Larne Ferry Web News Archive Jan

The Larne Ferry Bulletin Board is updated thanks to information obtained from the Irish Sea Shipping Website www.irishseashipping.com, the Yahoo Ferry Groups and via email from correspondents. Many thanks to you all for taking the time to inform me of your news.

The handover of the P&O Larne - Fleetwood route to Stena Line has been delayed from the 5th of April until at least the 19th of April. The two companies have to await a ruling from the Irish Competition Authorities before they can proceed with the change over.

There were two missed voyages on the Larne - Fleetwood route in recent weeks. The European Pioneer missed her 1000hrs sailing from Larne on Tuesday the 23rd of March and the corresponding 2200hrs return from Fleetwood due to an engine problem. The ship re-entered service with the 1000hrs sailing from Larne on the 24th of March after spending the day at anchor off Larne.

The European Leader also missed a trip on Monday the 29th of March. Her 2200hrs sailing from Larne was cancelled and the corresponding return from Fleetwood at 1000hrs the next day were cancelled. She spent part of the 30th of March in from anchor on Curran Quay while the European Mariner went to anchor to let the European Leader in.

Larne based fast ferry Superstar Express arrived at Larne early on Sunday the 14th of March from her Birkenhead lay up and dry docking. She departed A&P Birkenhead ship yard with the tide at 1430 after being laid up there from the 16th of September 2003 when she completed summer service on the Larne - Cairnryan and Troon routes.

The vessel tied up at Larne on her usual berth at Chaine Quay and will complete her internal refit at the berth prior to entering service on the Cairnryan and Troon routes for the summer season on the 8th of April.

As a consequence of the Superstar Express occupying Chaine Quay the European Mariner which normally used that berth for weekend lay up now has to go to anchor while the European Seafarer which is normally laid up for the weekend from the Fleetwood service gets Curran Quay.

Stena Line have announced that the three ferries they have bought from P&O that sail on the Fleetwood route are to simply be renamed with Stena prefixes instead of their existing European prefixes.

European Pioneer will become Stena Pioneer
European Seafarer will be renamed Stena Seafarer
and European Leader becomes Stena Leader

Stena Line and P&O have at last come to an agreement over the sale of the P&O's Larne - Fleetwood route to Stena. The original plan for Stena to buy out the Fleetwood operation and the Dublin to Liverpool was blocked by the Competition Commission in early February after the Commission ruled that there would be significant lessening of Competition on the Dublin routes if Stena were to buy out P&O.

The Commission did rule that the Fleetwood operation could go to Stena and recent weeks have seen both P&O and Stena Line at the negotiating table hammering out the fine print of the deal.

The announcement was made at 0900hrs on the 1st of March that Stena were buying the Larne - Fleetwood route and its ships, European Pioneer, European Seafarer and European Leader. The 50 million pound sale to Stena also includes the current Dublin - Mostyn vessels European Ambassador and European Envoy as P&O have decided to close this route.

As well as the Dublin - Mostyn service closing, also to go is P&O Irish Sea's head office at Fleetwood, the remaining P&O routes on the Irish Sea are to be managed by Dover in the future.

The deal is expected to be completed by the 5th of April 2004 after which the Stena name will once again grace the port of Larne, but for how long?

The three Larne - Fleetwood ships (left to right), European Seafarer, European Leader and European Pioneer are all set to be sold to Stena Line. Photos: LFW

P&O and Stena AB ("Stena") announce that they have signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding for Stena to purchase part of P&O's ferry operations and some of its assets on the Irish Sea. Stena will acquire P&O's Fleetwood-Larne route, including the three ferries European Leader, European Pioneer and European Seafarer, and the two P&O ferries currently operating on the Mostyn-Dublin route, European Ambassador and European Envoy. The transaction, which is subject to finalisation of contracts and employee consultation, is anticipated to complete on 5 April.

The agreement follows the decision by the UK Competition Commission last month to block a proposal from 2003 which included the transfer of P&O's Liverpool-Dublin route to Stena. In so doing, the Commission concluded that the transfer of the Fleetwood-Larne route to Stena would not raise any competition concerns.

Following the previously announced Irish Sea transaction, consultations commenced with employees about the possible closure of the loss-making Mostyn-Dublin service, of P&O's shoreside operations at the Port of Mostyn and the Fleetwood head office. These will now be resumed. P&O will continue to operate its successful Liverpool-Dublin route with the same ships - Norbay and Norbank - as at present.

Commenting on the announcement, Managing Director of P&O Ferries, Russ Peters, said "The proposed transaction is in line with our policy of focusing on our higher yielding ferry routes where we have a competitive advantage. Although some of the details have changed, the transaction would in effect achieve much of what we originally proposed last year."

