#FlagshipRefit - The Iargest ferry on the Irish Sea the 50,938 tonnes Ulysses completed a Dublin-Holyhead crossing before departing Anglesey in the early hours of yesterday morning bound for an annual refit in Falmouth, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The flagship of Irish Ferries made what is understood to have been a 20 hour passage including the Celtic Sea before entering a drydock at A&P Falmouth last night in Cornwall.

The Finnish built flagship dating from 2001 was under the Irish flag, however for the past decade the 209 metre long vessel transferred to the Cypriot flag. She is to undergo a routine maintenance prior to beginning her 15th year in service.

Ulysses can carry 1,875 passengers, 1,372 cars and 300 trucks and is the fifth largest ferry in tonnage terms operating in UK waters. All these large ferries operate on North Sea routes to the Netherlands.

Taking Ulysses place on the Dublin route is Isle of Inishmore which repositioned from Rosslare-Pembroke duties and which in turn are been covered by Oscar Wilde. The Rosslare-based French seasonal services cruiseferry having completed Christmas sailings to boost capacity on the Holyhead service.

At the Cornish shiprepairer, conversion and maintenance facility is also the landing ship dock RFA Lyme Bay (L3007), coastal products tanker Whit Navigator and Wavewalker 1.

The latter craft based in Falmouth, is Fugro Seacore’s award-winning eight legged ‘walking’ jack-up rig that carried out maintenance work last year at the Arklow Arklow Bank Offshore Windfarm.

#Obstruction - Normal sailings by the Isle of Man Steam Packet have resumed reports Manx Radio. 

Heysham Authorities have confirmed that the obstruction at the entrance to the port has been cleared.

A piece of timber had become embedded in the seabed there during the recent storms, which meant vessels among them the Steam Packet's ropax Ben-My-Chree could only get in and out of the harbour during high tides.

This led to major disruptions for the Steam Packet scheduled sailings, however normal operations are in effect with this morning's 8.45 departure from Douglas to Heysham.

#Obstruction – An Isle of Man ferry that was stuck from entering Heysham Port on New Year’s Day due to a ‘submerged obstruction’, it now transpires was caused by a large piece of timber that broke free during the winter storms.

The timber had become embedded on the sea bed at the entrance to the Lancashire port. As a result the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s 12,504 tonnes ropax Ben-My-Chree had to await sufficient clearance before safely entering the port channel.

The ferry is currently operating to a revised sailing schedule as the Heysham Port Authorities are trying to deal with the obstruction. The port authority have warned the Steam Packet’s and other port users that they cannot attempt to remove the obstruction before tomorrow, Sunday 3rd January, at the earliest.

Commenting on the port obstruction, Steam Packet CEO Mark Woodward said ‘As a result of this problem, which is outside of our control, the Ben-my-Chree schedules will be affected. We will only be able to approach and leave the port at higher states of tide; there will also be a knock-on effect to the weekend daytime Birkenhead sailings. Passengers on the affected sailings will be contacted by our customer services team. We will also keep passengers advised if any further changes are required’.

Provisionally, the revised sailing schedule by the Steam Packet and additional contact details are available by clicking here.

#Obstruction - The Isle of Man Steam Packet's ropax Ben-my-Chree is currently stuck outside Heysham harbour, reports IOM Today.

The Steam Packet says: ‘Due to the recent severe weather there is a submerged obstruction in the approach to the channel at Heysham. ‘The Ben-my-Chree will have to wait for sufficient clearance before she can approach safely.’

Afloat. adds the Ben-My-Chree had sailed from Douglas this morning and at the time of writing the Steam Packet sailing update stated that the ferry is expected to dock in Heysham at 14.30. 

#ThirdHybrid - The third of three cutting edge 'hybrid' ferries MV Catriona, was launched on the Clyde this month at Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd's (FMEL) shipyard in Port Glasgow. She is to serve the Scottish government-owned operator, CalMac.

The unique design of MV Catriona and her sisters are sea-going passenger and vehicle roll-on, roll-off ferries that incorporate a low-carbon hybrid system of traditional diesel power and electric lithium-ion battery power.

Her sister MV Hallaig, was the first in the world to incorporate this technology in a sea-going vessel when launched in December 2011. The innovative vessel was launched by Mrs. Anna Østergaard, wife of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) Chairman, Erik Østergaard.

MV Catriona is 43.5m long, accommodating 150 passengers, 23 cars or two HGVs and is owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) and will be run by CalMac Ferries Ltd, the operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service.

Sea trials are scheduled for spring 2016 (see Afloat report on MV Loch Seaforth) and the newbuild MV Catriona is to enter service following testing and certification.

