Pride of Dover is going for Scrap

[Kyle Larabee]

Well I am hopeing for the best Pride of Dover.

Kyle

[Kyle Larabee]

Here is a video of her leaving Tilbury.

http://youtu.be/rxzWvmT05pk

Kyle

[Edvard Aaseboe]

I se on MarinTraffic that Eide Fighter has change course, and are heading to what i belive are Lyme Bay.

Edvard

[Damien McCarthy]

what is Eide Fighter doing shes just done a circle off Torquay in the English Channel

[davidships]

Choose between something needing attention or change in weather forecast for Biscay, I suppose.  If latter, expect slow circles until ready to depart.  No sign of any other vessel atttending.

[CedricH]

It looks like the tug she has now set off again in the direction of the Bay of Biscay. Making 4.4 knots now.

Kind regards
Cedric

[John Jones]

Seems like the Eide Fighter has finally made it to the Med with her tow, reported in the Alboran Sea to the south of Spain this afternoon making 7.2 knots. Her expected arrival at Tuzla is now showing as Christmas Day.
Best Regards
John J.

[Robert Smith]

Scandlines has apparently bought both ferries "Pride of Dover" and "Pride of Calais" for it's Rostock-Gedser route. More info may follow later on.

[Kyle Larabee]

This is great news would love to see more info on it too when you get more.

Kyle

[CedricH]

Scandlines has apparently bought both ferries "Pride of Dover" and "Pride of Calais" for it's Rostock-Gedser route. More info may follow later on.

The Scandlines story is definitely a false story. April fools day is still abour 4 months away. Three reasons:
1. Trans Europa Ferries have just officially confirmed (see press release below) that they have chartered the Pride of Calais for 3 years. The Pride of Calais has been renamed Ostend Spirit and has done berthing trials in Oostende (today) and Ramsgate (yesterday). The news has also been confirmed by Belgian media. I can personally testify that the Pride of Calais has been renamed "Ostend Spirit" and that she is now in Oostende. Pictures of her doing berthing trials are available on the Dover Ferry Photos Forum. This is an example (in Dutch):
http://kw.knack.be/west-vlaanderen/nieuws/algemeen/transeuropa-ferries-oostende-huurt-p-o-ferry-in/article-4000223832578.htm
http://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2955&start=175 (registration required)
2. Scandlines are going to order an updated version of their GR12 ships to be delivered in 2015. It would seem a little daft to buy ships just to cover those three years whilst their current ships can easily manage that time.
http://www.ferryvolution.com/2012/12/16/gr12-to-become-gr15/
3. The story went that the Pride of Calais and the Pride of Dover would be combined into one huge ship. This is obviously impossible and rather daft sounding

[Kyle Larabee]

So the Dover is not a part of the deal ?

Kyle

[CedricH]

The future of the Pride of Dover is still unknown at the moment. The Belgian press and sources close to P&O who were right about the Pride of Calais deal, said that the Pride of Dover would be towed to Turkey for major repairs. In Turkey, she would be renamed "Ramsgate Spirit" and be placed under Belgian flag. She would then join the "Ostend Spirit" on the Oostende - Ramsgate run.

At the moment though, I should stress that this is just a rumour. Trans Europa Ferries will hold a press conference in January 2013 where they will announce the future direction of the company so we won't know more until then.

Kind regards
Cedric

[Robert Smith]

Well Cedric, that's exactly why I only spent one line on the subject yesterday. Overzealous reporters and foggy spokesmen can cause a great fuss ! Let's wait and see how things will develop.

Brgds,
Robert.

 

[CedricH]

Hi Robert,

it is certainly no bad thing to post this information here! If the only thing you hear is that the two ships could be sold to Scandlines, it is definitely possible. However after reading that text on Ferries of Northern Europe, it's probably just something someone made up.

All I know from what I've heard, read and seen, is that the Pride of Calais is definitely going to Trans Euopa Ferries. The future of the Pride of Dover is much more unclear though!

Kind regards
Cedric

[Kyle Larabee]

Ok thx for the info guys I guess we well just have wait and see I guess.

Kyle