Repeat business is key for A&P Falmouth

M/V Autosky, which is capable of carrying 2,080 cars and commercial vehicles, had been in dock since early August for a range of work including repairs, an overhaul of the bow thruster, removal of two Becker rudders, overhaul of trailing flaps and two stabilizer trailing flaps, and a complete change of livery with new ship side logos.

The long term relationship between the dockyard and United European Car Carriers (UECC) highlighted the importance of repeat business for A&P Falmouth. In the past 15 years UECC has docked at least one vessel per year in Falmouth.

With a fleet of 21 owned and managed vessels, UECC is the leading provider of short sea ro-ro transportation in Europe, and A&P is well placed to provide maintenance and repair services for the fleet.

In October 2011 the Autosky’s sister vessel, the 126m Autopremier, docked in Falmouth for maintenance and repair work after being laid up in the River Fal for almost two years.

Prior to being laid up, UECC offered its dry stores to the Mission to Seafarers. It coincided with another ship, the cargo vessel Yeya-1, being inspected by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and found to only have macaroni and flour onboard. The crew had not heard from the ship’s owners for two months or been paid during that time.

Liaison between UECC, A&P and the Mission to Seafarers soon put the dry stores to good use and the crew of the Yeya-1 was delighted when a boat full of food arrived only a few hours after a call for help had been received.