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Tag: Irish Ferries | Ferry Shipping News

Mar 08
3

Irish Ferries Reports Solid 2024 Performance

By | 2025 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

 Irish Continental Group has reported a good year in 2024, with growth across its key financial and operational metrics. The company achieved revenue of €603.8 million, marking a 5.6% increase from 2023, while EBITDA rose 0.7% to €133.5 million. Operating profit also saw a modest rise of 1.0% to €69.1 million.

Growth in Key Segment Irish Ferries

The Ferries Division demonstrated strong performance, with car carryings increasing by 9.5% to 707,300 and passenger numbers rising by 10.1% to over 3 million. RoRo freight units also grew by 6.0% to 767,200. A significant driver behind this success was the strategic expansion of Irish Ferries’ Dover-Calais operations, with the introduction of the newly acquired OSCAR WILDE (formerly SPIRIT OF BRITAIN), which entered service in June 2024.

“Our decision to expand onto the Dover-Calais route has proven to be a worthwhile investment, contributing to our strong performance despite broader market challenges” said Andrew Sheen, Managing Director of Irish Ferries.

Strategic Expansion and Market Positioning

Irish Ferries has long held ambitions to establish a strong presence on the Dover-Calais route, which represents a crucial freight corridor between the UK and France. The Channel market remains highly competitive, with Eurotunnel, DFDS, and P&O Ferries all vying for market share.

“Freight-wise, the Channel is a strong market for traffic from Britain, with an overall market of 4 million freight units split between ferries and the tunnel. We have always aimed to be present in strong markets,” said Andrew Sheen. “On short-sea routes: we can operate five return sailings on Dover–Calais, whereas a ship on the Ireland–France route can only manage one sailing per day. Hauliers are unlikely to pay the premium required to achieve the same return on an asset for a direct long route compared to a short-sea route. Strategically, short-sea routes have always been where we see the value.”

Irish Ferries has strengthened its position through a space charter agreement with P&O Ferries, enabling more efficient vessel utilisation and reducing haulier wait times.

This partnership, structured on a “turn up and go” basis, allows for seamless freight transportation between both operators’ vessels, offering hauliers increased flexibility. “It’s as close to a ‘floating bridge’ as you can get,” Sheen explained. “It enhances efficiency and levels the playing field in competition with the tunnel.”

While Brexit has not led to significant growth in the Ireland-UK freight market, there has been noticeable expansion on the Ireland-France and Britain-France routes. Irish Ferries’ network now provides a comprehensive landbridge solution for hauliers moving between Ireland and continental Europe, offering time savings compared to direct sailings from Ireland to France.

 Operational Efficiency and Future Plans

The efficiency-driven approach of Irish Ferries is evident not only in its Dover-Calais operations but across its entire network. The company is actively exploring how its partnership with P&O Ferries can be extended to passenger traffic, with the aim of implementing a shared capacity arrangement ahead of the peak summer season.

Despite industry challenges, including fluctuating fuel costs and regulatory changes under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), Irish Ferries remains financially resilient. With a strong balance sheet and strategic investments, the company is well-positioned for the future.

Click image for more information

Aug 31
2

Irish Ferries profit saw an impressive growth of 80% in H1

By | 2024 Newsletter week 35 | No Comments

Here are the financial highlights from the Irish Continental Group’s H1 Financial Report for the half-year ended 30 June 2024: 

