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On Monday 9 January SeaFrance was declared officially bankrupt and out of business by the Tribunal De Commerce in Paris.

P&O Ferries will take delivery of SPIRIT OF FRANCE on Tuesday 24 January during a handover ceremony at the STX Europe shipyard in Rauma, Finland. She will then commence her 1,400 mile voyage to Dover under the command of Captain Steve Johnson, senior master. The ship will arrive in Dover on Saturday 28 January and will undergo berthing trials at both Dover and Calais before entering service on the premier Channel crossing prior to mid-February.

P&O Ferries was named Ferry Operator of the Year at the British Travel Awards 2011, which is widely regarded as the `Oscars' of the travel industry. The company was also voted Best Cross Channel Operator and Best Ferry Operator (other routes) for its services from Hull to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge. More than 700,000 votes were cast by members of the public and travel trade professionals and the awards were presented at a ceremony in London hosted by writer and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth.

On Friday 18 November the MCA suspended all Hovertravel services with immediate affect due to concerns over propeller shafts in their fleet of hovercraft. Hovertravel released the following statement:

Hovertravel can confirm that they have suspended hovercraft services with effect from 18:00 today Friday 18 November. Following an issue with a propeller on the SOLENT EXPRESS Hovercraft on 30 October, further safety checks are to be undertaken to ensure the continued safety of Hovertravel's fleet. Hovertravel is working with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), the regulatory authority, and hopes to restore a full service as soon as possible. It is important to stress that the current fleet of hovercraft are different models to the one in service on 30 October. As a mandatory measure we are required to ensure the integrity of all our operating systems in conjunction with the MCA. The entire matter revolves around ensuring the safety of our operation. The safety of customers, crew & hovercraft are of paramount importance and Hovertravel are working with the MCA continually throughout this evening and the weekend to ensure the capability of the craft before they are returned to service. This will involve working through a number of further checks now being implemented to ensure that not only the MCA, but Hovertravel are fully satisfied that our craft are safe to operate. We are confident that with the support of the entire Hovertravel team, and the MCA we will complete this process as quickly as we can. We are currently working with Wightlink to accommodate our passengers who are already booked, to ensure they are able to cross the Solent this evening. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience this matter has caused our passengers, and are grateful for their understanding. We will update our website www.hovertravel.com, and our terminal staff will be on duty as normal throughout the weekend to assist and update this situation. It must be stressed we will only commence operations when Hovertravel and the MCA are entirely satisfied.

Services resumed on Monday 21 November.

Sad news was received on 9 August when it was reported that the PANAGIA SOUMELA, ex LADY OF MANN had been towed to the beaches of Aliaga in Turkey for scrapping – truly the end of an era.

The gearbox problems with the MANANNAN continued into the beginning of September though the Company were hopeful of a resolution of the difficulty sooner rather than later.

It has also been reported that the Company have sent a crew, under the command of Captain Allan Albiston, to Greece to bring the SNAEFELl back to UK and Manx waters. It would appear that the demise charter of the vessel has not gone according to plan.

Rough seas and stormy weather have severely hampered the operations of WAVERLEY and BALMORAL. The BALMORAL’s August programme in the Irish Sea was fairly successful, only the Garlieston sailing having to be cancelled. However the extra sailings planned for September in the Irish Sea and the Bristol Channel were wiped out by severe weather and severe anticipated weather and the ship went for lay up to Bristol on 9 September.

The WAVERLEY’s programme on the South coast has also been disrupted by the severe weather.

More woes for the fast craft MANANNAN manifested themselves from about 17 July onwards. After several sailings are seen to be taking longer than timetabled the Company stated that the ship would for the foreseeable future be running on reduced power due to another gearbox failing, this time on the port side outer engine. The Company issued its regrets at the situation, saying they were particularly disappointed as all four gearboxes had been refurbished during the winter by approved agents of the manufacturer. The Liverpool to Douglas sailings during this period will now take over three hours, the ship averaging about 25 knots on passage. Other routes are, of course, similarly affected.

The company’s main passenger vessel, the BON MARIN DE SARK like the MANANNAN, has suffered gearbox failure and has had to be taken out of service. She is temporarily replaced by the BOURNEMOUTH BELLE, on charter. It is noted that the BOURNEMOUTH BELLE is usually taking the morning sailing which is favoured by day trippers. She is running in conjunction with the SARK VENTURE.

BALMORAL failed to start her service at Whitehaven on 25 June due to a delay in completing her dry-docking. She missed her entire Irish Sea and North Wales sailings and the beginning of her Bristol Channel service. At the time of writing she remains at Sharpness in dry dock.

WAVERLEY meanwhile started her main Clyde season on time on Friday 24 June after a difficult and curtailed Bristol Channel season.

STENA ADVENTURER departed Cammell Laird, Birkenhead on the afternoon of 21 June to resume her service from Holyhead to Dublin after refit.

Meanwhile Stena Line finally received clearance from the UK competition authorities to take over the Birkenhead to Belfast service from DFDS. Stena announced that the service would be integrated into their own booking and operations procedures as soon as possible and certainly within the next tree months.

The FINLAGGAN has had a difficult start to her CalMac career. She arrived at Oban on the evening of 22 May after a passage from Poland which included some very rough weather as she came round Cape Wrath. On 25 she was named at Port Askaig by Gina McAuglan, the Chair of the Finlaggan Trust Committee on Islay. However technical problems with a turbo-booster on one of her engines resulted in her not entering service until Wednesday 1 June when she took the 13:00 sailing from Kennacraig to Port Askaig.

