P&O Ferries has announced that it supports the replacement of existing ferries with more environmentally friendly, hydrogen-powered vessels. As Britain's first hydrogen-powered ferry – a relatively small vessel to be used in Bristol – is prepared for launch in June, P&O Ferries has hinted that it may switch to a zero-carbon fleet over the coming years. Communications executive, Michelle Ulyatt, said: "One of the big issues with that will be the ...

Shipbuilders in Finland have announced that the launch of the 'Spirit of France,' sister ship to the 'Spirit of Britain,' took place on the 17th February 2011. The announcement would suggest that STX Rauma, the shipyard constructing the new vessel, is on target to deliver the Spirit of France to P&O Ferries in October. In January, STX Rauma completed work on the Spirit of Britain – the largest passenger ferry to sail ...

Earlier this month, the skipper and owners of the Belgium trawler 'De Zwerver' were prosecuted at Folkestone Magistrates' Court after narrowly avoiding a collision with a cross-channel ferry. BVBA Deo Volante, the De Zwerver's owners, were fined £1,500 with costs of £3,733 after pleading guilty to breaching Rule 10(d) of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea. The trawler's skipper, Brian Witdoeckt, pleaded guilty to the same offence ...

Condor Ferries has safely transported Tony Robinson and his Time Team crew from Weymouth to Jersey by ferry. The ferry operator, which services routes between the UK and the Channel Islands, was pleased to offer Mr Robinson and his crew of archaeologists safe passage to Jersey. The Time Team crew travelled to Jersey in order to film a production for Channel 4. Titled 'Hitler's Island Fortress', the World War II oriented episode ...

The return of the Barfleur ferry, which will travel today from Poole to Cherbourg for the first time in a year, is set to accommodate in excess of 400 passengers and 116 cars. The popularity of the Barfleur's return has pleased the ferry's operator, Brittany Ferries, whose spokesperson Chris Jones stated: "For the first crossing, passenger numbers are looking very good. We are just delighted to see the ship back and ...

Following a public consultation led by the Economic Development Department, Condor Ferries has accepted calls to improve its services in Jersey and Guernsey. Channel Islanders are thought to have been keen to involve themselves in the consultation process, heaping criticism on the ferry operator for constant delays, faults and schedule changes. Responding to the results of the public consultation, Condor Ferries stated: "To address the issues raised by the public, officers from ...

The Steam Packet Company's Snaefell vessel has gone on sale for an undisclosed fee, as rival operator, Mezeron, abandons its activities on the Isle of Man. Available to purchase on the Mondial Broker website, the Snaefell was removed from active duty at the beginning of the year. The Steam Packet Company's decommissioning of the Snaefell, which was launched in 1991, followed a review of services, amid a bitter freight war with ...

The MS Oscar Wilde cruise ferry, which sails between Rosslare and Cherbourg, has returned to active service one week earlier than planned. The Irish Ferries' vessel had been sidelined for its annual dry-docking, but work on the ship was completed ahead of schedule. Irish Ferries has now resumed its direct crossing to France one week early, attracting considerable interest from Irish passengers, ahead of the half-term school holidays. The ferry operator ...

Kent County Council has announced plans to develop space for thousands of heavy goods vehicles near to the Port of Dover. The 70-acre site on reclaimed land near Aldington in Kent, would enable drivers to park their lorries whenever delays hit cross-Channel ferry travel. The creation of a suitably large lorry park would ease congestion on the M20 and surrounding road networks during times of bad weather, strikes and so on. A ...

The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), has announced that the 2011 National Ferry Fortnight is scheduled to take place from the 14th May to the 28th May this year. In what will be the third annual event of its kind staged in Britain, the 2011 National Ferry Fortnight is designed to highlight awareness of the ferry industry, by showcasing routes, services and ships available to passengers. Aiming to increase the media exposure of ...