New Ferry From Poole, Dorset To Tangiers, Morocco?

Wombles

Wombles

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Saw this on Facebook (can't verify the source so needs further checking) & thought it might be something to watch out for updates on - United Seaways are due to start a direct ferry route from Poole in Dorset to Tangier Med in Morocco to bring fruit and vegetables back to the UK cutting out the paperwork now necessary in the EU. A motorhomer has had this reply with regards to motorhomes being able to use this ferry too:

"We really appreciate your support and the operations team is already considering how we can accommodate motorhome owners and passengers onboard due to overwhelming numbers of requests like your good self and our desire to support the motorhome community to promote exchanges and new opportunities between countries.
Kind regards
Mrs. May
Administration Manager
United Seaways Limited"

Found these articles https://www.logisticsmanager.com/united-seaways-launches-direct-route-from-africa-to-the-uk/
& https://www.dorsetbiznews.co.uk/bre...ced-between-can-do-port-of-poole-and-morocco/
 
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I wonder if it would arrive in Uk early Thursday so fruit and veg etc would be straight to the rdc and in the shops for the weekend.
 
It’s interesting how quickly her response has changed. There were a couple of threads last week. The first included a reply saying that it was to be all goods and not for motorhomes and then a couple of days later as per your post. I might be imagining it though. The company must have got an awful lot of emails like she said, I think Jimbohorlicks was one.
 
Jimbohorlicks said:
The initial responses were from the port management which indicated freight only The positive responses were from the ferry operators United Seaways. (y)
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I guess that they would not want to commit to anything till they sort out what is needed and who is paying. Unaccompanied trailer park etc is quite a bit of space, and someone will be paying for it with out motorhome as well. Always the money. Haha

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I am sitting here getting all excited, who am I kidding, we’d only go on an organised tour! This is when we know that with our completely and utterly useless DIY skills we’d be too far outside our comfort zone unless escorted, much as I’d love to visit Morocco. I will just reread other people’s adventures and live vicariously. I seem to be doing a lot of that, doesn’t top up my tan though.
 
Just been looking at a map of Morocco. If I was an employee of United Seaways and they decided that they would be carrying MHs to Morocco I be straight onto head office and saying I have a great idea !

Lets build a MH campsite in a nice spot not too far from the ferry port, put in a good toilet block, showers, waste disposal etc and a bar / entertainments area, nice and safe with security guards. Make it like the big campsites near Benidorm. Then organise bus tours, (that the MHers have to pay for), into places of interest in Morocco.

United Seaways could organise tickets for the ferry from Morocco to Gib, or other way.

That would work for us! Cruise to Morocco, have the MH in a civilised base, see Morocco, then return via Gib, thro Spain and France.
 
Yes it seems there is some hope. I think the issue could be accomodation on board. These big freight ferries are a bit rough round the edges. Also Poole Harbour has a limit to the size it can accomodate. Rumour is that this might be the boat.

Currently they have not leased a ferry yet

I'm gonna email them as well

1615300752828.png
 
Does Poole Harbour have customs for the general public?

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Hi Sandancers I love your train of thought, imaginative, positive thinking at its best, its put a smile on my face, thank you.(y):giggle:
So much so, and as the early bird catches the worm, I will be selling our house and buying a humongous 4x4 Unimog, then having done The African Continent, I will try & organise that The United Seaways Ship arrives at Cape Town to take us all onto Perth SW Australia to continue our travels.(y):cool:
Ah well, you started it, we all need dreams dont we.:cool:
Best wishes, happy dreams Travels
LES
 
I agree, was thinking the as gpat, a freight only ship would need some serious adaptations to become a passenger ferry offering cabins etc. Don't even think about the additional "Pet Friendly" ones to keep all the Funsters happy;)

Its great to see new travel opportunities being discussed though, just goes to prove there are always ways around logistical problems, even if they are just caused by political bureaucracy/additional paperwork.

Is it too early to guess the price do you think?
Fingers crossed, as always.
LES
 
gpat said:
Yes it seems there is some hope. I think the issue could be accomodation on board. These big freight ferries are a bit rough round the edges. Also Poole Harbour has a limit to the size it can accomodate. Rumour is that this might be the boat.

Currently they have not leased a ferry yet

I'm gonna email them as well

View attachment 472009
Click to expand...
It would appear that vessel is now operated by Brittany Ferries on the Le Havre - Portsmouth route. Are BF looking to move it on? If so, will it already be configured for passenger traffic?
 
Gellyneck said:
It would appear that vessel is now operated by Brittany Ferries on the Le Havre - Portsmouth route. Are BF looking to move it on? If so, will it already be configured for passenger traffic?
Click to expand...
I guess it’s depends on how many cabins it has, as if the freight is accompanied the drivers will need cabins along with any other passengers it might take.

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What would the sailing duration be for such a journey? I’m guessing 2 days?
 
Ivory55 said:
I wonder if it would arrive in Uk early Thursday so fruit and veg etc would be straight to the rdc and in the shops for the weekend.
Click to expand...
Do people only buy fruit and veg at the weekend then?
 
1615315070916.png


Much as I’d welcome a direct ferry service to Morocco, I will not be spending 3-4 days on this type of ship.
We sailed on a similar one from Poole to Santander a few years ago and were bored senseless on the 27 hour crossing in view of the lack of passenger facilities aboard.
 
That looks like the ship LD used to run Portsmouth to Le Havre. Not at all comfortable.

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Surely a larger vessel than that to be commercially viable? She is 27000 tonnes, just as a comparison Pont Aven the Brittany Ferries ship is 40000 tonnes.
 
Phileas Fogg said:
Surely a larger vessel than that to be commercially viable? She is 27000 tonnes, just as a comparison Pont Aven the Brittany Ferries ship is 40000 tonnes.
Click to expand...
If it is that one, may be it’s a toe in the water exercise.
 
Doesn't P&O?have a couple of ferries for sale, previously used out of Hull?
Not sure about their size though

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