SERVICE STOPPED P&O Ferries closed their freight service from Middlesbrough Teesport to Rotterdam Europoort when the chartered Estraden (1999/18,205gt) made a final crossing from the Netherlands on 21 January before moving to Dutch operator Transfennica. P&O continue to serve Zeebrugge with two return sailings week.
CONNEMARA The 27,414gt former Brittany Ferries ro-pax vessel, built in Italy by Visentini in 2007, received a fire float welcome to Wellington on 29 January after she completed a long delivery voyage to New Zealand via the Panama Canal. Preparations were started for the 800-passenger/2,255-lanemetre ferry to start sailings between Wellington and Picton.