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Emeraude Ferries

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Emeraude Ferries
Founded1904
Defunct2006
FateDissolved
Headquarters
Saint-Malo
,
France
Area served
English Channel
Key people
Pierre Legras, MD
Gordon Forrest, CEO
ServicesPassenger transportation
Freight transportation
Parent2003–2006: Sogestran
Websitewww.emeraudeferries.com

Emeraude Ferries was a shipping company which operated vehicle and passenger ferries between the French city of Saint-Malo and the Channel Islands. The company ceased trading in May 2006 following strong competition[1] and difficulties in finding a suitable vessel for the 2006 season.

History

[edit]

Background

[edit]

Emeraude Ferries was founded in 1904 as Bateaux de la Côte d'Émeraude.[2] The initial operations of the company were to transport passengers and cargo between towns along the Côte d'Émeraude, including Saint Malo, Dinard and Cap Fréhel, and along the River Rance.[3]

Early Years

[edit]
Solidor at sea 1981

Ferry services to the Channel Islands were commenced in 1977, initially to Jersey only, but later extended to Guernsey in co-operation with Sealink.[4][5]

Amalgamation

[edit]

In 1987 Emeraude took over the services and boats of Vedettes Blanches et Vertes. Blanches et Vertes was formed from the amalgamation of the two previous operating companies Vedettes Blanches Saint Malo and Vedettes Vertes Granvillaises who had first launched their high speed catamaran services to the Channel Islands in 1976.[3] In 1988 the company rebranded its ferry services as Emeraude Lines[6] and adopted a new green/red livery.[7]

In 1990, Emeraude joined forces with British Channel Island Ferries and Brittany Ferries to launch a 'French Connection' service which would allow a Poole-Jersey, Jersey-St Malo, St Malo-Portsmouth round trip to be booked as a single journey across the three operators.[8]

By 1993, Emeraude had decided to introduce a high speed car ferry on their route between St Malo and the Channel Islands. Emeraude opted to order the first Corsaire 6000 66m monohull ferry from Leroux & Lotz. Very poor performance saw the ship spend thirty four days out of action during its first three and a half months in service and she was returned to her builders in at the end of the season for modifications. Even with these modifications, she still fell short of the required specifications and Emeraude refused to take redelivery of the vessel, which saw resulted in her being the only Corsaire 6000 class vessel constructed.[3][9] It would be another two years before Emeraude would introduce a high speed car ferry to their services, with Solidor 3.[10]

Final Years

[edit]

Competition arrived in March 2003 when Condor Ferries were granted a licence to carry cars from Jersey to St Malo. Previously only Emeraude Lines was permitted to carry cars and passengers to St Malo direct from Jersey.[11] The decision by the States of Jersey had an immediate effect on Emeraude sales and by October of that year the company was in financial difficulties, having reputedly lost £1,000,000 in turnover since Condor operations began on the route.[12][13] On 2 October 2003, the company filed for protection from bankruptcy in France with debts of €4,000,000, and was given 3 months to demonstrate the viability of a return to profitability.[14] The Solidor 5 was impounded, although eventually released over a £300,000 debt to Jersey Harbours and Airport Committee for harbour fees for several days.[13]

In November 2003, the administrator determined that the company needed to be sold to remain in business and named French company; Compagnie Nationale de Navigation as her preferred bidder for Emeraude, over a rival bid from a Jersey-based investor.[15] Ultimately though, Emeraude Lines was purchased by the Sogestran Group in the same month.[16][17] The company was renamed Emeraude Ferries, and after ending uncertainty over the service by securing the purchase of Solidor 5 in January 2004, recommenced normal service.[18]

Emeraude France in Douglas Harbour

In early 2005, Emeraude tendered to operate routes between Carteret, Granville and Diélette to Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. The service had been operated by Connex in 2004, but French government authority who had initiated and funded the service decided to terminate the contract in October of that year after a number of administrative and technical issues. Emeraude and Connex were beaten by Manche Iles Express, owned by Breton company; Société Morbihannaise de Navigation. Incidentally SMN's parent company had been among bidders to take over Emeraude when they were put up for sale in 2003.[19][20]

A price war with Condor saw Emeraude lose millions of Euros over the Summer of 2005,[21] and this was one of the factors in the decision to cease services.[12] Initially the company only cancelled services in December 2005 until the end of February 2006,[22] due to damage to the stabilising foils on Solidor 5, but the firm was unable to find a replacement vessel.[23] Despite encouragement from the States of Jersey, and an announcement at the end of April 2006 that services would resume from the middle of May,[24] the firm ultimately announced in May 2006, that sailings would not recommence.[25] Reports of the figure vary, but Sogestran are believed to have incurred, by the time of closure, losses of between 8 and 15 million euros since taking over the company.[23][26]

