route

3rd April 2014

Stena Line Start Direct Ferry Route From Ireland To France

#NewStenaRoute - Following the recent acquisition of Rosslare-Cherbourg ferry service from Celtic Link Ferries by Stena Line, the ferry company has started operating the service under its ownership from the start of April.

The first round-trip sailing between Ireland and France was completed today and this marks a historic milestone for Stena Line as it represents the company's first direct ferry link between Ireland and the Continent.

The new Stena Line route will operate an all year round service with 3 weekly sailings from Rosslare and Cherbourg accommodating up to 1 000 passengers, 200 cars and 120 freight units per sailing.

Richard Horswill, Stena Line's Head of Freight UK and Ireland said: "Whilst today is an historic day for Stena Line it's also a very exciting one as we integrate an important economic and leisure connection from Ireland to the Continent into our business. We believe the timing is opportune for this development as improving economic data in Ireland and Europe points to the potential for increased traffic on this important commercial link between both regions.

Richard added: "As one of the leading ferry companies in the world, we believe we can help the Rosslare-Cherbourg route realise its full potential by bringing our experience, business practices and customer service standards to the service. Since the announcement of the acquisition in late February our teams have been busy integrating the new service into Stena Line's day to day business operations and I am delighted that we are in a position to officially operate the service."

Stena Line will operate the 28,000 tonne ro-pax Celtic Horizon, soon to be renamed Stena Horizon on the route offering 3 weekly sailings from Rosslare at 21.30 on Tuesday and Thursday with a Saturday sailing at 16.00.

From Cherbourg the schedule is 21.00 on Wednesday and Friday with a Sunday sailing at 16.00 with a journey time of approximately 17 hrs.

John Lynch, General Manager Rosslare Europort commented: "We are delighted to have a company of the size and experience of Stena Line take over the Rosslare-Cherbourg service. They have an enviable reputation in the ferry industry for developing business opportunities across their freight and leisure travel business and we are looking forward to working with them to help develop the route in the months and years ahead".

He added, "There has been a lot of positive feedback from customers of the port since Stena Line confirmed it was acquiring the route and there is a sense of collective relief that the future of the route has now been safeguarded in the hands of a highly respected global ferry business."

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Offshore wind

ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.