Under the terms of the deal, Stena will pay P&O approximately GBP50 million in cash. As P&O's investment in assets at the Port of Mostyn will not be recovered if the Mostyn-Dublin route is closed, and the disposal proceeds will be less than the current book values of the assets being sold, P&O will write down the value of the relevant assets in its balance sheet as at 31 December 2003. This will result in an exceptional impairment charge of approximately GBP24 million in P&O's 2003 accounts.

1. P&O will continue to operate services on the Liverpool-Dublin, Larne-Cairnryan, Larne-Troon and Rosslare-Cherbourg routes.

2. On 5 February 2004 the Competition Commission published its report into the proposed acquisition by Stena of five vessels and related assets currently operated by P&O on the Liverpool-Dublin and Fleetwood-Larne routes on the Irish Sea.

3. Stena Line is a privately owned international transport and travel service company and one of the world's largest ferry operators. It currently operates four routes on the Irish Sea: Fishguard-Rosslare, Holyhead-Dublin, Holyhead-Dun Laoghaire and Stranraer-Belfast.

The motor hopper Sirius 660 which has been laid up in Larne since January 2001 has finally left the port after her long term lay up.

The vessel left Larne just after 1100 under the tow of John McLoughlin's Belfast based tug Maura. The vessel's destination was Belfast where she arrived at 1645 to undergo dry docking along with another motor hopper Orion. Incidentally Maura was chalking up her first ever visit to the port on this occasion.

If the hopper is deemed worthwhile repairing she will be heading to Finland for a long term project there. Her engines are reputedly to be in need of repair work and no doubt the hull will need attention after her long term lay up.

Sirius 660 will be remembered best by locals as she was used extensively in the redevelopment of Glenarm harbour, 12 miles north of Larne. After that work ceased the Sirius 660 was laid up in a variety of berths in Larne, initially at the Bank Quay, but she has also laid up at Olderfleet Quay and most recently at Phoenix Quay.

Hopper barge Sirius 660 (right of picture) caught on camera at work in Glenarm harbour 12 miles north of Larne on the 14th of September 2000. After her work at Glenarm was completed she was laid up in Larne from January 2001. Photo: Aubrey Dale

SIRIUS 660
Gross tonnage: 588
Type of ship: Motor Hopper
Year of build: 1972
Flag: Ireland
Registered owner: MARINUS HOLDINGS, Castleshane, Monaghan IRISH REPUBLIC

A report appeared in Lloyd's List on the 18th of February indicating that both P&O and Stena Line were back at the negotiating table over Stena's proposed buy out of P&O's Fleetwood and Liverpool routes.

Earlier in the week Stena had announced they were dropping the proposal to acquire the routes and assets operated by P&O from Larne - Fleetwood and Dublin - Liverpool. This deal had earlier been blocked by the United Kingdom's Competition Commission due to a significant lessening in competition on the middle corridor routes out of Dublin.

The Larne - Fleetwood side of the deal was given the all clear by the Competition Commission and it is this part of the original deal that is thought to being under re-negotiation by the two companies.

The former Larne - Cairnryan vessel European Pathfinder completed her first commercial sailing for her new owners since her withdrawal from Larne in July 2002. Click here to access a page of photos looking at this vessel in her new colours

Severe westerly and north-westerly gales lashed the Larne ferries from midday on the 7th of February. The Fleetwood service was worst affected with all ships being late on the 7th of February. The European Pioneer sailed with a load for Fleetwood in the afternoon but was forced to shelter off the Isle of Man for several hours on the morning of the 8th of February. European Seafarer departed Larne around 0100 on the 8th of February with the delayed 2200 service from the day before, while the European Leader had a weekend off for maintenance and berthed on Curran Quay after her delayed arrival at 2000 on the 7th. All three Fleetwood vessels were back on schedule by Monday the 9th of February. The European Pioneer spent a while on the 8th of February sheltering in Douglas Bay in the lee of the Isle of Man.

European Pioneer pictured in Douglas Bay on the 8th of February 2004 sheltering from the westerly gales. Photo: Alex McCormac

On the Cairnryan service the two vessels were still running despite gusts of over 50 knots in the harbour. The port tug Sarah McLoughlin was on hand and ably assisted all the ships to get safely berthed. Berthing was made difficult by the off-shore wind and I watched the European Highlander, assisted by Sarah McLoughlin, spending in excess of 1 hour battling against the wind trying to get berthed at the conclusion of her delayed 2000 sailing from Cairnryan on the 7th. The ship had spent 45 minutes in the harbour with her stern into the wind and her bow, blown round by the wind, was sitting across the harbour at right angles to the berth. She was all secure shortly after midnight when a slight lull in the wind allowed Captain McAlinden to get the vessel alongside the quay.