Erik Østergaard, Chairman of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd commented: "We are very proud that the design and construction of this new class of ferry, using world class technology, was carried out in Scotland, continuing a proud tradition of shipbuilding on the Clyde.

"The launch of our three hybrid ferries - MV Hallaig, MV Lochinvar and MV Catriona - demonstrates CMAL's commitment to leading the way in innovative ferry design and our focus on creating new vessel technology. The technology is cleaner, quieter and cheaper to operate and maintain than ever before. Their introduction to our fleet demonstrates the vast economic potential of developing green technology within the transport industry."

The £12.3 million vessel is a further investment by the Scottish Government in CMAL's Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service fleet and is the third commercial ship to be fully built and delivered on the Clyde in five years. This is the first ship built by Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL), who was awarded the contract in September 2014, following their purchase of the Ferguson Shipbuilders business. The previous two hybrid vessels were also built in the same yard.

The new ferries are designed to operate on many of the short crossing routes around the Clyde and Hebrides and the route for this ferry will be announced by CalMac Ferries Ltd early in 2016.

Transport and Islands Minister, Derek McKay, said: "The official launch of the MV Catriona marks a further milestone in our improvements to the fleet serving the Clyde and Hebrides network.

"Delivery of this third hybrid vessel not only underlines the Scottish Government's commitment to making our ferry fleet sustainable and reliable, but it also showcases the expertise on offer at the FMEL shipyard. The technology used on the new vessel will mean it will be fuel efficient and have lower maintenance costs, whilst still ensuring a quality service for passengers.

"The Scottish Government has invested a record £1 billion in vessels, ports and ferry services since 2007. With a £97 million order made for two new vessels for the fleet - also to be built at the FMEL yard on the Clyde - there will be further good news to come for our island communities.

"I congratulate all parties involved in the project and look forward to seeing the MV Catriona enter full service next year."

Liam Campbell, Managing Director, FMEL, added: "We would like to acknowledge our appreciation to both CMAL and the Scottish Government for placing the order for the latest hybrid vessels with FMEL last September. The build of MV Catriona was a welcome boost to us and, indeed, the Inverclyde Community."

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) Managing Director, Martin Dorchester, said: "We look forward to welcoming this, the third vessel in this class, to our fleet and working with CMAL to get her in service as quickly as possible. The further adoption of hybrid technology reinforces CalMac's position as the UK's most innovative ferry operator."

The first hybrid ferry, the MV Hallaig, was launched in December 2011 and services the Sconser to Raasay route.

MV Lochinvar, the second hybrid ferry runs from Tarbert to Portavadie and launched in May 2013.

Their low-carbon hybrid system is leading to a reduction in fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Operational experience has shown, from analysis of MV Hallaig, that the hybrid vessels are capable of reducing fuel consumption by up to 38% compared to a conventionally powered vessel of the same size.

The reduction of fuel consumption will result in a decrease in CO2 emissions in excess of 5,500 tonnes per vessel over their lifetime with a proportionally similar decrease in sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions.

#PeakCapacity – At its peak a total of six ferries will operate the Holyhead-Dublin route to cope with increased demand from passengers and freight travelling over the busy Christmas and early New Year periods, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The combined capacity of Irish Ferries and Stena Line on the premier Irish Sea route provides passengers and freight customers with a choice of travel options. Altogether the mixed tonnage operating includes four conventional ferries, a fast-craft ferry and a ropax ferry.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Irish Ferries are boosting capacity with introduction of cruiseferry Oscar Wilde which will operate alongside the route’s routine fast-craft ferry Jonathan Swift and their flagship cruiseferry Ulysses.

Stena Line for this Christmas period have more capacity available compared to last year, since the larger Stena Supefast X entered service earlier this year to replace the smaller ropax Stena Nordica. The introduction of 'Superfast X' positions Stena with more evenly matched tonnage as in March, the newcomer joined Stena Adventurer on the core Wales-Ireland link. 

Following Irish Ferries completion of a final Rosslare-Cherbourg round trip sailing today, Oscar Wilde is to transfer to Dublin-Holyhead route this weekend and take over the roster of smaller ropax Epsilon. In turn Epsilon will remain in service albeit in a freight-only mode operating on certain days next week prior to Christmas Day.

In addition to Holyhead duties, Epsilon is to run this weekend’s Dublin-Cherbourg run and on following weekends after the festive break. Also operating on the continental link is Stena Line, serving out of Rosslare to Cherbourg. 

#ManXmas – It’s that time of year as Isle of Man Steam Packet sailings are lined up for before and after Christmas Day on the seasonal Douglas-Dublin route which is to reopen this weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Ro-pax Ben-My-Chree is to make an overnight round trip departing Douglas on Saturday, 19th December at 19.30. An arrival in Dublin Port (terminal 1) is scheduled just after midnight on the next day, Sunday 20th December at 00.15.

