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Displaying items by tag: Fleet Expansion

#MoreOrders - CLdN Ro-Ro SA which operates between Dublin and northern European ports has now confirmed two more vessels have been ordered, with options for a further four, through the Croatian shipbuilder Uljanik.

The orders according to Multimodal, follow an ambitious fleet expansion programme announced last September by the Luxembourg based short-sea operator.

Currently CLdN RoRo SA operate 24 modern RoRo vessels, offering in excess of 100 sailings per week between the ports of Zeebrugge, Rotterdam, London, Killingholme, Dublin, Gothenburg, Esbjerg and Porto had previously announced its intention to add 12 new vessels to its fleet over the coming years.

CLdN, whose core services have traditionally been the Continent /UK, which commenced in December 1974, have steadily expanded their geographical presence into new markets, including Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Portugal in recent years

The initial orders, being built at the Korean yard of Hyundai were described as ‘Game changers’ at the time of order, offering 8,000 lane meters of Ro-Ro capacity. The additional orders are of the same flexible and radical design and offer 5400 lane meters, to accommodate high utilisation of trailers, containers and automotive products in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner, being ‘’LNG ready’’ for straightforward conversion to LNG propulsion.

A company spokesperson described the additional orders as the ‘workhorses’ of the expanding fleet, as they have the durability and flexibility to operate on any of the network and offer complete interchangeability to cater for the demands of the differing trades.

The company sees this as giving a key advantage in this segment and allows it to adapt to customer demands or changing market conditions very rapidly.

These orders fit with CLdN's ambition to develop an additional 70% capacity over the next four years and the Ports Division, C.Ro Ports has now embarked on preparing Terminal infrastructure to be ready for the arrival of the new ships, which will commence delivery Quarter 3 2017.

Published in Ports & Shipping

About the Golden Globe Race

The Golden Globe Race is the original round the world yacht race. In 1968, while man was preparing to take his first steps on the moon, a mild mannered and modest young man was setting out on his own record breaking voyage of discovery. Off shore yacht racing changed forever with adventurers and sailors, inspired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, following in his pioneering wake. Nine men started the first solo non-stop sailing race around the World. Only one finished. History was made. Navigating with a sextant, paper charts and an accurate and reliable time piece, Sir Robin navigated around the world. In 2018, to celebrate 50 years since that first record breaking achievement, the Golden Globe Race was resurrected. It instantly caught the attention of the worlds media as well as adventures, captivated by the spirit and opportunity. The original race is back.

The Golden Globe Race: Stepping back to the golden age of solo sailing

Like the original Sunday Times event back in 1968/9, the 2018 Golden Globe Race was very simple. Depart Les Sables d'Olonne, France on July 1st 2018 and sail solo, non-stop around the world, via the five Great Capes and return to Les Sables d'Olonne. Entrants are limited to use the same type of yachts and equipment that were available to Robin Knox-Johnston in that first race. That means sailing without modern technology or benefit of satellite-based navigation aids.

Competitors must sail in production boats between 32ft and 36ft overall (9.75 10.97m) designed prior to 1988 and having a full-length keel with rudder attached to their trailing edge. These yachts will be heavily built, strong and steady, similar in concept to Robin's 32ft vessel Suhaili.

In contrast to the current professional world of elite ocean racing, this edition travels back to a time known as the 'Golden Age' of solo sailing. Suhaili was a slow and steady 32ft double-ended ketch based on a William Atkins ERIC design. She is heavily built of teak and carried no computers, GPS, satellite phone nor water-maker, and Robin completed the challenge without the aid of modern-day shore-based weather routing advice. He had only a wind-up chronometer and a barograph to face the world alone, and caught rainwater to survive, but was at one with the ocean, able to contemplate and absorb all that this epic voyage had to offer.

This anniversary edition of the Golden Globe Race is a celebration of the original event, the winner, his boat and that significant world-first achievement. Competitors in this race will be sailing simple boats using basic equipment to guarantee a satisfying and personal experience. The challenge is pure and very raw, placing the adventure ahead of winning at all costs. It is for 'those who dare', just as it was for Knox-Johnston.

They will be navigating with sextant on paper charts, without electronic instruments or autopilots. They will hand-write their logs and determine the weather for themselves.

Only occasionally will they talk to loved ones and the outside world when long-range high frequency and ham radios allow.

It is now possible to race a monohull solo around the world in under 80 days, but sailors entered in this race will spend around 300 days at sea, challenging themselves and each other. The 2018 Golden Globe Race was a fitting tribute to the first edition and it's winner, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Background on Don McIntyre (61) Race Founder

Don is an inveterate sailor and recognised as one of Australia s greatest explorers. Passionate about all forms of adventure and inspiring others, his desire is to recreate the Golden Age of solo sailing. Don finished 2nd in class in the 1990-91 BOC Challenge solo around the world yacht race. In 2010, he led the 4-man Talisker Bounty Boat challenge to re-enact the Mutiny on the Bounty voyage from Tonga to West Timor, in a simil