Irish Ferries has purchased the Spirit of Britain from P&O Ferries to enhance their Channel service.
- The Spirit of Britain, to be renamed and rebranded, will begin service on the Dover-Calais route.
- This acquisition includes a €89.4 million deal, involving a two-year charter and a purchase obligation.
- The ship will replace the Isle of Innisfree, which will be reassigned to another route.
- Irish Ferries aims to increase capacity and service quality on key connections between Britain, France, and Ireland.
Irish Ferries has procured the Spirit of Britain from P&O Ferries, a move aimed at bolstering its services across the Channel. This strategic acquisition signifies a notable enhancement in the capacity and service quality on the vital Dover-Calais route.
The Spirit of Britain, soon to undergo renaming and rebranding, is set to integrate into the Dover-Calais operations in the upcoming month. The vessel will be succeeding the Isle of Innisfree in this route, as the latter transitions to support the Rosslare-Pembroke link.
The financial details of this acquisition feature a total expenditure of €89.4 million. This amount consists of a two-year bareboat charter costing €20,000 each day, coupled with a binding purchase commitment valued at €74.8 million, due at the charter’s completion.
Spirit of Britain has been operational since 2011, boasting the ability to transport up to 2,000 passengers and accommodate 1,059 cars or 180 freight vehicles. In contrast, the Isle of Innisfree offers a capacity for 1,140 passengers, alongside accommodation for 83 freight vehicles or 600 cars.
Andrew Sheen, the managing director at Irish Ferries, elaborated on the strategic intent behind these vessel allocations, emphasising the ongoing commitment to maintaining strong maritime links between Britain and France as well as Ireland. This adjustment is poised to enhance the freight and passenger experience on both aforementioned routes.
The acquisition underscores Irish Ferries’ dedication to enhancing its cross-Channel and Ireland connections.
