ShipSpotting.com Forum
Shipspotters all over the world => Shipping News and information => Topic started by: rathey on May 27, 2008, 06:52:29 PM
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Apologies if posted elsewhere.
Very sad news. Lots of jobs to go. Don't know if somebody else might take over the route but in the current economic climate that must be a doubt.
Richard.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/7421579.stm
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Hi Richard
Well that's economics for you - indeed I'm surprised that DFDS are making a profit on their North Shields to Ijmuiden route and perhaps that will be the next to get the chop? If DFDS cannot make the Norway Route pay then I cannot see anyone else stepping in and thinking they can.
This piece courtesy of Lloyds List http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/dfds-seaways-axes-newcastle-norway-route/20017536568.htm
"DFDS Seaways axes Newcastle-Bergen route
Craig Eason - Tuesday 27 May 2008
The Queen of Scandinavia was brought into the route in 2006.
DFDS Seaways is to axe its Newcastle to Bergen route, resulting in 340 job losses.
The Danish ferry operator has blamed an
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NOOOOOOOOOO! I cannot believe they are getting rid of the Queen of Scandinavia, if you ask me they should have stuck with the Gothenburg route. I'm not that upset that they are getting rid of the route but getting rid of the queen. That is a crime in my eyes. :cry: :cry:
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I agree. The best looking ship to visit the Tyne on a regular basis and one of the easiest to take a good photo of. Will be sadly missed. Get your photos while you can.
Richard.
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Has anyone actually heard which ship they are getting rid of? It may be the case that they put the Queen back on the Ijmuiden run and get shot of Princess of Norway. We'll have to wait and see.
Alan
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ShieldsLad wrote:
Has anyone actually heard which ship they are getting rid of? It may be the case that they put the Queen back on the Ijmuiden run and get shot of Princess of Norway. We'll have to wait and see.
Alan
Hi Alan
According to an article in yesterdays Newcastle Journal it is definitely the QOS that is either to be sold or chartered out. Check out the piece, including an interview with the DFDS UK managing director John Crummie:
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2008/05/28/ferry-route-axe-to-cost-300-jobs-61634-20984345/
The main reason for moving the Princess of Norway from the Scandinavian route and onto the Ijmuiden line was that she has a much larger load capacity - room for 580 cars as opposed to the QOS's 305. Passenger wise the QOS holds more at 1760 compared to the Princess's 1600 but the highest income is from cargo/freight. the King of Scandinavia is the largest of the three with capacity for 600 cars and 2000 passengers.
Regards
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Hi Steve,
Sounds fair enough. I was speaking to the old man on Queen the other day in dry dock and he knew nothing about this announcement. Such a shame. From 4 ferries to 2 in a short space of time is a real blow for the Tyne, the local economy and of course ship spotters!
Alan
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ShieldsLad wrote:
Hi Steve,Sounds fair enough. I was speaking to the old man on Queen the other day in dry dock and he knew nothing about this announcement. Such a shame. From 4 ferries to 2 in a short space of time is a real blow for the Tyne, the local economy and of course ship spotters!Alan
Hi Alan
To be honest I feel sorry for those who will lose their jobs - it must have a huge knock on effect with not only those on the Ship but all of those in support roles and the greater Tyneside economy.
I would imagine the Port of Tyne are having to look at their coffers, after all they are I believe paid a fee per passenger carried in and out of the Tyne. Just as well they weren't using the services of the Tyne Pilots on a daily basis or that would have also had a major effect :-o
Regards
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pheeew! I'm on, booked yesterday :-D. So I'm on the Queen of Scandinavia in August, I only wish I had travelled with her alot more than I have done. :-(
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Damn, this is very, very sad news. I hope that they will chartering of sell the Princess. The Queen is a very better ship. Technical better, better in shape and more and more luxe... #OOPS#.
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larsbr wrote:
Damn, this is very, very sad news. I hope that they will chartering of sell the Princess. The Queen is a very better ship. Technical better, better in shape and more and more luxe... #OOPS#.