  • Revenue Growth: The Group’s revenue increased by 8.1% to €285.5 million, up from €264.0 million in the same period in 2023. 
  • EBITDA Stability: EBITDA slightly increased by 1.4% to €49.7 million, compared to €49.0 million in HY 2023, indicating stable operational efficiency. 
  • Operating Profit Improvement: Operating profit rose by 7.4% to €17.4 million from €16.2 million in HY 2023. 
  • Profit Before Tax: The Group reported a profit before tax of €14.6 million, an increase of 4.3% from €14.0 million in HY 2023. 
  • Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share grew by 10.7% to 8.30 cents from 7.50 cents in HY 2023, reflecting improved profitability per share. 
  • Interim Dividend: An interim dividend of 5.11 cents per share was declared, a 5.0% increase from the 4.87 cents per share in HY 2023. 
  • Net Debt: Net debt increased by 28.7% to €211.7 million, primarily due to the acquisition of the OSCAR WILDE ferry on a charter with a purchase obligation. 
  • Volume Growth: The Ferries Division saw significant growth in volumes, with car carryings up by 21.0% and RoRo freight units increasing by 10.5%. 
  • Container and Terminal Division: This division experienced an 8.7% increase in containers shipped and port lifts, though profitability was down due to lower rates and higher costs. 
  • Strategic Developments: The Group strengthened its position on the Dover-Calais route through a space charter agreement with P&O Ferries and the acquisition of the Oscar Wilde ferry. 
  • Cost Management: Operating costs increased by 7.8% to €188.1 million, with notable increases in fuel costs and expenses related to the EU Emission Trading System. 
  • Strong Liquidity Position: Despite the increase in net debt, the Group maintained a strong liquidity position with cash balances of €51.2 million.

Strong performance of Irish Ferries: 

  • Revenue Growth: The Ferry Division’s revenue increased by 9.9% to €197.6 million, up from €179.8 million in HY 2023. 
  • Operating Profit Surge: Operating profit nearly doubled, rising by 79.2% to €9.5 million from €5.3 million in the same period last year. 
  • Passenger Revenue Increase: Passenger revenues surged by 16.8%, driven by a 21.9% increase in passenger carryings, totaling over 1.33 million passengers. 
  • Car Volume Growth: Car volumes rose by 21.0% to 277,200 units, reflecting strong demand for travel. 
  • Freight Revenue and Volume Expansion: RoRo freight volumes grew by 10.5%, contributing to a 13.3% increase in freight revenues. 
  • Strategic Fleet Expansion: The introduction of the Oscar Wilde ferry on the Dover-Calais route enhanced capacity and service, contributing to overall growth. 
  • Market Share and Recovery: The division’s performance underscores its ability to capture market share in a recovering travel market post-pandemic. 
  • Strong Outlook: These results position Irish Ferries for continued growth and success in the second half of the year. 

Click on cover to view report

Mar 15
1

Irish Ferries: record levels of activity and revenue in 2023

By | 2024 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

Irish Continental Group (ICG) reported its financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Highlights:

  • Revenue decreased a little (-2.2%) to €572.0 million.
  • EBITDA increase of €5.4 million to €132.6 million principally due to a strong performance in the Ferries Division.
  • Within the Ferries Division, the recovery in passenger markets, the strong position in freight markets and the introduction of duty-free have lifted the Ferries Division to record levels of activity and revenue.
  • Cars +12.6%
  • Passengers +20.2%
  • RoRo freight units +3.9%
  • In May 2023, the Group chartered the Oscar Wilde cruise ferry (ex Tallink Star) for an initial 20 month period with further extension and purchase options. The vessel initially entered service on the Rosslare – Pembroke route, replacing the Blue Star 1. The Group also chartered the Norbay vessel on a short-term basis, replacing the Epsilon which was returned to its owners at the end of its charter.
  • Performance in the Container & Terminal Division has been more challenging.
  • 2023 was another strong year of cash generation for the Group, further strengthening its balance sheet over the period. Cash generated from operations of €136.7 million (2022: €132.0 million) was used to fund strategic capital expenditure of €21.8 million and returns to shareholders of €45.8 million via a combination of dividends and share buybacks. Net debt at year end fell by €27.4 million to €143.7 million (2022: €171.1 million).

Financial Highlights
Irish Continental Group

Financial Highlights
Irish Ferries

Results Presentation
(click on picture)

Preliminary Statement of Results
(click on picture)

Dec 01
0

Irish Ferries boosts revenues as passenger numbers soar

By | 2023 Newsletter week 48 | No Comments

The Ferries Division within the Irish Continental Group has demonstrated exceptional performance. Revenues surged by 4.4% in the initial 10 months of the year. Notably, in the period leading up to November 18th, there was a remarkable 12.4% increase in car shipments and a 3.3% rise in Ro-Ro freight.

