Containers loaded at the deep water port of Cherbourg on Friday will be delivered on Monday morning in the U.K and Jersey, and on Monday at midday in Guernsey. The average journey time between the Channel Islands and the French port is five hours; between France and Southampton seven hours.
Huelin-Renouf , which owns and operates two 86.57 and 78-metre long ships ships for its daily service between the Islands and Southampton, already carries over 100,000 tonnes of cargo a year. The 20 to 40 foot containers or pallets are loaded and off-loaded by Lo-Lo (Lift-on / Lift-off) using cranes. However Ro-Ro (Roll-On / Roll-off) is used when trucks can board the ships. The Channels Islands import 98% of their needs, with goods currently shipped in ranging from drinks and frozen goods, new vehicles, agricultural and construction materials, plants and trees. Port activities at Cherboug are set to gain from the new service by offering a more attractive option for companies located in Normandy, northern France and even further afield. “I believe that providing a loop between the Islands, France and the U.K. will prove a more sustainable economic model than simply running a link from A to B,” reckons Mr Bale. “And for us there is the possibility of combining services with the shipper running cargo from Cherbourg to the south coast of Ireland,” he added.
Despite the economic downturn, Mr Bale remains upbeat about the future of cargo on the route. “Yes volumes are down and margins have eroded,” he admitted. “But we believe the only way to survive this period is by investing. And since customers are relectant to shift their existing transport arrangements, it‘s easier to gain customers if a route is already up and running.” Huelin plans to ship to Cherbourg for at least 12 months to gain sufficient data, prior to assessing operations, e.g. peak and slack times, seasonal fluctuations in volumes and scheduling. The weekly service may then be stepped up depending on demand from importers and exporters.
Prior to adding France to its port of call, in January 2009 Huelin relocated its U.K. operations from Portsmouth to Southampton, the U.K.’s number one port for handling containers and new cars. In addition to benefitting from the site’s fully equipped, state-of-the-art terminal, the shipper is now capable of transporting temperature-controlled containers and benefits from direct access to the U.K.’s national rail network. “We relocated in order to consolidate our operations, which previously involved a lot of outsourcing,” explained Mr Bale. “There are also more ship movements here – cross-Channel, European and international – than at Portsmouth, plus the railhead is an added bonus. We are keen for our customers to use rail but need to be in a position to offer them this possibility, which is now the case.”
by Lesley Brown
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