Those intending to travel on the return leg, sees Ben-My-Chree depart Dublin Port on Sunday, 20th December at 01.00 and with an arrival back in the Manx capital, Douglas at 05.45.

Following the festivities, the Steam Packet is to repeat the overnight round-trip service as Ben-My-Chree is to depart on Boxing /St. Stephen’s Day from Douglas on Saturday, 26th December at 19.30. An arrival to Dublin is timed for the early hours of Sunday, 27th December at 00.15.

This is to be followed by a tight turnaround as Ben-My-Chree bids Dublin Port farewell on her final Irish sailing of 2015. The ferry is to depart the capital on Sunday, 27th December at 01.00 and with a return sailing scheduled in Douglas at 05.45.

The ‘Ben’ in addition to operating on the main Manx-UK route between Douglas-Heysham, also serves a winter Douglas-Birkenhead (Liverpool) at the Twelve Quays Terminal on the Wirral Peninsula.

She has also carried out crossings on the seasonal Douglas-Belfast route down through the years, though the majority of sailings are the preserve of fast-craft, Manannan.

In order to maintain services during the Christmas periods, the Steam Packet have both Manannan and freight-only ferry Arrow available on standby at this important time of year. Arrow yesterday berthed in Liverpool docks following freight cover for Channel Islands operator, Condor Ferries.

The fast-craft Manannan as previously reported on Afloat.ie is ‘wintering’ in Douglas.Normally she would lay-up for winter on Merseyside. 

Outside of Christmas time, the Dublin-Isle of Man route is a seasonal service running between March and August and during these months sailings are also served by Manannan.

The InCAT built 96m car-carrying catamaran is to undergo routine maintenance early in the new year. On completion of these works, Manannan is to begin the 2016 season. The craft is kept busy as the schedule includes running on her mainstay Douglas-Liverpool route which gets under way around mid-March.

#ExtraCapacity - Oscar Wilde (1987/31,914gt) is set to boost capacity on the Dublin-Holyhead route to faciltate passenger demand over the busy Christmas period when extra sailings begin this weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie the French routes cruiseferry with capacity for 1,458 passengers, 730 cars and 90 trucks, is to cover the Ireland-Wales route over the festive period with sailings also extending into the early New Year.

The additional capacity by Irish Ferries comes in direct competition with Stena Line, who for the first time have a larger second ship in service thanks to the ‘Superfast X’ introduced earlier this year in March.

Oscar Wilde is nearing the end of seasonal French duties for 2015 as the final Rosslare-Cherbourg is tonight. The return leg from France will see Oscar Wilde at the Wexford port on 18 December. A second seasonal route also operated by the cruiseferry and again from Roscoff to Roscoff ceased in mid-September. 

The 1987 built former Scandinavian ferry, Kronprins Harald of Color Line, was introduced on the Ireland-France services two decades later, having replaced Normandy. On her return to Rosslare this Friday, Oscar Wilde heads northbound to reposition in Dublin Port by making the short sea passage off the Leinster coast with an arrival in the capital on Saturday morning.

Later that same day on 19 December, Oscar Wilde will begin her roster on the Dublin route with a 14.05 sailing bound for Holyhead. She will join the company’s route fleetmates in the form of the flagship Ulysses, fast-craft Jonathan Swift, the only high-speed craft to operate a year-round service between Ireland and the UK mainland in 2015. 

In addition, Irish Ferries on the Dublin-Holyhead route have capacity in the form of the chartered Visentini built ro-pax, Epsilon. This routine third vessel is also utilized by Irish Ferries to still maintain a year-round option on French operations despite withdrawal of ‘Oscar’s' continental services. As at weekends, Epsilon provides a round-trip Dublin-Cherbourg service in between weekday duties on the Welsh route. 

The deployment of Oscar Wilde on the core Irish Sea route is the second successive year that Irish Ferries have had four ferries on the Dublin-Holyhead route during Christmas. In the case of 2014, it was the Isle of Inishmore (1997/34,031gt) with more capacity than the Oscar Wilde that assisted capacity during the festive season having transferred from her Rosslare-Pembroke role. 

Sailings on the southern corridor route were covered by the Oscar following the end of French services that season.

#FreightFerries - Seatruck Ferries Arrow on charter to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, is currently returning to the Irish Sea in advance of Christmas, following freight relief cover for Channel Islands operator Condor Ferries, writes Jehan Ashmore.

When the 65 trailer unit Arrow returns to the Isle of Man, this will allow for added back-up cover should the ropax Ben-My-Chree require during the busy Christmas period and be subject to any damage or mechancial issues.