Hi Lars
We have a saying here in the UK - 'It's the size that counts'. QOS is the smallest of the three DFDS Ferries that are currently plying their trade from the Port of Tyne.
Regards
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Hi Steve,
All technical facts of the Queen are bigger, and she is heavier. There are 170 passengers more than the Princess. But the biggest fault is the extreme cargo difference. 360 cars against 600 cars... I have a solution, rebuilt the cardeck of the Queen.. :-D
Lars
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larsbr wrote:
Hi Steve,
All technical facts of the Queen are bigger, and she is heavier. There are 170 passengers more than the Princess. But the biggest fault is the extreme cargo difference. 360 cars against 600 cars... I have a solution, rebuilt the cardeck of the Queen..
Lars
Hi Lars
What brings the money into DFDS - not the passengers so muchg as to the cargoe (vehicles/freight) - its all to do with profits as is the way of the World :-o
Regards
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Just come back after a fantastic trip on the Queen of Scandinavia. Seeing the sunset whilst in Bergen, - AMAZING!!
We have lost some fantasytic journeys from the Tyne over the years - Esbjerg, Hamburg - now to Norway. - A HEAVY SIGH!!!!!!!
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glencairn wrote:
Just come back after a fantastic trip on the Queen of Scandinavia. Seeing the sunset whilst in Bergen, - AMAZING!!We have lost some fantasytic journeys from the Tyne over the years - Esbjerg, Hamburg - now to Norway. - A HEAVY SIGH!!!!!!!
Hi David
Good to read that you had a good trip - I'm hoping to fit in a trip on the QOS before the route closes.
Of course we now see more Cruise Ships on the Tyne - so there is some compensation :-?
Regards
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i would fully agree with larsbr about the up-sides of the QoS -
the PoN is - what we could see - in a very sad state - she looks much more dated and used than the QOS - perhaps because of her overseas-career...
the QoS had regular overhauls in the days when dfds did much care of their ships (the prince and princess and the dana anglia were allways in a perfect state under dfds seaways - equipped with the latest safety systems - i remember the modern led - emergency route borders on the older ships - all those features are missing on the KoS and PoN) - so i would think the QoS is a better deal on the long term----
but I think DFDS is doing short term decisions and will decide in favour of the PoN cause of her age 1986 vs 1981 and her freight capacity--- 600 against 360 - and i don't think dfds will invest in a multimillion euro refit for a nearly 28 year old ship....
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If any of you people are going on her during the summber before she leaves. Don't go on her final trip around Norway, the prices are nearly double what they are for any normal voyage! What I think DFDS should do instead of upping the prices on her final full voyage they should for 2 days berth the Princess of Norway here in Newcastle and allow the Queen to go on one last voyage to IJmuiden before she leaves. If they did that, they would make a killing profit because many people from here in Newcastle and in Amsterdam (especially Lars!) :lol: , want to have one final voyage on her and since the Amsterdam route is more popular, to me it sounds a good idea.
I'm always called tight with money, but that is something which I wouldn't mind paying for. :-)
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Hi Kevin
Perhaps with that 'commercial ethos' is it any wonder that DFDS appears to be losing so much money on its routes - is it really THAT special to be on the last KOS crossing to Scandinavia, personally I don't think it is and especially NOT for double the normal tariff.
As to your idea on placing the QOS back onto the Ijmuiden route for the last time - well that has already happened when she was moved onto the Bergen etc route, that was her final time :lol:
Regards
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Hi All
Perhaps thee is some hope that the rout being vacated by DFDS will be filled by another operator - thsi article from the Northern Echo @ http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.2369194.0.talks_held_to_save_scrapped_ferry_route.php
"Talks held to save scrapped ferry route
TALKS have been held between council officials on Tyneside and in Norway over the decision by DFDS Seaways to scrap its ferry service between Newcastle and Bergen.
It is due to close on September 1 with the expected loss of 340 jobs in Britain, Norway and Denmark.
DFDS Seaways have said that the rising cost of fuel has played a part in its decision to end the Newcastle to Bergen, Stavanger and Haugesund route.
The company's Newcastle to Amsterdam route is unaffected.
