Irish Ferries has seen the delivery of its ro-pax newbuilding under construction at German yard Flensburger delayed for a second time.
As a result, the company said that it has no option but to cancel all the planned sailings to France for W.B. Yeats this summer.
Flensburger blamed “delays in the delivery of interior components for public areas and on the electrical system installation in the hull and deckhouse” for the latest delivery postponement.
The new ship was due to commence sailings between Ireland and France in July, but these will not likely start now until September.
“All the key functions of our shipyard and our key suppliers are on the ship, and meet daily to ensure direct and efficient communication," said Flensburger chief executive Rudiger Fuchs.
"Our team is fully focused on completing this first of two large passenger ferries which ICG has ordered from FSG.
"To overcome delays in the delivery of interior components intended for the public areas of the ferry, we have made additional funds available to pay second level suppliers directly."
Irish Ferries said it is contacting affected customers, estimated to involve around 6,000 bookings, to inform them of the cancellations.
The ferry company was previously forced to cancel July sailings for the W.B. Yeats when they were informed in April by Flensburger, of the initial delay.
About 2,500 bookings were impacted by the earlier cancellation, however, 95% of those customers chose to switch to Irish Ferries’ other cruise ferry, the Oscar Wilde (built 1987).