Arrow, an ‘R’ class freight-ferry and sister of Clipper Ranger (see, Seatruck’s third Liverpool ship) has been standing in for the winter maintenance overhaul of Condor Ferries ro-pax Commodore Clipper. The 550 passenger/55 car ro-pax has undergone a ‘scrubber’ emission technology installation to comply with the EU low sulphur directive.

Commodore Clipper also received a new livery given that applied to this year’s newcomer, Condor Liberation. The Austal built 102m fast-ferry trimaran craft made her debut in March on the Poole-Guernsey-Jersey routes.

To maintain the daily lifeline demands of the Channel Islands link to the UK, a two-ship service (to Portsmouth) was ensured by the Arrow in support of Condor Ferries freight-ferry, Commodore Goodwill. The company cited, it is always difficult to secure the right sized vessel, given the harbour restrictions imposed by St. Helier, Jersey and St. Peter Port on Guernsey.

Work to install scrubbers on the Commodore Goodwill, is also part of the winter overhaul programme on the vessel that also links Jersey with France, using the port of St. Malo, from where Condor Rapide also provides a fast-ferry link to the continent.

Commodore Clipper represents the only conventional ferry tonnage on the Channel Islands-UK and likewise of the ‘Goodwill’ she serves Portsmouth. As of yesterday afternoon, the Arrow departed the Hampshire port and is bound intially for Liverpool with an arrival on Merseyside tomorrow morning.

The ‘Clipper’ however, still remains out of service, while in dry-dock at A&P Falmouth. The 1999 Dutch built ro-pax is of a similar design of the Steam Packet’s Ben-My-Chree which too was completed by Van de Giessen du Nord but in the previous year.  

She mostly operates the Douglas-Heysham route. In addition she runs a winter Douglas-Birkenhead (Liverpool) service as fast-ferry, Manannan is 'wintering' in the Manx capital from where the craft resumes sailings to Liverpool's landing stage in Spring 2016. 

#MotorwayOfTheSea – The France-Spain ‘motorway of the sea’ (MoS) ro-ro service between the Atlantic ports of St. Nazaire (Nantes) and Vigo, with capacity for 100 unaccompanied trailers is to benefit from €27 million in state aid, with both countries each contributing €12 million in funding.

The service will also benefit from a €3 million subsidy from the European Union within the framework of its ‘Marco Polo’ sustainable freight transport programme.

Lloyd’s Loading List.com understands that the €27 million in funding is to be spread across seven years, ensuring the economic viability of this MoS service in the mid-term and giving hauliers an alternative to crossing much of France and Spain by truck. The transit time of the St.Nazaire-Vigo ferry is 27 hours.

Also according to Lloyds, a rival to the ‘freight-only’ service operated by Suardiaz Atlántica was LD Lines St Nazaire-Gijón route that closed in September 2014. The company withdrew its three-times-weekly MoS service as public sector subsidies totalling €34 million over a period of four years were not prolonged. For more on the story, click here.

Afloat.ie adds that LD Lines also that month closed two UK-Spain Routes from Poole, Dorset. The passenger and freight company were citing reasons to close were due to a 'business review' of operations.

LD Lines had operated the ro-pax Norman Atlantic (2009/26,904gt) on the St Nazaire-Gijón route and on an Irish leg of the landbridge route to Spain, this been St. Nazaire-Rosslare. This double route service, Rosslare-St.Nazaire-Gijón, was historic in that it was the first ferry connecting Ireland and Spain, albeit via France.

The ferry launched the Irish route under the name Scintu (see, photo), having served service in the Mediterranean. She was renamed to reflect her 'Atlantic' routes role.

The Rosslare-St.Nazaire route begin in early 2014, however the service suffered an interruption when the Visentini built ro-pax taken off service for three months in March. This was initially to dry-dock the Norman Atlantic and it is understood the ro-pax boosted capacity in support of her sister, Norman Astuarias (2007/26,904) on the France-Spain leg of the route.

In June, the 550 passenger Norman Atlantic (see, photo) resumed the 22 hour route between Wexford and the Loire-Atlantique, yet this would only last to late August when LD Lines completely pulled the plug on the Irish route.

Another Bay of Biscay route was proposed between the Port of Cork Company and the Port of Gijon which was due to began in March 2011. Dialogue with potential operators and investors in the project, however proved more challenging given then the business climate to establish the direct Ireland-Spain service. 

Returning to LD Lines and following the closure of the France-Spanish service, the Norman Atlantic was chartered to Anek Lines. Tragically her last sailing took place almost a year ago in late December 2014 when fire broke-out on the vehicle deck. The incident occured 80 miles west of Corfu during a sailing from Patras, Greece to the Italian port of Ancona.

According to Ships Monthly, high seas and strong winds hampered rescue operations, with fatalities on board, along with two crew members who died on an Albanian tug when a tow line snapped.