Fleet

[edit]
Ship Built In service Tonnage Current status/Notes
Solidor 1965 (Jos L. Meyer Verft, Papenburg, Germany) 1977–1989 970 GT[27] Scrapped at Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard in 2010[28]
Nordlicht 1973 (J. J. Sietas GmbH & Co, Hamburg, Germany)[29] 1978[4] 999 GT[30] Sank in 2003[29]
Emsland / Elba Nova 1977 (Usuki Shipyard of Usuki Iron Works Ltd, Usuki, Japan))[31] 1984 and 1994-5[7][32] 1,682 GT[32] Currently in service (2024) as Lady Carmela with Gestour[32]
Trident 2 1976 (Westermoen Hydrofoil, Mandal, Norway) 1987–1990 Purchased by Vedettes Blanches et Vertes in 1985[3]
Trident 3 1982 (Westermoen Hydrofoil, Mandal, Norway) 1987–1996 252 GT[33] Originally launched by Vedettes Blanches et Vertes as Trident, renamed 1986[3]
Trident 4 1981 (Westermoen Hydrofoil, Mandal, Norway) 1988–1998 [3]
Solidor 2 1977 (Scheepswerf Hoogezand, Hoogezand, Netherlands) 1989–1998 1,599 GT[34] Scrapped at Tandanor Shipyard in 2022[35]
Trident 5 1974 (Westermoen Hydrofoil, Mandal, Norway) 1990–1996 and 1998–2000 211 GT [36][3]
Trident 6 1981 (Westermoen Hydrofoil, Mandal, Norway) 1990–1994 211 GT[37] [3][38]
Trident 7 1979 (Westermoen Hydrofoil, Mandal, Norway) 1991–1998 234 GT[39] [3][40]
Pegasus 1977 (Westermoen Hydrofoil, Mandal, Norway) 1991–1999 [3]
Mont Orgueil 1985 (Societe Bretonne de Construction Navale (SBCN)) 1992-1995 and 1997-1999 46.80 GT [41]
Emeraude 1994 (Leroux & Lotz Naval, St Malo, France) 1994 851 GT[42] Sank in October 2022 in port of Papeete after being laid up by owners Aremiti Ferry, since February 2005 due to continual engine issues[3][43][9][44][45]
Solidor 3 1996 (Kværner Fjellstrand, Omastrand, Norway) 1996–2001 2,085 GT Currently named (2024) Sama-1[3][10][46]
Emeraude Express 1986 (Marinteknik Verkstads, Öregrund, Sweden) 1998 [3]
Normandie Express 1988 (Marinteknik Verkstads, Öregrund, Sweden) 1999–2003 [3][47]
Solidor 4 1987 (Westamarin, Mandal, Norway) 1999–2003 1,075 GT[48] Originally built as a W 5000L refrigerated cargo catamaran for carrying fish and fresh produce between Iceland and The Netherlands. After several years lay-up in Norway, rebuilt during 1992–93 by Oskarshamns Varv as a car carrying fast ferry, including the adding of a third passenger deck for an operator in the Caribbean. Currently in service (2024) as Formentera Direct with Baleària[3][49]
Sea Shuttle 1 1994 (MK Sea Transportation International, South Africa) 2000–2001 Waterborne airport shuttle for Air France between Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Nice Airport, operated by Emeraude[3][50]
Solidor 5 2000 (Kværner Fjellstrand, Omastrand, Norway) 2001–2005 2,369 GT Currently in service (2024) as HSC Don Francesco with Laziomar[3][51][52]
Emeraude GB 1990 (Incat, Tasmania, Australia) 2004–2005 3,000 GT Holder of Hales Trophy 1990–1998. Entered Emmeraude service as Hoverspeed Great Britain. Currently in service (2024) as HSC High Speed Jet with Seajets[53]
Emeraude France 1990 (Incat, Tasmania, Australia) 2005 3,012 GT Currently in service (2024) as HSC Cat with Seajets[54]

Routes

[edit]
  • France St Malo - Jersey Guernsey Channel Islands 1977-2005

Former Emeraude Ferries routes today

[edit]

