White Rock

St. Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 2LN

Tel 01481 723400

Channel Seaways for all your freight requirements 01481 723400

ISLAND EXPERTISE DELIVERS THE GOODS  

A Channel Seaways freight ship which is a familiar sight in Guernsey waters has completed a record breaking delivery. The MV Isis has made its first trip from Falmouth to the Isles of Scilly and in the process has become the largest vessel ever to dock in the tiny harbour of Tresco.

The MV Isis was commissioned by Tresco Estates to deliver a cargo of sand, concrete blocks and other heavy building materials needed for a property development on the island. 

Managing Director of Channel Seaways, Bruno Kay-Mouat said it was an unusual assignment:

“The quay at Tresco is extremely small – like a slightly larger version of Herm Harbour.  The MV Isis is just under 200 feet long and once she was safely alongside, she completely dwarfed the quay.  The Harbour authorities in Tresco only have one mobile crane, so unloading our cargo was a very lengthy process, taking more than 20 hours.”

Tresco measures 1 mile by 2 and has a year-round community of around 150 people.  It is one of the 5 inhabited Isles of Scilly and lies 29 miles south west of Land’s End. 

Mr. Kay-Mouat said the Channel Seaways team enjoyed their latest challenge:  

 “Everybody involved is delighted that it all went so smoothly.  Our experience of operating in the Channel Islands was undoubtedly an advantage.  We are now planning a second sailing, which will probably take place next month.”

April 2006

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DOUBLE THE DEMAND FOR FREIGHT SERVICE

A local shipping company has doubled the amount of freight it has carried between the UK and the Channel Islands in just three months.  Channel Seaways, which is based at the White Rock in St. Peter Port is now planning to increase sailings to cope with demand.

 The increased business is a direct result of a weekly link between Poole, Guernsey and Jersey which commenced in January.  The company also operates a bi-weekly service to Alderney.   Previously, Channel Seaways had operated in and out of Portland.  Channel Seaways General Manager, Lorraine Jay said tonnages have doubled, so the decision to switch ports has paid off:

 “Poole has first class facilities and is ideally positioned.  We can now offer better accessibility and a more efficient service to our customers.  Thanks to the provision of 1000 square metres of dedicating warehousing, vehicles can literally drive in one end, discharge their cargo in a secure area and drive out of the other.” 

The new service has also been welcomed by the harbour authorities in the UK.  Poole Port Manager Steve McDonald said the commencement of the Channel Islands service was excellent news for the port:

“We are enjoying a good working relationship with Channel Seaways and are confident that Poole’s recent investment in new handling equipment will enhance the operation and offer a sound base for Channel Seaways to grow its business.”

Channel Seaways uses two sister ships on the route. The MV Burhou I and the MV Isis are each 60 metres in length and are used to carry a wide variety of cargo:

“It’s not unusual for each ship to carry well over 100 separate consignments” said Mrs Jay.  “These can range from a pair of shoes, to a 50 foot fuel tank.   We also carry bulk consignments of sand and gravel for the building trade as well as regular shipments of cars, household goods and other consumables.  We pride ourselves in offering a personal service to our customers and taking the stress out of moving freight between the UK and the islands.”

From June, Channel Seaways sailing frequency is being doubled to two sailings a week from Poole into Guernsey and Jersey and a weekly service from Poole to Alderney.  

 March 2006