Meanwhile observers have noted the demolition of JUNO at Roseneath continues apace and on 1 June CalMac announced that her sister JUPITER would also be sold for “re-cycling.”

It was noted on 22 May that STENA LYNX III entered dry-dock at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead for repairs and refit.

On 11 April it was announced that the Irish Competition Authorities had given the go ahead for Stena’s acquisition of the Birkenhead to Belfast and Heysham to Belfast routes from DFDS. As yet, the British Competition Authorities have not announced any decision.

From 9 to 22 June, STENA EXPLORER will offer two round trips per day on the Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire service, covering for the refit of the STENA ADVENTURER. It is understood that the NORMAN TRADER will cover for the STENA ADVENTURER as well, but in freight only mode.

This Company has operated a service from St Malo to Guernsey and Jersey using the fast craft JACQUES CARTIER since 2007. However, due to rising fuel costs, heavy port taxes and reduced duty free receipts the service has now ceased and will not operate in 2011. The Company carried over 34,600 passengers in 2010. Their withdrawal leaves Condor Ferries in an even stronger position on Channel Island routes.

Both the HEBRIDES and the CLANSMAN have been on the River Mersey during the month of March. HEBRIDES arrived on 7 March for refit at Cammell Laird, departing on the 20th. Two days later the CLANSMAN paid a flying visit to Birkenhead arriving on the 22nd, entering dry dock but departing again at mid-day on the 23rd. She had entered the dry dock to have a leaking stern gland repaired. She was back at Oban just in time to start the summer season timetable.

It is also reported that, on the Clyde, the JUPITER left her lay up berth at Roseneath and was observed sailing for a time on the Firth. No official reason has been forthcoming for this.

It was announced on 8 March that the above company have withdrawn from tendering for the Gourock – Dunoon service, preferring instead to concentrate on other business opportunities. This leaves three remaining interested parties for the route, Cowal Ferries (CalMac) Western Ferries and Clyde Marine.

The Scottish Government announced on 18 February that the tender for the Gourock to Dunoon route would go ahead with tenders due by the end of March. A decision on the successful tender would be announced and awarded by June.

The EUROPEAN ENDEAVOUR entered service at 03:00 on 22 February on the Liverpool to Dublin route, supplementing the NORBANK and NORBAY. The NORCAPE went to lay up in Canada Dock, Liverpool.

On 21 January the new SPIRIT OF BRITAIN made her maiden voyage from Dover to Calais. She had visited Calais for the first time on the 16th for berthing trials.

On 26 January ISLE OF INISHMORE completed her refit at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead and sailed from the Mersey on the afternoon tide bound for Rosslare. Meanwhile on the 28th the OSCAR WILDE arrived on the Mersey for dry docking and refit at Birkenhead.

The three ex Fleetwood Larne vessels of Stena Line are currently laid up at Belfast. STENA LEADER and STENA SEAFARER re at the lay by berth on the Albert Quay while STENA PIONEER is at the H&W Repair Quay.

ULYSSES drydocked at Cammell Laird for her annual refit on 4 January, remaining at the Birkenhead yard until the 11th. On the 12th the ISLE OF INISHMORE and the JONATHAN SWIFT both arrived on the Mersey on the same tide to enter Cammell Laird for their annual drydocking.

It is reported that a positioning by CalMac Ferries' CLANSMAN from Oban to Ardrossan on Saturday 8 January is being made available as a public cruise. Departure from Oban is at 09:00 with arrival at Ardrossan at about 19:00. Fare £45 or £55 for a car plus one passenger. All meals are included in the price. Check with the company for more information.

P&O’s “veteran” PRIDE OF DOVER bowed out of service with the 23:55 sailing from Dover to Calais on 14 December. She returned light to Dover to de-store.

It was announced on the 10th December that SeaFrance’s administration had been extended until April 28th 2011. This is to allow possible bidders for the company more time to formulate their bids.

On 2 December it was announced by DFDS that they had sold their Birkenhead to Belfast Ro-Pax service and their Heysham to Belfast Ro-Ro service to Stena Line. DFDS stated they would retain the Dublin services from both Birkenhead and Heysham.

At the same time Stena Line announced the closure of their Fleetwood to Larne service from the end of the year.

From 23 November it is reported that P&O’s new vessel SPIRIT OF BRITAIN was involved in four days of sea trials in the Baltic. Initial reports suggest they went well.

Condor have announced that from next summer they will be expanding the frequency of sailings from Weymouth to France and the Channel Islands. They intend five extra sailings per week.

Over 7 and 8 November gale force winds and rough seas caused massive disruptions and cancellations across the UK. For example Northlink’s HJATLAND 19:00 sailing from Lerwick to Aberdeen, on the 7th, eventually diverted to Rosyth after failing to dock due to high winds. She finally berthed at Rosyth at 01:00 on the 9th! Over the 10th and 11th there was once again serious weather disruption of services especially on the Irish Sea and English Channel and on the 17th Stena cancelled all Stranraer- Belfast sailings for the day.

The introduction of a twice daily freight service, on the 26 October, using lift on lift off containers between Douglas and Liverpool by the Peter Doehle owned company Mezeron has caused fears that passenger services provided by the long established Isle of Man Steam Packet Company might be adversely effected because of the loss of freight revenue at the Steam Packet.

During an upbeat interview on Welsh local radio an executive gave an upbeat report on Fastnet Line's operations and suggested a replacement for the JULIA could well be envisaged within the next five years.