Positive response signals progress for East Port Great Yarmouth
Major European operators Superfast Ferries has emerged as front runners for the operation of a brand new passenger and freight service from the proposed new East Port Great Yarmouth.
EastPort invited outline proposals for submission by the end of April. From discussions with four serious potential operators, Athens based Superfast has the most promising proposal, closely meeting EastPorts requirements in terms of operation and timing for the project.
The next stage of the process will comprise a detailed evaluation of the proposal and further negotiations, which are expected to be concluded over the summer period.
Superfast Ferries SA are a part of the major Athens-based Attica Enterprises Group and operate a fleet of ten ultra-modern ferries on international routes in the Adriatic Sea and Northern Europe.
In 2001 Superfast began operations in the Baltic Sea, and later this month will launch a new direct daily service between Rosyth in Scotland and the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, using ships that can accommodate over 600 passengers, 100 cars and 110 large trucks, with a speed of up to 30 knots.
Superfast are proposing a freight and passenger service from Great Yarmouth across the North Sea, with IJmuiden, close to Amsterdam, as the probable destination, although other options are not ruled out at this stage.
The service frequency would be set at either three or four sailings per day, a figure that is consistent with East Port Great Yarmouths financial projections and business plan, which was made available for each bidder at the proposal stage.
Richard Jewson, chairman of EastPort, said:"We look forward to working closely with Superfast to develop these outline proposals. At this stage, we are most encouraged especially as Superfast have placed a greater emphasis on passenger services than we had predicted. This could deliver even greater benefits to Great Yarmouth and the region in general."
Yannis Criticos, director at Superfast added: "A service between Great Yarmouth and the Netherlands is an attractive proposition which could fit in well with our planned expansion into the North Sea market. The market is growing and we see strong demand for a fast route between the UK and the Continent."
Press Enquiries:
Peter Treglown, Inter Regional Public Relations,
Tel: 01603 627294, Fax: 01603 633638, Mobile: 07768 176622, e-mail: pt@interregional.co.uk
Yannis Criticos, Project Director North Sea, Superfast Ferries S.A.
Tel :+30 10 891 9500,Email: criticos@superfast.com
Notes to editors
Richard Jewson, chairman of EastPort, will be available for interview from 07.00 to 09.00 on Thursday morning, 9th May, by arrangement with Peter Treglown of Inter Regional.
East Port Great Yarmouth Ltd has the backing of Great Yarmouth Port Authority, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norfolk County Council. It is a signatory to the European Economic Investment Grouping (EEIG) agreement linking the ports and local authorities at IJmuiden and Great Yarmouth.
EastPort are proposing to develop a £32m harbour which will:
- have one equipped ro-ro terminal with space for a second terminal to be added later
- have general purpose quays to accommodate two ships up to 160m in length
- space for a fifth quay to be added
- sufficient draught to accommodate ships up to 8m draught
- 11 hectares of reclaimed back-up land
- scope to extend within Parliamentary limit
- stopping and turning space for vessels of 180 - 200m length
- an option for future rail ferry connections
The main strategic road links to Great Yarmouth have received major investment and more is planned in the period to 2010, including:
- complete dualling of the A11 to Norwich in the period to 2010
- A47 link to Great Yarmouth is the subject of a current study and funding is committed to implement the outcomes of this study by 2010 all major towns and villages on A17/A47 trunk road from the A1 are now by-passed.
- An EU and local authority funded study is assessing the feasibility of re-establishing the rail link from the port to Great Yarmouth Vauxhall station.