For many years Geest line has been shipping livestock and the latest shipped to Mustique via St Vincent were two fine horses emigrating to the Equestrian Centre on the beautiful island in the Grenadines.
The Equestrian Centre in Mustique already has 11 working horses and 4 retired horses, plus the two new ones Willie and Snoopy. Mustique has had horses on the island since the 1970s when some home owners imported horses for their personal use. Over the years the Equestrian Centre has developed into a professionally run stables with two British Horse Society Instructors and trained staff. They offer pony rides for children aged 2 years and over, pony camps, dressage, jumping lessons and trail rides. The horses can often be seen taking a well-earned swim in the heat of the Mustique sunshine.
Geest Line uses a dedicated and certified ‘Horse Box’ (a converted 20 Dry Van) to transport these animals. They are escorted on their journey by a dedicated groom and vet, which doesn’t seem to faze the animals at all, as the pictures show: Willie and Snoopy on passage, running free and taking a swim.
The two new horses will undergo a training program to prepare them for their work and they will be integrated into the herd by October 2016. The Equestrian Centre have used Geest Line on four previous occasions, shipping a total of 9 horses to Mustique.
Geest Line is proud to be associated with the Royal Navy’s Merchant Navy liaison scheme. This scheme is in place to give Junior Naval Officers the chance to sail in Merchant vessels in order to build a stronger common understanding between the maritime communities. With four vessels running out of Portsmouth on a weekly basis Geest Line was approached to be part of the scheme by providing berths in their vessels.
Only too pleased to assist, S/Lts Alex Snow and Mark Walker embarked on the 31st May for a round trip:
| 31 May | Portsmouth – Join |
| 1 June | Le’ Harve |
| 9 June | Martinique |
| 11 June | St Lucia |
| 12 June | Barbados |
| 13 June | St Vincent |
| 13 June | St Lucia |
| 14 June | Antigua |
| 14 June | San Juan |
| 15/16 June | Dominican Republic – Banana Loading |
| 26 June | Portsmouth – Left |
S/Lt Snow observed ‘Clearly, due to the nature of their business, the routine on board differs significantly from that of the RN. With far fewer systems to operate and exercise (eg, weapons, communications, CBRNDC, aircraft etc.) a much smaller crew is required. However, with 150m of upper deck exposed to the weather, not to mention cranes and stacks of containers, there is lots of maintenance to do. During the ocean passage it became clear how much effort is required to keep the ship in an orderly fashion. At one point the Chief Officer (second in command) was seen aloft the main mast conducting ships husbandry. Both of us found this to be a fine example of team work’
Both S/Lts benefited enormously from the scheme, S/Lt Walker observed ‘Most notably from the Captain who took a keen and enthusiastic interest in teaching us not just astronavigation, but also other questions pertaining to the safe navigation of his ship. Captain Trimanez was enthusiastic for us to learn celestial navigation long hand without the aid of computer software such as NavPac. To this end we found themselves consulting Nautical Almanac’s rather than our computers for the times of sunrise, sunset and MerPass. The Captain also required us to calculate Local Hour Angle of Aries each evening in order to conduct simultaneous sights. This allowed us to use the rapid sight reduction tables to employ the intercept method and find the ship’s position. By way of demonstration, the incomparable to Captain Trimanez who was capable of fixing the ship consistently within 3 miles of the ships actual position and plotting it manually before we were finished with our own sights. Something we will never forget’
Both Mark and Alex have now returned to HMS Penzance, which will see them serve in the Middle East. As they left S/Lt Town joined for his trip around the Caribbean curtesy of the Caribbean’s leading Shipping Line. Long may our association continue.
Whilst the United Kingdom were deciding the fate of their place within Europe on the 23rd of June, Geest Line was hosting their annual Cocktail party at the Restaurant des Régates Le Havre. This is our chance to thank our French customers for their continued support with our trade lane to the French West Indies, and this year we were joined by our new clients representing interests in Guadeloupe.
The weather was beautiful, as was the setting, making for a most enjoyable evening. We now look forward to a prosperous future, as we continue to connect Europe with the Caribbean.
After the tremendous success of Top Gear in Barbados in 2014, the weekend of the 7 and 8 May saw the inaugural Barbados Festival of Speed. Once again Geest Line was ever present supporting this prestigious event by being the carrier of choice for vehicles from the UK to Bushy Park. This year it was difficult to look into Barbados’ world class racing circuit without seeing Geest Line branding.
