The 'Commodore Goodwill', now renamed 'Caesarea Trader', which served the Channel Islands for nearly 30 years, is to be repurposed to transport freight by the Danish-based DFDS. The purchase of the ferry will enhance lifeline freight services connecting Jersey with Portsmouth and St Malo. The ship reflagged under the UK flag, and renamed in homage to Jersey's Latin name, It will be overhauled ahead of its launch later this year, replacing the 'Arrow', the chartered vessel currently transporting Jersey's freight.
News
ASTORIA
Sold/Decommissioned
The auction of the 'Astoria' on June 17 fetched 200,000 Euros at the Rotterdam District Court on June 17. 'In the end there was only one bidder, the recycling company Galloo. The ship was auctioned for the opening bid and minimum amount. The ship will soon be dismantled and recycled by Galloo in the port of Ghent. The ship yields more than 12,000 tons of material, more than 97 % of which will be reused, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, glass, wood, and plastics. Significantly, the recycler aims to achieve a 97% material recovery rate, transforming the liner into renewable raw materials, in alignment with European circular economy directives. The 'Astoria' has been tied up in Rotterdam's Waalhaven since 2020., after its cruise line was declared bankrupt during the corona pandemic. In 2021, the ship was auctioned by the Portuguese company Teamson, which has not paid the bills to shipping agent Oudkerk in Rotterdam for two years. The court considered it plausible that the bills together of 439,019.89 Euros must be paid by Teamson to Oudkerk. Because the Portuguese have no money, the ship was seized. The ship had been purchased by Teamson for a considerably higher amount than 200,000 Euros in 2021. The ship now has overdue maintenance and damage to the hull, because it broke loose from the berth in the port in Rotterdam during a storm. The new owner also has to settle with Rhenus Logistics, where the ship has been moored for the recent years. That company is demanding 700,000 Euros for costs incurred. During the hearing it also emerged that the Environment and Transport Inspectorate will not simply let the ship leave the port. because it considers the 'Astoria' to be waste that cannot simply be taken abroad. Before the vessel can be towed, Galloo must settle outstanding port dues, a standard procedure in marine asset liquidation.
