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Condor Ferries Second Ropax Arrives in Portsmouth Prior to Channel Islands Service

22nd August 2023
Portsmouth International Port welcomed Condor Ferries newest recruit, the MV Condor Islander, a ropax that arrived to the UK ferry port for the first time and where berthing trials took place before entering Channel Islands services from September. As AFLOAT previously reported, the former New Zealand Cook Strait ferry was acquired by Condor which led to a delivery voyage via Spain for a dry-docking and passenger interior changes in preparation for the service.
Portsmouth International Port welcomed Condor Ferries newest recruit, the MV Condor Islander, a ropax that arrived to the UK ferry port for the first time and where berthing trials took place before entering Channel Islands services from September. As AFLOAT previously reported, the former New Zealand Cook Strait ferry was acquired by Condor which led to a delivery voyage via Spain for a dry-docking and passenger interior changes in preparation for the service. Credit: PortsmouthInternationalPort/facebook

The UK ferry port of Portsmouth welcomed MV Condor Islander, the latest vessel in the fleet for Channel Islands operator Condor Ferries.

The former New Zealand Cook Strait ropax arrived at the Hampshire port on 3 August where berthing trials were carried out before the ropax is officially to enter service in the autumn.

Andrew Williamson, Portsmouth International Port’s head of cruise and ferry said: “As a lifeline service to the Channel Islands Condor Ferries plays a crucial role making sure goods and passengers can travel efficiently and safely.

“This second ship in Portsmouth means more choice for both passengers and also extra resilience for freight too.

“Following today’s successful trials we’re looking forward to seeing the Condor Islander back in the autumn when it will be fully operational.”

As a critical shipping route for Channel Island trade, Portsmouth International Port and Condor Ferries recently agreed a new long-term deal, which cements their partnership until 2033. With sailings 364 days a year, the new addition of the Condor Islander and 10-year agreement, provides certainty for this vital freight and passenger service.

John Napton, Condor’s CEO, said, “These trials are important for our crews and shore staff in the various ports to familiarise themselves with the new ship, but she will not be ready for carrying passengers for a few months as refurbishment work is still ongoing.

‘We are making a number of alterations from Islander’s previous operator so there are different requirements involved. Changes include installing a duty-free shop, changes to overnight cabin configurations and refreshing the passenger lounges.”

Condor Islander was acquired by Condor in April 2023 from New Zealand, where she was operating for StraitNZ as the MV Straitsman and positioned to Spain via the Panama Canal. The ferry is a conventional passenger and freight ropax vessel, at 124.9m long and can carry 1,286 lane metres of freight and up to 400 passengers.

Condor has over 75 years’ experience operating services. Its mixed fleet of conventional and high speed ships carry hundreds of thousands of passengers, 200,000 freight vehicles and 65,000 trailers each year between the UK, Guernsey, Jersey and the French ports of St Malo and Cherbourg.

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!