Condor continued to operate ferries between the Channel Islands and St Malo until 2025. DFDS took over services between Jersey and St Malo in 2025, with the service between Guernsey and St Malo moving to Condor parent company; Brittany Ferries.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ BBC News "Ferry firm resumes link to France", retrieved 5 May 2011
  2. ^ http://www.ferries.org "Emeraude Ferries", retrieved 5 May 2011
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Timoleon, Tim, ed. (January 2003). The French Connection – The Red and Green Fleet (PDF). Classic Fast Ferries. pp. 2, 4–9. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Emeraude Ferries". Channel Islands Shipping. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  5. ^ Stott, Kathy (4 October 1983). "A Tour de France on a Bicycle Made for Two". Reading Evening Post. p. 10.
  6. ^ Goodfellow, Ray. "Emeraude Ferries". Dover Ferry Photos. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Emeraude Lines S.A." Channel Islands Shipping. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Special Ferry Deals for Motorists". Dorset Evening Echo. 30 January 1990. p. 10.
  9. ^ a b "Former Channel Island ferry sinks in Pacific port – 28 years after its disastrous time serving Jersey". Jersey Evening Post. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b "M/S SOLIDOR 3 (1996)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  11. ^ BBC News "Condor to compete on ferry route", retrieved 5 May 2011
  12. ^ a b "No regrets over ferries decision, says Senator". Jersey Evening Post. 25 May 2006. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Emeraude back in business". Jersey Evening Post. 9 October 2003. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Emeraude sailings safeguard". Jersey Evening Post. 3 October 2003. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Emeraude must now be sold, says receiver". Jersey Evening Post. 5 November 2003. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  16. ^ Jersey Evening Post "Emeraude takeover approved", retrieved 5 May 2011
  17. ^ BBC News "Emeraude creditors meet", retrieved 5 May 2011
  18. ^ "Emeraude back on route for St Malo". Jersey Evening Post. 29 January 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  19. ^ "Ferry firm provides link with Normandy". Jersey Evening Post. 22 March 2005. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  20. ^ "New shipping line operates to Normandy". 1 April 2005. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  21. ^ "New ferry on St Malo route?". Jersey Evening Post. 20 November 2006. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  22. ^ "Shellfish industry hit hard by ferry decision". Jersey Evening Post. 28 December 2005. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  23. ^ a b Kirkman, Richard (2018). By Sea to the Channel Islands. Ramsey: Ferry Publications. p. 308. ISBN 978-1-911268-12-3.
  24. ^ "Ferry firm resumes link to France". BBC News. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Emeraude will not sail again". Jersey Evening Post. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  26. ^ "Ferry line mothballs French route". BBC News. 1 June 2006. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  27. ^ "HISAR 2, IMO 6504773". Baltic Shipping. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  28. ^ "M/S LANGELAND (1965)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  29. ^ a b "M/S NORDLICHT (1973)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  30. ^ "RAROMATAI FERRY, IMO 7315612". Baltic Shipping. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  31. ^ "M/S EMSLAND (1977)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  32. ^ a b c Michael Koefoed-Hansen (2024). "M/F Lady Carmela". The Ferry Site. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  33. ^ "Trident 3". Ship Photos. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  34. ^ Michael Koefoed-Hansen (2024). "M/F Solidor 2". The Ferry Site. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  35. ^ "M/S LANGELAND TO (1977)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  36. ^ "Trident 5". Ship Photos. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  37. ^ "OLEA, IMO 8022975". Baltic Shipping. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  38. ^ "M/S ALISUR AMARILLO (1981)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  39. ^ "TRIDENT VII, IMO 7805253". Baltic Shipping. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  40. ^ "M/S TUMLEREN (1979)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  41. ^ "Mont Orgueil". Channel Islands Shipping. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  42. ^ "CORSAIRE, IMO 9075589". Baltic Shipping. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  43. ^ "HSC EMERAUDE (1994)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  44. ^ "Corsaire (ex HSC Emeraude)". Boats of St Malo. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  45. ^ "Emeraude". Channel Islands Shipping. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  46. ^ Michael Koefoed-Hansen (2024). "HSC Sama-1". The Ferry Site. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  47. ^ "M/S ÖREGRUND (1988)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  48. ^ Michael Koefoed-Hansen (2024). "HSC Formentera Direct". The Ferry Site. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  49. ^ "M/S ANNE-LISE (1987)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  50. ^ "Air France – Emeraude Ferries". Simplon Postcards. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  51. ^ "M/S SOLIDOR 5 (2000)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  52. ^ Michael Koefoed-Hansen (2024). "HSC Don Francesco". The Ferry Site. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  53. ^ Michael Koefoed-Hansen (2010). "HSC Searunner". The Ferry Site. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  54. ^ "HSC Seacat TASMANIA (1990)". Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 23 August 2024.