CHARTERS Two well-known Baltic super-ferries from the Tallink fleet are spending the remainder of the year on charter for seven months each as accommodation ships for refugees in Holland. Only Tallink technical crew have been aboard since Silja Europa (1993/ 59,912gt) arrived on 20 August. She was joined a month later by Galaxy (2006/48,915gt). RP
DISRUPTION Ferry arrivals in the Isle of Man were affected at the beginning of August when one of the Douglas Harbour linkspans needed work to resolve mechanical problems. Ben-My- Chree’s sailings from Heysham and high-speed crossings by Manannan using the port’s second ferry ramp at the King Edward VIII Pier were affected. RP
AVOIDING SANCTIONS P&O Ferries will not face criminal proceedings over the sacking of crew members earlier in the year. The Insolvency Service ruled in August that there was no realistic chance of conviction and that no criminal proceedings will be started. However, a civil investigation is still ongoing. RP
KOREA-JAPAN CRUISE FERRY
• South Korea’s PanStar Ferry has ordered a 22,000gt cruise ferry from Dae Sun Shipbuilding and Engineering for its service between Busan, South Korea and Osaka, Japan. To be delivered before the end of 2024, the new 353-passenger vessel will be equipped with luxury facilities, such as jacuzzis, saunas, an outdoor swimming pool, jogging track and balconies in all cabins, and will also be able to carry 250 TEUs. JS