All the ship's crews and the boatmen deserve a special mention for their skill and determination to keep sailings going in these most hostile of conditions.

The port tug Sarah McLoughlin pictured in calmer weather during summer 2002. The tug has been valuable in allowing P&O to keep their sailings running during the recent rough weather. Photo: Larne Ferry Web

The coastal cargo vessel Kielder called in to Larne for some charts on the 7th of February. She came into the port limits as far as Number 1 buoy early in the afternoon. The charts were taken out to the vessel by the port's tug boat and the the Kielder departed again into rough seas.

IMO number: 8843850
Name of ship: KIELDER
Call Sign: MCSQ3
Gross tonnage: 2138
Type of ship: General Cargo Ship
Year of build: 1982
Flag: Isle of Man
Registered owner: STEPHENSON CLARKE, Percy Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne UK

Competition Commission Reports on P&O/Stena Line Irish Sea Deal
5th February 2004

On the 5th of February the Competition Commission published their report into the proposed acquisition by Stena Line of several key ferry assets belonging to P&O on the Irish Sea.

Under investigation was the transfer to Stena of the P&O ferry routes Dublin - Liverpool and Larne - Fleetwood along with the 5 ships that operate those routes. Two additional ferries were to be chartered to Stena following the proposed closure of the Dublin - Mostyn route.

The Competition Commission has ruled that the Larne - Fleetwood route and the 3 ships, European Pioneer, European Seafarer and European Leader may transfer to Stena as planned. The transfer of the Dublin - Liverpool route will be blocked by the Commission as they have ruled that there will be a significant lessening of competition on the middle corridor routes into Dublin should P&O be allowed to sell to Stena.

Both ferry companies have released statements saying they are disappointed with the Commission's decision and that they are reviewing their plans in light of the report.

After spending over a year laid up at Ostend, Belgium undergoing extensive refurbishment and engine repairs, the one time Larne - Cairnryan ferry European Pathfinder is ready to enter commercial service once more.

Replaced in the Larne fleet by the arrival of European Highlander in July 2002 the European Pathfinder spent a number of months laid up in Liverpool before being sold to Trans Europa Ferries in December 2002.

She spent her final few weeks at Larne operating on only one engine, her port engine suffered major failure and despite the best efforts of local P&O engineers they couldn't put the problem right with the budget they had available. At one point she was rumoured to be heading for scrap.

Being sold to Trans Europa Ferries was probably the best thing that could happen to the ship. Well known for their miracle work in bringing life expired ferries back from the brink Trans Europa's engineers have not disappointed with the former European Pathfinder.

Now renamed Begonia the former European Pathfinder is looking splendid in her new white, red and yellow colour scheme and both of her 9 cylinder Werkspoor diesel engines are in full working order. She sailed from Ostend for Vlissingen to undergo dry docking on the 17th of January, returning to Ostend on the 31st of January. She is due to enter commercial service on the Ostend to Ramsgate route to cover the dry docking of the Larkspur around the 9th of February 2004.

With the sad news over the past year of several old Larne ships being scraped it is with great pleasure that I bring you this news of one old Larne phoenix rising from the ashes.

Until January this year the former Antrim Princess had been serving routes from the west coast of Italy to Tunisia and the islands of Sardinia, Scicily and Corsica as Lauro Express. She has recently been named Giuseppe D'Abundo and continues on her routes as usual for Medmar.

The Larne - Fleetwood vessel European Pioneer missed her scheduled sailing on Friday the 30th of January and instead was laid up on Curran Quay. The European Seafarer stepped up the roster to cover the absence of the European Pioneer while the European Seafarer's own sailings were cancelled. The European Seafarer also covered the European Pioneer's Saturday trip.

The European Pioneer started again with her 1000 service from Larne on the 2nd of February, while the European Seafarer returned to her normal schedule with her 1600 service from Larne.

Coastal tanker Mersey Fisher operated by James Fisher and Sons of Barrow in Furness arrived at Ballylumford Power Station with a delivery of oil for the new Combined Cycle Gas Turbine station. She arrived at the former 'A' station jetty shortly after 0800 on the 31st and departed later that same evening.

Captain Hywel Jones of the European Mariner has recently retired after a long career with P&O. Captain Jones who is from Cardiff and a big ice hockey fan started his career with P&O in 1972. He will probably be best remembered for his long service as master of the Puma. In recent years he moved from the Fleetwood ships to the Larne - Troon service and just last year took the European Navigator away from Larne for the final time.

