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Operator of New Ireland-Mainland Europe Route Delivers Norwegian Christmas Tree to UK

2nd December 2020
Spruce Shipped: Operator DFDS which in a month's time launches a new direct ro-ro freight ferry route between Ireland-mainland Europe (Rosslare-Dunkirk) in northern France to bypass Brexit, recently transported the iconic London Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree. The tradition of this annual gift from Norway to the UK is in recogition of strong ties during WW2. Above: Stern of DFDS ship Ficaria Seaways at the Port of Immingham in the UK from where the unique cargo of a Norway Spruce was bound for the UK capital. Spruce Shipped: Operator DFDS which in a month's time launches a new direct ro-ro freight ferry route between Ireland-mainland Europe (Rosslare-Dunkirk) in northern France to bypass Brexit, recently transported the iconic London Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree. The tradition of this annual gift from Norway to the UK is in recogition of strong ties during WW2. Above: Stern of DFDS ship Ficaria Seaways at the Port of Immingham in the UK from where the unique cargo of a Norway Spruce was bound for the UK capital. Credit: DFDS

Shipping giant DFDS which this date next month launches a new direct Ireland-mainland Europe ro-ro freight ferry route to bypass Brexit congestion, continued a decades old tradition in transporting from Norway a Christmas Tree to the UK, writes Jehan Ashmore

The operator based in Copenhagen, Denmark which has an extensive route network in Europe (in addition services to Turkey) includes a service to Associated British Ports (ABP) Port of Immingham which welcomed the arrival of the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree.

Delivery of this unique cargo of a 23m tall Norwegian Spruce affectionately regarded by forestry workers as the "Queen of the Forest" was loaded onboard DFDS 340 truck-trailer capacity freighter Ficaria Seaways. The ferry with cabins for 12 accompanied drivers, sailed across the North Sea to the UK’s largest port by tonnage, handling around 46m tonnes of cargo.

The team at DFDS Seaways terminal in Immingham also welcomed the delivery of the UK's most famous festive tree is a token of gratitude from the people of Oslo and government of Norway, for Britain’s support during World War 2. The gift of the tree is in recognition of the UK's assistance of the Norwegian royal family which for five years lived as exiles in London.

The gift of a tree from the Nordic nation has been an annual tradition that began in 1947 and for the past 25 years the delivery has been handled by DFDS. This year marks the 73rd year of such commemorations. To put this timescale into perspective, Afloat has noted the Norwegian Embassy in the UK said it takes 60 -100 years for a tree to grow to about 21 meters.

So the Christmas tree for 2020 will exceed this height and stand proud in one of the most famous landmark and tourist attractions of the UK capital.

Following the tree's transportation by road to Trafalgar Square, preparations began for a 'virtual' lighting-up ceremony which is to take place tomorrow, Wednesday, 3rd December.

Decoration is in traditional Norwegian style and adorned with energy-efficient lights. As for the virtual ceremony, this is to feature performances from the Salvation Army, the Poetry Society and the St Martin-in-the-Fields Choir.

Published in Ferry
Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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Ferry & Car Ferry News The ferry industry on the Irish Sea, is just like any other sector of the shipping industry, in that it is made up of a myriad of ship operators, owners, managers, charterers all contributing to providing a network of routes carried out by a variety of ships designed for different albeit similar purposes.

All this ferry activity involves conventional ferry tonnage, 'ro-pax', where the vessel's primary design is to carry more freight capacity rather than passengers. This is in some cases though, is in complete variance to the fast ferry craft where they carry many more passengers and charging a premium.

In reporting the ferry scene, we examine the constantly changing trends of this sector, as rival ferry operators are competing in an intensive environment, battling out for market share following the fallout of the economic crisis. All this has consequences some immediately felt, while at times, the effects can be drawn out over time, leading to the expense of others, through reduced competition or takeover or even face complete removal from the marketplace, as witnessed in recent years.

Arising from these challenging times, there are of course winners and losers, as exemplified in the trend to run high-speed ferry craft only during the peak-season summer months and on shorter distance routes. In addition, where fastcraft had once dominated the ferry scene, during the heady days from the mid-90's onwards, they have been replaced by recent newcomers in the form of the 'fast ferry' and with increased levels of luxury, yet seeming to form as a cost-effective alternative.

Irish Sea Ferry Routes

Irrespective of the type of vessel deployed on Irish Sea routes (between 2-9 hours), it is the ferry companies that keep the wheels of industry moving as freight vehicles literally (roll-on and roll-off) ships coupled with motoring tourists and the humble 'foot' passenger transported 363 days a year.

As such the exclusive freight-only operators provide important trading routes between Ireland and the UK, where the freight haulage customer is 'king' to generating year-round revenue to the ferry operator. However, custom built tonnage entering service in recent years has exceeded the level of capacity of the Irish Sea in certain quarters of the freight market.

A prime example of the necessity for trade in which we consumers often expect daily, though arguably question how it reached our shores, is the delivery of just in time perishable products to fill our supermarket shelves.

A visual manifestation of this is the arrival every morning and evening into our main ports, where a combination of ferries, ro-pax vessels and fast-craft all descend at the same time. In essence this a marine version to our road-based rush hour traffic going in and out along the commuter belts.

Across the Celtic Sea, the ferry scene coverage is also about those overnight direct ferry routes from Ireland connecting the north-western French ports in Brittany and Normandy.

Due to the seasonality of these routes to Europe, the ferry scene may be in the majority running between February to November, however by no means does this lessen operator competition.

Noting there have been plans over the years to run a direct Irish –Iberian ferry service, which would open up existing and develop new freight markets. Should a direct service open, it would bring new opportunities also for holidaymakers, where Spain is the most visited country in the EU visited by Irish holidaymakers ... heading for the sun!