New Pompey-Le Havre Service
01 Oct 2005
Paris based shipping company LD Lines started operations between Portsmouth UK and Le Havre in France earlier this month. The 1992 built Norman Spirit , with a capacity for 120 trucks and 1,850 passengers, will operate the new service daily. Traffic forecast is for 600,000 passengers and 50,000 trucks per year.
The six week conversion was carried out at Con-Mar Ingenieurtechnik, the former Luhring Werft. The ship, which already had gear including a bow oil skimming flap and powerful high vacuum suction, was shortened by 13.2m to 66.3m and the loading capacity was reduced by 570m 2. An outer hull cooling system was installed, the forecastle was raised, pipes were installed, the hydraulic system changed and a new auxiliary diesel engine plant and new accommodation installed. Officials said the conversion had brought Luneplate up to the standard of Germany's other coastal pollution combat vessels like Vilm and Strelasund .The ship is now back at main contractors Heise Schiffsreparatur & Industrieservice, which won an EU wide tender late last year to handle the transformation of the former sea/river vessel into an ocean-going oil combat ship for Cuxhaven's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (CCME).
Portsmouth City Council's Mike Hancock said that a massive effort had secured the route, which it is anticipated will be good for local jobs and the economy.
MJ Information No: 21111