Councillors on both sides of the North Sea fear the loss of the service will have major implications for their respective economies.
Tourism officers from Gateshead and Newcastle have met with their counterparts in Bergen to discuss possible incentives to lure a potential new operator to take over the route.
Officials from the Port of Tyne also attended the meeting, together with Andrew Dixon, chief executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative(NGI).
Possible options may include the councils and NGI offering financial incentives. Norweigian officals are also examing what financial help they can offer.
Mr Dixon said: "Our culture, tourism and business connections with Norway are extremely improtant to both our economies and we will do everything possible to secure another operator by working collaboratively with our partners."
The group now intends to approach other ferry operators to see if they would be willing to provide a replacement service.
The Danish company currently employs 270 British and Danish workers aboard the MS Queen of Scandanavia. A further 70 other land-based jobs spread across the UK, Norway and Denmark will also be affected.
11:00am Saturday 28th June 2008
By Andrew Douglas"
Regards
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One possibility I think would be Stena line, but not sure if DFDS would want to share the terminal with a competitor.
It's not the calmest of waters so whoever it is needs a similar sized ship.
Mike
:-)
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If DFDS do not want the route they should be prepared to share with another company. After all it's not their port.
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glencairn wrote:
If DFDS do not want the route they should be prepared to share with another company. After all it's not their port.
Hi David
No one owns the route - it's unlike aircraft routes. However the deciding factor is of course the berthing agreements that are the deciding factor. In the case of the Port of Tyne, the International Ferry Terminal is contracted to DFDS and thus any sharing of that facility would have to be amicable. Much in the same way as there was an agreement with Fjord Line until they withdrew from the very same route.
Regards
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I much rather prefer the look of the QOS against the other two , what I realy like about the Queen , looking at her frm the outside is her head on view , with that big window in the middle .The part of her I like the most is at the stern.I think the shape at the waterline either side of the ramp reminds of them huge megayatchs you get in places like Moonte Carlo and the Carribean.
As for the route ,I think someone will befilling in the void ,may be in a freight only capacity at first , but then they will bring in a Ro-Ro of simialiar style to what we see sailing out of the Tyne.Can anyone remember the England and the Winston Churchill, now they were nice looking ships altough a bit small.
just my two penoth worth.
regards
Brian
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The crossing is great, I hope they keep the ship as well :-(
rathey wrote:
Apologies if posted elsewhere.
Very sad news. Lots of jobs to go. Don't know if somebody else might take over the route but in the current economic climate that must be a doubt.
Richard.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/7421579.stm
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Hi Brian I and my family travelled on Winston Churchill - a ship we loved and adored. We saw he in Gdansk, in 1998, looking proud as though she wanted to go to sea again. Unfortunately that was not the case.
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Hi All
Well the Queen of Scandinavia entered the Port of Tyne (North East England) yesterday (29th August 2008) at 14.22 for what will more than likely be the final time. No pomp and ceremony and not even a sounding of the Ships horn!
She leaves this evening for Stavanger and a less than clear future.
Such a shame that the tradition of having a sea link with Norway after 144 years has now been severed but perhaps another Shipping Company will take the route on but certainly there are no signs of that at the moment.
Regards
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The problem with that service is that: the ship is too big and past its sell-by date; marketing of the service is aimed at Norwegians and there are just not enough of them in the whole country; the fares are high and the on-board prices are extortionate; a pint of beer is slightly cheaper than ashore in Norway but way above posh pub prices in the UK. It would certainly deter many UK tourists.
Last year, on a trip to bring a UK car back for annual testing, (fly out; ferry to Newcastle; ferry to Stavanger and then fly home) I paid
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BobS wrote:
The problem with that service is that: the ship is too big and past its sell-by date; marketing of the service is aimed at Norwegians and there are just not enough of them in the whole country; the fares are high and the on-board prices are extortionate; a pint of beer is slightly cheaper than ashore in Norway but way above posh pub prices in the UK. It would certainly deter many UK tourists
Snipped>
Sad to see the Tyne-Norway service go but don't despair: I think it will be back
Hi Bob
I was on the King of Scandinavia to Ijmuiden earlier this year and thought the beer prices were no more than i would pay in Newcastle City Centre. Now the meals are a different kettle of fish - expensive for what you get in my opinion.
