Straitsman heads to Guernsey

The Straitsman ferry has been sold to Guernsey-based Condor Ferries.

It is understood Condor Ferries intends to rename the 13,906-GT ferry – which is still currently operating on Bluebridge’s Cook Strait schedule alongside the 27,414-GT Connemara – and deploy it in service by the Europe autumn season.

Formerly known as the Dueodde, the 2005-built Straitsman became the most modern vessel in Cook Strait operation at the time of it replacing the Monte Stello in late 2010.

In a recent service alert, Bluebridge announced that the 186.63-metre Connemara had taken over the scheduled sailings of the 186-metre and 21,856-GT Strait Feronia, while the latter was undergoing drydock in Sydney until the end of March, ensuring the ferry operator maintained a two-vessel service.