His final voyage as master was the 1900 service from Larne to Troon on the 19th of January and the return to Larne the next day. Larne Ferry Web wishes Captain Jones a long and happy retirement.

Captain Hywel Jones at the combinator controls of the Puma making a film about safety at sea for AB Ports Fleetwood. Photo: Gary Andrews collection

Captain Hywel Jones (extreme right of picture) pictured with Pandoro management at the occasion of the refurbishment of the Puma believed to be around 1988. Photo: Gary Andrews Collection

Larne based vessel European Seafarer has been absent from the Larne - Fleetwood route since late December covering overhauls of her P&O Irish Sea fleet mates. From the 21st of December she was engaged on the Dublin - Mostyn to cover the dry docking of the European Ambassador at Harland and Wolff, Belfast. Photos of her in action on the middle corridor including a one off trip from Larne - Liverpool can be accessed on the Irish Sea Shipping website.

After a successful tour of duty at Dublin the European Seafarer transferred to the southern route between Rosslare and Cherbourg. Her final sailing from Dublin was the 2000hrs sailing on the 8th of January 2004. After discharge in Mostyn the next morning she headed to Rosslare to take the schedule of the dry docked European Diplomat with the 2200 sailing to Cherbourg.

On her return voyage from Cherbourg at 0100hrs on Sunday the 11th of January, sailing into a south-westerly gale a trailer broke loose on board. The ship, with 25 passengers on board, headed for the shelter of St. Ives bay on the north coast of Cornwall to get out of the weather so the crew could secure the loose trailer. With the trailer secure and the wind eased, the Seafarer headed back to sea and arrived at Rosslare on the morning of Monday the 12th. She completed one more round trip to Cherbourg before returning home to Larne on Sunday the 18th of January. She took up her run with the 1600 service to Fleetwood the next day.

European Seafarer shows she can take the rough with the smooth. Left picture, departing Larne for Fleetwood in a stormy day in 2002. During her recent spell at Rosslare ship and crew were tested to the limit by bad weather and came through admirably. Photo: William Agnew. Right picture: At rest basking in the August heat at Larne in 2003 during turn round at Continental Quay. Photo: Larne Ferry Web. Click photos to enlarge.

Two coasters have been in at Larne recently. First to arrive was Heimglimt, she was spotted on Thursday the 15th of January with a load of marble chippings. After she departed on Friday, the next day saw the arrival of Ben Nevis which took the Heimglimt's berth at Olderfleet Quay.

Both vessels have been at Larne in the past year and pictures below are reproduced from the news archive:


Left: Heimglimt arriving at Larne with a cargo of marble chippings in October 2003. Right: Ben Nevis departing Larne with a load of concrete block for the island of South Uist in the Hebrides in June 2003. Both photos: Jimmy Dowey (click to enlarge)

Larne had another full house over the New Year holiday with all 4 ro-ro ramps being occupied by vessels. The European Pioneer was on Continental Quay, European Mariner on Chaine Quay, European Causeway on MacKean Quay and European Leader on Curran Quay. All ships sounded in the New Year on the 31st of December with a extended chorus on their horns as is the tradition at the port.

Last outbound crossing 2000 ex Larne by European Highlander. She was laid up at Cairnryan over the New Year.

Last inbound service 2000 ex Cairnryan by European Causeway, berthed in Larne at 2200 on MacKean Quay. The European Causeway restarted sailings again with the 1500 service ex Larne on the 1st of January 2004. The European Highlander started from Cairnryan at the same time.

Last outbound service was the 2200 sailing on the 30th of December 2003 by European Pioneer. Last inbound sailing was the 1300 (normally 1000) ex Fleetwood also by European Pioneer. This was delayed due to bad weather and didn't get into Larne until early on New Year's day.

The European Leader was out of action between Christmas and New Year due to engine trouble. She missed all her sailings - 0900 ex Larne on the 29th; 1000 ex Larne on the 30th and 2200 ex Fleetwood on the 29th and 30th of January. She remained on Curran Quay throughout and was back in action with the 2200 service ex Larne on the 2nd of January 2004.

Last outbound service was the 1900 ex Larne on the 30th of December with the last inbound sailing being the 0230 ex Troon on the 31st of December 2003. On arrival at Larne the European Mariner berthed on Chaine Quay and discharged remaining there until the 1900 service from Larne on the 4th of January 2004.

Port of Larne at 1330hrs on the 1st of January 2004. Left to right the vessels are; European Pioneer at Continental Quay; European Mariner at Chaine Quay; European Causeway at MacKean Quay and European Leader at Curran Quay. Photo: Larne Ferry Web

Looking for old news stories? Then access the Larne Ferry Web News Archive by clicking here. Archives go back to February 2002