DFDS seem to have a strange rationale when it comes to commerce - one example is that whilst this route is being withdrawn due to lack of passengers (perhaps the price?) they chose to double the normal fare for the last trip :-o
Yes I too hope that someone takes the route on, after all the infrastructure is all in place - a regular Ro/Ro route would make a nice change from a photographic perspective.
Regards
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I was told today she is going to be laid up in denmark. I won't be around to take pictures of her leaving for the last time. As I lost my mum to cancer almost exactly the same time she arrived on the tyne for the last time. So really I'm losing 2 Queens of Scandinavia as it was mums favorite destination. Someone get a good picture please.
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PAULK wrote:
I was told today she is going to be laid up in denmark. I won't be around to take pictures of her leaving for the last time. As I lost my mum to cancer almost exactly the same time she arrived on the tyne for the last time. So really I'm losing 2 Queens of Scandinavia as it was mums favorite destination. Someone get a good picture please.
Hi Paul
Sorry for your loss and yes, I'm sure there will be many a photograph of the QOS last 'Piers Out", mine included. she is still showing up as a EST for 18.30. I will even break off watching the Toon Army playing Arsenal to see the QOS off :-)
Regards
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Hi All
I watched the rather sad sight of the Queen of Scandinavia sail out of the Port of Tyne for the final time last night, destined for lay by in Stavanger with her crew being also laid off. The end of a close link with the QOS which has provided a route to Norway and before that to Ijmuiden.
I was a little surprised to see that she didn't swing off her berth as she would usually do as there was no wind to speak of as she went West of the Tyne to use the Swinging Circle.
She certainly made the most of her departure from a noise perspective, sounding her hooter numerous times, and what a hooter she has!. Top marks to the Tyne Pilot Cutter, Collingwood for coming out of dock to salute the QOS as she passed. I had to laugh when I heard the Collingwood's hooter in comparison to the QOS's.
A little surprised that the Tyne's Tugs did not turn up to pay their respects, but possibly that was a commercial thing.
So she has gone, probably never to return to the Tyne and with a doubtful future but thanks to her for providing us Tyneside Spotters with a magnificent sight as she used to steam in and out of the river :-)
Regards
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Hi Steve
Watching the Toon? You did the right thing being at the Tyne.
Seriously - It was sad to see QoS for the last time. Having made the journey to Bergen a number of times, even my wife was upset! watching her leave.
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Steve wrote:
I was a little surprised to see that she didn't swing off her berth as she would usually do as there was no wind to speak of as she went West of the Tyne to use the Swinging Circle.
Hi Steve
Not sure where you was standing but the wind was so strong Boudicca decided at the very last minute to take two tugs to pull her off the berth due to 'strong South easterly wind'.
Thats why she was delayed from her scheduled 17.00 departure before the QOS and normaly taking one tug aft.
QOS also give a three long blast on departure as she passed her berth, unfortunatly they were taking down flag bunting as she passed us at Royal Quays so you may not have seen any if you were standing in your normal 'Fish Quay' spot.
Interesting to hear the Captain of Boudicca address the passengers as they left when he said he expected rough weather with winds 4/6,(glad I was not paying for the nights crossing!)
Regards
Mike
:-)
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I saw the QOS leave from the beacon pub on the South side of the river,it did not look as if many people were on her .Sad to see her go for the last time .
Has anyone noticed that tha Amsterdam ferry is now leaving at 17.00.
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Hi Mike
Outside of the Harbour Masters Office - I couldn't even detect a bit of breeze, so it must be a sheltered spot :lol:
Really sad to see her go, more so from the perspective of a now out of work crew!
Regards
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cawky wrote:
I saw the QOS leave from the beacon pub on the South side of the river,it did not look as if many people were on her .Sad to see her go for the last time .
Has anyone noticed that tha Amsterdam ferry is now leaving at 17.00.
