• Transport and infrastructure

MT Cumbrian Fisher heads for the Falklands

Under contract to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) the MT Cumbrian Fisher, one of James Fisher Everard’s 18 strong fleet of double-hulled tankers, is en route to the Falkland Islands with a cargo of diesel and jet kerosene.

James Fisher Everard (JFE) is a logistics partner to the major global fuel suppliers operating in Europe. Every day of the year, the company safely transports hydrocarbon fuels from refineries and terminals to European towns and cities – vital energy that heats everything from homes and offices to schools and hospitals, and keeps the economy moving. 

JFE’s fleet of 18 double-hull tankers is young, technically sophisticated and well managed, operating to the highest standards of safety and reliability. It also boasts very strong green credentials, operating state-of-the-art diesel-electric hybrid propulsion systems that minimize greenhouse gas emissions and reduce other airborne pollutants such as NOx and SOx.

Owning and operating ships is a high fixed cost business and it is vital to maintain full vessel utilization to support this significant investment. During the summer months in Europe, as average temperatures rise and schools close and families take holidays, the demand for fuel weakens and this in turn increases the idle time across the fleet. During May 2012 the MoD invited offers for the transportation of diesel and jet kerosene from the UK to the Falklands. This voyage would stretch across the quiet midsummer period in Europe and so JFE was quick to respond and was awarded the contract.

A typical UK or Irish coastal voyage for JFE lasts just 3 days so this 2 month round trip from June to August represents a very new challenge with many safety and operational factors to consider, all of which had to be carefully planned for before the voyage could be confirmed.

The MT Cumbrian Fisher arrived on time and ready to load at Killingholme, near Hull, on 20th June 2012 before commencing its journey to Port Stanley. The JFE fleet is managed by James Fisher Shipping Services in Barrow, whose responsiveness and flexibility was crucial to being able to complete due diligence and rapidly make an offer for this business. It is also a tribute to the quality, experience and also to the flexibility of JFE’s Masters and crew that this valuable commercial opportunity was successfully realized.