History of North Sea Ferries
1965 |
North Sea Ferries formed by two British, two German and two Dutch Companies. P&O through its subsidiary General Steam Navigation Company had a 35% stake. The NORWAVE with a capacity for 250 passengers commences service on the Hull to Rotteram route on the 17th December. |
1966 |
Sistership to the NORWAVE, the NORWIND commences service on the Hull to Rotterdam route enabling a nightly service each way. |
1974 |
NORLAND and NORSTAR (1250 passengers) replace the NORWIND and NORWAVE on the Hull to Rotterdam route, they take the title of 'Largest combined passenger and freight ro-ro ferries then in service'. The NORWIND and NORWAVE inaugurate a nightly service between Hull and Zeebrugge. |
1977 |
Freight Service between Ipswich and Rotterdam is inaugurated. |
1981 |
North Sea Ferries becomes a joint venture between the P&O Group and the Royal Nedlloyd Group of Holland. |
1982/83 |
The NORLAND serves with distinction during and after the Falklands campaign, she also took a leading rold during the San Carlos assault landings. |
1985 |
A £90million 'Third Generation' cruise-ferry investment progamme is announched. NORSEA ordered by P&O in February from Govan Shipbuilders in Glasgow; sistership NORSUN ordered in April by Royal Nedlloyd from Nippon Kokan of Japan. |
1986 |
NORSEA launched on 9th September by HM Queen Elizabeth 'The Queen Mother'. On 29th August NORSUN launched in Japan. |
1987 |
NORSEA and NORSUN enter service in the spring on the premier Hull to Rotterdam route, releasing the NORLAND and NORSTAR to undergoe a £16million lengthening programme that was to see the ships length increase by 20.25m and also the passenger certificate drop to 881 following a reorganisation of public areas and the removal of cabins below the car decks. The NORLAND and NORSTAR on return to service replaced the NORWIND and NORWAVE on the Hull to Zeebrugge service. The NORWIND and NORWAVE are withdrawn from active service after 22 years of flawless service on the North Sea. |
1988 |
In May the Middlesbrough to Zeebrugge freight service is inaugrated offering 6 sailings per week. |
1990 |
North Sea Ferries celebrates its 25th Anniversary. |
1993 |
The purpose built freighters NORBAY and NORBANK enter service on a dedicated service between Hull and Rotterdam. |
1996 |
North Sea Ferries becomes wholly owned by the P&O Group. The bright twintone blue livery of North Sea Ferries was to disappear over the next refit period and the vessels emerged in full P&O livery, however still carrying the traditional North Sea Ferries names rather than the P&O naming style of 'Pride of...' |