Hi Brian
I got the impression that most of the spectators on her decks were actually crew members - not sure she had any fare paying guests onboard for the crossing to Stavanger ?
Regards
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Hello there, I thought Just in case you were interested - Queen travelled on to Stavanger, Haugasund, Bergen with 900+ passengers, she will after discharging in Bergen sail to Kos
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Thanks for the information Nigel1701, good info,
did you work on the Queen?
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Hi Nigel
Additional information much appreciated:
1. 900 eh - well not a lot of them were out on the deck for the departure!
2. Yes I noticed she came very close into ther berth and at one stage I thought she had changed her mind and wanted to stay!
Regards
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I was on the final inbound sailing from Bergen into Tyne which docked at 15:00 last Friday...and my poor little car was crammed in like a sardine down on the car deck. 492 GBP for the privilege of getting just me and my little Ford Ka back from Norway. I agree that it is very sad that this route has come to an end after nigh on 150 years - Norway is an amazing country to visit and not being able to hop over from the north of England with the car is a real blow. I cut short my contract in Norway (which was until mid September) to enable me to bring my car back on QofS at the end of August, something I was very sad to do but the alternatives are too long winded to contemplate for me. But nearly 500 GBP for 1 person + car with an inside cabin which was not properly clean (not surprising, where's the motivation to care when you are losing your job anyway?) on a dated ship with crazy vehicle loading - I am angry and sad, it didn't exactly go out in style...
RIP Norway-Tyne...I hope you rise again someday with a finer onboard experience. :-(
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Just yesterday I booked a one-way ferry trip from Gothenburg, Sweden to Tilbury for a van (non commercial) and two passengers. The trip is scheduled to take 38 hours, with two nights on-board and all meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the fare, which was
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I have, since booking to come back on the final Bergen - Tyne service, become aware of one alternative - but unfortunately it still involves DFDS!!! That is to take the freight service from Kristiansand to Immingham, which can accommodate some public passengers and their vehicles and has cabins and prices do include meals and drinks (though how many people it can hold is another question). See here:
http://www.dfdstorline.com/DfdsTorLine/EN/Presentation/Passengers/index.htm
and here:
http://www.dfdstorline.com/DfdsTorLine/EN/Schedules/NorthSea/NorBridge/NorwayUK.htm
I don't know about fares but I imagine it would cost considerably less than the rip off rate I paid for Bergen - Newcastle?
Had I known about it earlier (I admit my shipping knowledge is limited) maybe I would have taken that option instead - I live in West Yorkshire so still not too bad a journey on this side compared to Harwich or Tilbury, although on the Norwegian side it would've meant a longer drive to get from Nordfjord to Kristiansand rather than Bergen.
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I have just seen a few pictures of her in Korsor. She still looks amaizing and so do the suroundings. But they have done absolutely done nothing to her! I hope that means she may come back one day! :-D
http://www.ferry-site.dk/ferry.php?id=7911533&lang=en%5B/url%5D (http://www.ferry-site.dk/ferry.php?id=7911533&lang=en%5B/url%5D)
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Hi Kevin,
I saw them also last week, strange ther'se no 'shipspotter' around ;)
I'm curious if there are interested buyers..
Lars
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I just saw a note on Wikipedia that Queen of Scandinavia is to be rebuilt as a temporary workers accomodation at the Forsmark nuclear power plant. Is anybody able to confirm this?
Regards,
Kai
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To my knowledge she is not being rebuilt or anything, but yes is being used for accomodation. I believe the charter is for around 5 years, by the time it is over she will be over 30 years old.
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I believe the charter is for around 5 years, by the time it is over she will be over 30 years old.
in need of some serious renovation and probably ready for Alang.
Is the ship still in Korsor then? Whereto and when is she going to be moved?
Regards,
Kai
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I think it's a shame. A good strong ship as the Queen isn't ment to be a hotel. But a liner for the Northen seas. But that's what i think....
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QoS was moved to Oskarshamn in Sweden on February 13th. I found a picture of her moored there:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/showallphotos.aspx?mmsi=219013000#top_photo
Still a goodlooking ship.
Regards,
Kai