Geest line is very proud to have been trading in Barbados since 1961. Captain Peter Dixon, Managing Director of Geest Line said ‘Due to our long association with Barbados Geest Line is very much viewed as part of the commercial family on the island, as such it is very important to us to continue to support such events which bring the islands and the wider global community together.’
Once again Lewis Hamilton was in attendance with his team, undoubtedly the star of the show he lit up the circuit in Bushy Park with his 2013 F1 car. Also taking part were Monster trucks from the USA and banger cars from the UK. But perhaps the highlight for the younger kart and aspiring F1 drivers was when Lewis took to the track to race against them.
NEWS FLASH ** GEEST TO CALL GUADELOUPE, FRENCH WEST INDIES ** NEWS FLASH
Geest Line – The premier shipping line to the Eastern Caribbean, are pleased to announce their expansion into Guadeloupe in the French West Indies (FWI) with a direct weekly call to Pointe-à-Pitre commencing April 2016.
Kevin Cool Commercial Manager of Geest Line commented “This is Geest Line’s response to the growing demand from the trade for the requirement for high quality, direct and dedicated services to the main destinations within the Eastern Caribbean region. Geest has a long and respected tradition within this region, however we do not sit on our laurels as we consistently explore opportunities to expand the Geest product and service offering to our existing and potential clients. We offer a personalised logistical solution, backed with decades of experience and built upon an established and trusted network of professional agents throughout the region.”
The dedicated direct service commences from Portsmouth (UK) each Tuesday and Le Havre (France) each Wednesday connecting both not only direct with Guadeloupe but also to:
With the fastest direct crossings and arrival at Pointe-à-Pitre in ten (10) ex UK and nine (9) days ex France. Geest Line offers multiple container options which briefly comprise of 10’, 20’ & 40’ reefer, dry, open top and flat rack units available to carry a myriad of cargo types including general/reefer, hazardous cargoes and live vehicles under deck.
Commenting on the announcement Peter Dixon, Managing Director of Geest Line stated
“There has been a requirement from the trade for some time that Geest would extend its Fast and Reliable service to include a weekly call in Guadeloupe. We are therefore now pleased that we can provide this new service to Guadeloupe, in addition to maintaining our regular service to Martinique. The company is also considering its position in serving other ports within the Caribbean given changing market conditions”
For more information, service details and rates please contact us:
UK: +44 1489 873 511 [email protected]
FRANCE: +33 235 191 794 [email protected]
For the second time in the event’s history Geest Line is very proud to announce our sponsorship of the Barbados Festival of Speed. Why not come and join in May 8 2016.
Geest Line is proud to sponsor the Antiguan team in this year’s Atlantic rowing challenge. Take a look at the video about the challenge ahead!
MV Benguela Stream has carried enough bananas for everyone in Britain to have 36 each has celebrated the start of her 100th voyage.
She set sail for the Caribbean this week (Tuesday, September 15) after a ceremony to mark the occasion at Albert Johnson Quay in Portsmouth.
A celebration lunch was held aboard the Dutch-registered 150m vessel and the company’s Financial Director Chris Roberts presented a commemorative plaque to her new Captain, Paul Hagendoorn and previous Captain, Arno Durkstra.
In her 100 round trips for Geest Line the 9,300-tonne Bengeula Stream has transported 2.3 billion bananas and travelled more than a million miles – equal to more than 400 times around the world. Geest Line has been the premier cargo shipping company linking Europe and the Caribbean for more than 60 years.
Mr Roberts said: “I am delighted that Bengeula Stream has reached this landmark. She was purpose-built for the ocean transport of perishable cargo and that she carries out this role perfectly is testament to the expertise of her 20 crew and Geest Line staff.
“She is versatile and absolutely suits Geest Line’s needs. She has a big capacity in four temperature-controlled holds, a highest speed of 21 knots and only needs to refuel in Portsmouth.
“I must emphasise that Geest Line is about much more than just bananas. We pride ourselves at the company on the diversity of the products and cargo we carry – any break bulk cargo from personal effects and furniture on pallets to race horses and supplies for major cruise ships in the Caribbean.”
Benguela Stream, fitted with her own crane, can carry 324 20-foot containers and, unusually for a major shipping line, will also accommodate 10-foot containersBengeula Stream’s 28-day round voyage takes in Le Havre, Martinique, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent, Antigua, St Kitts and the Dominican Republic – carrying freight to the Eastern Caribbean, operating inter-island services and returning across the Atlantic laden with millions of bananas and other tropical fruit.