However, container freight faced challenges attributed to a deceleration in deep-sea volumes. Despite this setback, the overall performance of the Ferries Division underscores its resilience and success in a dynamic market.

 

Volumes (Year to date, 18 November 2023) 2023 2022 Change vs 2022
Cars 588,700 524,700 +12.2%
RoRo Freight 639,900 616,100 +3.9%
Container Freight (teu) 248,500 291,100 -14.6%
Terminal Lifts 277,300 286,100 -3.1%
Read the trading statement
Aug 11
0

Voyager IP delivers always-on Xiplink solution to Irish Ferries

By | 2022 Newsletter week 32 | No Comments

Following a successful trial,  the Xiplink™ solution is now being used on two Irish Ferries vessels, W.B. YEATS and ULYSSES.

From the user perspective, the biggest benefit of the new Xiplink™ service is the substantially improved quality of experience enjoyed when accessing the internet.

From the perspective of Irish Ferries, it also offers QoS data management, thus affording the most important connections the highest priority throughout.

Brian Short, Information Security Manager at Irish Continental Group, said “Managing the bandwidth demands of multiple data and voice services has been a challenge. The traffic management and bandwidth optimisation features offered by Xiplink have been instrumental in enhancing the onboard experience for our customers, while also protecting revenue-generating services.  Our partnerships with Voyager IP and Telenor have been vital to the success of this project, and we look forward to working with them to further develop our use of Xiplink.”

Source: press release
Jun 02
0

Ropax EPSILON delivered to EuroAfrica by Caronte & Tourist

By | 2022 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments

Ropax EPSILON, owned by Caronte & Tourist, but operated since several years in a bareboat charter by Irish Ferries, has been handed over this week to the new owner.

The Messina-based company, with the support of Ferrando & Massone acting as broker, sold the vessel to EuroAfrica of Poland for a price exceeding EUR 50 million.

At least until the end of the current year the EPSILON will remain in bare boat charter to Irish Ferries serving the maritime link between Ireland and the UK.

This ropax unit was built by Cantieri Visentini shipyard in 2011, can transport roughly 2,900 lane metres of roro and accommodate some 500 passengers.

Nov 11
4

Irish Ferries doubles frequency on Calais-Dover A departure every 2,5 hours

By | 2021 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

DFDS sold CALAIS SEAWAYS to Irish Continental Group PLC.

Built as PRINS FILIP in 1992, this is a ferry that has been working for most Channel operators on routes as Ostend-Dover, Ostend-Ramsgate, Le Havre-Portsmouth and Calais-Dover.

She will now serve the Dover – Calais route again, operated by Irish Ferries as ISLE OF INNISFREE.

Andrew Sheen, Irish Ferries Managing Director, said: “We are delighted be able to add a second ship to our Dover-Calais route, with the ship doubling our frequency with a departure every 2 ½ hours rather than the current 5 hours between sailings.

Passenger capacity: 1,140 – freight: 83 units

Mar 25
1

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

By | 2021 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

BLUE STAR 1 Soon Ready For Irish Sea

There were rumours that ropax ferry BLUE STAR 1 would soon exchange Greek for Irish Sea  waters, on charter to Irish Ferries. It has not been confirmed yet, but we believe these pictures say enough.

Thank you Christos Chatzaras for the great drone shots.

Dec 03
1

Rosslare Europort Welcomes DFDS New Route to Dunkirk

By | 2020 Newsletter week 49 | No Comments

As from 2 January 2021, DFDS join existing shipping operators Stena Line, Irish Ferries and Brittany Ferries at Rosslare Europort, with a new six-times weekly service direct to Dunkirk (see the extra news of last week 48)

Rosslare Europort has recently secured planning permission for a major transformation of Rosslare Europort, as part of its €30m Port Masterplan.

Further substantial investment will also take place both at the port and the surrounding area.

Click here to read more details (Rosslare Europort press release)