Huelin Renouf extends freight route to Alderney

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Huelin-Renouf Shipping is adding Alderney to the lifeline freight route the company operates between the Channel Islands and the UK.

Following successful sea trials last month from 23 February, Huelin-Renouf will sail to and from Braye Harbour twice a week, linking the islands’ most northerly port directly to Jersey, Southampton and UK markets nationwide.

During the trials a new local maritime record was set when the newly-renovated commercial quay in Braye Harbour welcomed its largest ever visitor as the 86-metre MV Huelin Dispatch called in while en route from Jersey to Southampton.

The Huelin-Renouf Director responsible for Alderney, Steve Champion-Smith, said: ‘We are delighted that the berthing trials for the Huelin Dispatch and the Huelin Endeavour were successful and that this has allowed us to add Alderney to our service between the Channel Islands and Southampton. We consider Alderney to be an integral part of our evolution and look forward to serving the island for many years to come. Our comprehensive carrying capabilities, coupled with regular sailings from Southampton, will allow us to offer a better service to both businesses and residents.’

The number three, or East Berth, of Alderney’s commercial quay has been lengthened as part of an extensive upgrade by the States of Alderney and is now capable of handling much larger vessels. The addition of Alderney to Huelin-Renouf’s existing schedule will provide an important boost for local residents and businesses.

Alderney Harbour Master Steve Shaw said: ‘The work on the quay, which has seen a number of improvements including the ability to use berth three for commercial cargo operations, has enabled a ship of this size to moor alongside, previously this would not have been possible.”

In September 2009, the MV Huelin Dispatch was joined by the MV Huelin Endeavour as part of Huelin-Renouf’s multi-million-pound investment in the freight route service, almost doubling the previous weekly capacity. This capability comes a year after the move to a purpose built freight terminal in the Southampton Eastern Docks allowing Huelin-Renouf to connect efficiently with the UK rail network and world-wide deep-sea freight links.