She is one of four similar specialist refrigeration ships on charter by Geest Line from Dutch company Seatrade since 2008. That charter has just been extended to December 2017. Sister vessel Klipper Stream completed her 100th voyage last month (August) with Timor Stream and Agulhas Stream to follow suit in the next few months as Geest cements its position as the only shipping line sailing direct from the UK to Eastern Caribbean with no transhipment.
On the 14th June 2000, Bradley was tragically killed in a road accident near his home in Hampshire, just four days after his 9th birthday. Bradley’s Foundation was formed by Tina and Gary Dine with some close friends to commemorate Bradley’s 21st birthday on the 10th June 2012. This year the one-day festival raised £12,000 for cancer charities which included the Teenage Cancer Trust appeal.
BBC DJ Nelson topped a bill on Saturday 05 September 2015, which also included Southampton songstress Charley Macaulay, pop singer Danielle May and indie rockers The Novatones, fresh from local Hampshire sets at Common People and Blissfields this summer.
Geest Line have proudly sponsored this charity since it’s birth and has provided limitless time and effort to help support the cause. MD Peter Dixon says: “Geest Line have been delighted to support Bradley’s Foundation for the last three years and to see the success in raising funds in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. It is always a challenge keeping large amounts of food and refreshments cool at such events and our 40 Foot Refrigerator (in the form of a Geest Line Reefer Container) performed the task admirably!”
We are delighted to see the success of Bradfest and look forward to future events.
Prior to sailing from Albert Johnson Quay, Portsmouth (Tuesday 11 Aug 15) for her 100th voyage for the UK’s premier Caribbean shipping line, MV Klipper Stream hosted a celebration lunch for her crew, members of MMD and Geest Line.
Captain Peter Dixon, the Managing Director of Geest Line, presented the ship’s Master, Captain Gerard Flippo, with a plaque to mark the occasion. In doing so he thanked the Captain and crew for all their hard work and sterling service as they carry out the requirements of the Line in the Caribbean, UK and France.
Geest Line has been operating in the Caribbean for over 6 decades, Klipper Stream is one of four specialist refrigerated (reefer) vessels which has been under charter to the line from since 2008. A very versatile vessel, she is capable of carrying 324 x 20 foot containers for cargo (or 40 foot equivalent), and her 4 holds are used to carry Break Bulk Cargo. Geest Line is the leading shipping line in terms of Break Bulk Cargo carriage from UK and Europe to the Caribbean and can carry almost anything on deck. Her 4 holds are temperature and atmosphere controlled, allowing her to ship millions of Bananas from the Caribbean to the UK and Europe on a weekly basis.
During her 100 voyages Klipper Stream has covered approx. 1.2 million miles travelling from Europe to the Caribbean and inter island between Antigua, St Kitts, Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent, Grenada, Barbados and Trinidad, she has also just finished a mango season in Puerto Rico. She takes eight days to make her Atlantic crossing and only 28 days for a round trip Portsmouth to Portsmouth. She has carried approx. 2.6 billion bananas from the Caribbean to the UK – enough to supply over a quarter of the earth’s population with a banana.
Klipper Stream, in concert with her 3 sister vessels (Benguela, Agulhas and Timor), maintains a weekly presence for Geest Line within the Caribbean, arriving Portsmouth on a Sunday and sailing Tuesday. Klipper Stream 100 will arrive in Le Havre AM Wednesday 12 Aug – Fort de France, Martinique PM Thursday 20 Aug – Bridgetown, Barbados AM Friday 21 Aug – Port of Spain, Trinidad AM Saturday 22 Aug – St George’s, Grenada AM Sunday 23 Aug – Kingstown, St Vincent PM Sunday 23 Aug – Castries, St Lucia AM Monday 24 Aug – Vieux Fort, St Lucia PM Monday 24 Aug – Fort de France, Martinique AM Tuesday 25 Aug – Roseau, Dominica PM Tuesday 25 Aug – Manzanillo, Dominican Republic PM Thursday 27 Aug before returning to Portsmouth PM Sunday 6 Sept. Her westbound cargo includes brand new luxury cars, large excavators, containers with dry cargo; sugar, fertilizer, household goods, British products etc. She will move various cargos between the islands, whilst once again her eastbound return leg will see her full to the gunnels with tropical produce.
GEEST LINE
”CONNECTING THE CARIBBEAN”