Sally Line
 | |
| Industry | Passenger transportation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1981 |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Fate | Acquired by Holyman |
| Successor | Holyman Sally Ferries |
| Headquarters | Ramsgate, United Kingdom |
Area served | English Channel |
| Parent | Rederi Ab Sally |
Sally Line UK (sometimes referred to as Sally Ferries UK) was a British ferry operator on the English Channel and North Sea.
History
Early Years
Sally Line was founded in 1981[1] by Michael Kingshott as a subsidiary of the Finland-based Rederi Ab Sally,[1] and initially marketed as Sally Viking Line, with a livery that was nearly identical with that of Viking Line, a Baltic Sea ferry consortium of which Sally was a member. The naming scheme of Sally's Viking Line ships was also carried over to the UK operations, with ships named either The Viking or Viking [number].[2]
Takeover and Expansion Attempts
In 1987 Rederi Ab Sally, including the Sally Line UK operations, was sold to Effoa and Johnson Line,[3] Sally's Baltic Sea rivals and owners of Silja Line. As a result of the change of ownership, a new Sally Line UK livery was adopted in 1988 and the company's ships were renamed with a Sally-prefix.[2]
In 1989, Sally led a consortium with Globe Investment Trust, 3i and merchant bank; Tranwood Earl, who attempted a hostile takeover of The Southampton, Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Limited, trading as Red Funnel.[4] The opening offer of 205p was swiftly rejected[5] and despite threats by Sally of a competing cross-Solent service[6], or a purchase of Sealink's Isle of Wight operations[7], a revised offer of 236p per share was made.[8] Associated British Ports Holdings emerged as a White Knight in battle, firstly taking a 1% stake in Red Funnel and then extending this to a 264p per share full takeover offer.[9] Sally withdrew[10] and ABP's takeover of Red Funnel was given the go ahead in October 1989.[11]
Final Years
Sally Line UK operated the Holyman Sally Line service from Port of Ramsgate to Ostend from 1993 to 1998, but this became no longer viable Holyman became partners with Hoverspeed and moved the service to Dover. In the mid-90s Sally Line adapted a new livery and a logo similar to that of Silja Line,[2] but this proved short-lived as the company ceased operations in 1998.[1]
Fleet
 | This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2008) |
| Ship | Years in service | Tonnage | Notes | Status as of 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS The Viking | 1981–1983 | 5,286 GRT | Scrapped 2015 at Aliağa, Turkey. | |
| MS Viking 6 MS Sun Express |
1982, 1985–1986 1985 |
5,073 GRT | Chartered | Scrapped 2001 at Aliağa, Turkey. |
| MS The Viking MS Wasa Prince |
1983–1989 1989–1990 |
4,655 GRT | Chartered. | Since 2000 MS Moby Lally for Moby Lines. Renamed in 2017 to Moby Baby Two. |
| MS Viking 3 | 1983–1984 | 4,299 GRT | Since 2016 MS ST. DAMIAN for Seamed Trading Shipping. | |
| MS Viking 2 MS Sally Sky MS Eurotraveller |
1986–1988 1988–1996 1997–1998 |
4,998 GRT (until 1990) 14,558 GRT (1990 onwards) |
Chartered | Scrapped 2016 at Aliağa, Turkey. |
| MS Sally Star | 1988–1997 | 9,120 GRT | Chartered | Since 2012 MS Wasa Express for Wasa Line. |
| MS Botnia Express | 1989 | 4,152 GRT | Chartered | Scrapped at Alang, India in 2021 |
| MS Bazias 3 MS Sally Euroroute |
1991–1993 1993–1996 |
9,000 GRT | Chartered | Since 2012 MS Bursa N for Istanbul Lines. |
| MS Bazias 4 MS Sally Eurolink |
1991–1993 1993–1997 |
9,082 GRT | Chartered | Since 2011 MS Adelta. |
| MS Sally Sun | 1992–1995 | 6,643 GRT | Chartered | Since 1998 MS Gute for Rederi AB Gotland. |
| MS Sally Eurobridge | 1994 | 6,041 GRT | Chartered | Grounded 2008 as MS Riverdance, subsequently scrapped. |
| MS Sally Euroway MS Euroway |
1995–1997 1997–1998 |
9,079 GRT | Chartered | Since 2007 MS Ammari for Ustica Lines. |
References
Notes
- ^ a b c Asklander, Micke. "Sally Line". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 15 March 2008.
- ^ a b c Boyle, Ian. "Sally Line UK". Simplon Postcards. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
- ^ Asklander, Micke. "Rederi Ab Sally". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
- ^ "Sally Sails in With a Bid". Evening Standard. 23 June 1989. p. 19.
- ^ Durman, Paul (24 June 1989). "Red Funnel Rejects Sally's £20.87m Offer". The Independent. p. 21.
- ^ Rood, Phil (26 June 1989). "Sally Line Issues Warning to Rivals". Southern Evening Echo. p. 3.
- ^ Petty, John (17 August 1989). "Sea Containers Signs Up Sachs". The Daily Telegraph. p. 20.
- ^ "Sally Sails in With a New Offer". Evening Standard. 22 August 1989. p. 20.
- ^ John, Daniel (2 September 1989). "ABP to the Rescue of Red Funnel with Launch of £27m Agreed Bid". The Guardian. p. 11.
- ^ Durman, Paul (8 September 1989). "Sally Drops Offer for Red Funnel". The Independent. p. 26.
- ^ "Green Light for Red Funnel Take-over". Southern Evening Echo. 12 October 1989. p. 3.