The romance of the traditional
UK to Australia liner service
may not be relegated to the
distant past, with plans to
resurrect the route.
THE initiative, titled Project Orient Ltd, is the
brainchild of a group of British business men,
including former Fred Olsen Cruise Line
stalwart Nigel Lingard, and would see the
launch of a liner service between
Southampton and Sydney.
Plans for Project Orient include the building
of two 100,000 ton vessels which, according to
the company would deliver guests to
Australian shores “the civilised way”.
The duo would sail 12 Southampton to
Sydney voyages per year which would take 20
days to reach Fremantle from Southampton,
and 25-days to reach Sydney.
Ports of call along the way would include
Singapore and Mumbai amongst others, as
well as a transit of the Suez Canal.
According to the company, in both
atmosphere and ports of call, the voyages
would hark back to the “golden age of travel”,
allowing guests to take time to enjoy the
travel, facilities and service of the vessels,
rather than rushing from place to place.
At present the company is searching for the
funding to make the dream a reality, and has
said it is looking for equity of about £200m,
with the remaining £650m set to be funded
from debt.
If all goes Project Orient’s way, it is hoped the
services will launch in 2016.
