Cape Verde Islands
 
 
This page is devoted to photographs of the shipping of the Cape Verde Islands. I visited the port of Mindelo, on 26th December 2001, whilst on a cruise on P&O's Aurora. I believe most of the fleet was in port that day, loading for their first trips after Christmas. This image below shows the various islands.
 
 
 
A fleet of inter-island cargo-passenger ferries operates out of the largest town in the islands, Mindelo on St Vincent. These ferries vary from impressive modern vessels such as Praia D'Aguada, down to the rough-looking Mar Novo. The only information I have found so far is that there are two main ferry routes between the islands. At present, a daily ferry service operates between the port of Mindelo, Sao Vicente and the island of Santo Antao. A second regular ferry service connects the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava. In 2003, something of a revolution in Cape Verde shipping services began with the purchase of three car ferries, all previously serving amongst the more northerley Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Canaries. Pictures of these in Cape Verde service are not yet available, but they are listed below.
 
Additional details have been supplied by Raúl Soulé, the Director of services of Mercante Marine and Ports, Cape Verde Maritime Administration, who writes:- Please note that the traditional lo-lo ships on Cape Verde are the follows:- Barlavento, Sotavento, Djon Dade, Ribeira de Paúl, Janela, Mar Novo, Mar Azul and Praia D'Aguada. The current ro-ro ferries are Mar d'Canal and Tarrafal.
 
All except Sotavento, sister of Barlavento, are shown below, so my photographs were more comprehensive than I had imagined. Christmas may be the only time they congregate together in Mindelo.
 
 
Traditional LO-LO Ships on this Page:-
Barlavento
Djon Dade
Janela
Mar Novo
Mar Azul
Praia D'Aguada
Ribeira de Paúl
 
The 2003 RO-RO Car Ferry Arrivals:-
Tarrafal - ex-Lineas Fred.Olsen: 2003-
Lobo Des Mares - Cape Verde Line: 2003-2003
Mar d'Canal - Naviera Armas: 2003-
 
Associated Pages:-
Fred Olsen - North Sea Operations
Lineas Fred.Olsen - Canary Islands Operations
Naviera Armas
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
 
 
 
 
Cape Verde Inter-Island Ferries
 
 
Barlavento (1987- )
Sotavento (1987- )
 
Barlavento details: 499grt, Built: 1987 (registered owner and ship manager : Arca Verde)
 
These three similar ferries operate to the more distant Cape Verde islands. Barlavento and Sotavento alternate on weekly sailings from Mindelo, whilst Furna operates between the southern isles of Fogo, Brava and Praia.
 
Raúl Soulé writes:- The ferries Barlavento and Sotavento were built in same year 1987, by the Schiffswerft U. Maschin. F.C.GmbH shipyard, Germany.
 
 
Barlavento at Mindalo.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Mindelo, 26th December 2001.
 
Barlavento at Mindalo.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Mindelo, 26th December 2001.
 
Barlavento at Mindalo (plus Praia d`Aguada on the left, Djon Dade on the right).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Mindelo, 26th December 2001.
 
Barlavento at Mindalo (plus Praia d`Aguada on the left, Djon Dade on the right).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Mindelo, 26th December 2001.
 
 
The Barlavento and Sotavento at S. Vicente, Porto Grande in 2005.
 
 
 
 
 
Tarrafal (2004- )
 
Tarrafal was built by Meyer Werft, Germany, in 1968 as the Betula for Scandinavian Ferry Lines' Linjebuss service between Helsingor and Helsingborg. She was sold to Lineas Fred.Olsen in 1992 for the Corralejo (Fuertaventura) to Playa Blanca (Lanzorote) service and renamed Buganvilla. In 2003 she was replaced by a fast ferry, and sold to Cape Verde interests.
 
Raúl Soulé writes:- The old Buganvilla, has since 19th February 2004 been registered in Cape Verde as Tarrafal, owned by the S.T.M. - Sociedade dos Transportes Marítimos, Lda. This society is a mixed between Cape-Verdians and Spanish people from Canary Islands. Each Tuesday at 14:30, the Tarrafal departs from Mindelo on São Vicente for the islands of São Nicolau and Santiago (São Tiago), returning via São Nicolau to Mindelo on the Thursday at 14:00. She then lies in Mindelo between Thursday and Tuesday. I believe that timings are fairly approximate. To confuse matters, at least two other islands also have a port called Tarrafal.
 
Contact Details:-
Sociedade de Transportes Marítimos, Lda
P.O. Box 120
Avenida 5 de Julho
Mindelo - S. Vicente
Cape Verde
 
telephone: +238 2321179
 
Raúl Soulé is the Director of services of Mercante Marine and Ports, Cape Verde Maritime Administration.
 
Complete history of Tarrafal
 
 
Tarrafal Timetable - 2005

Day

Port - Island

 Arr

 Dep
 Tuesday  Mindelo - São Vincente

 -

 14:30
 Tuesday  Tarrafal - São Nicolau

 18:30

 20:00
 Wednesday  Praia - São Tiago

 07:30

 19:00
 Thursday  Tarrafal - São Nicolau

 06:30

 10:00
 Thursday  Mindelo - São Vincente

 14:00

 -
 
 
 
 
Tarrafal at Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands, 6th May 2005.
Photo: © Sociedade de Transportes Marítimos (STM).
 
Tarrafal at Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands, 6th May 2005.
Photo: © Sociedade de Transportes Marítimos (STM).
 
Tarrafal at Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands, 6th May 2005.
Photo: © Sociedade de Transportes Marítimos (STM).
 
 
 
 
 
Djon Dade
 
I have no details on the Djon Dade, other than that she apparently works for Bini Line. One web page which I found indicated that she worked as a tramp, rather than on a regular or even irregular service.
 
 
Djon Dade on the right (plus Barlavento on the left).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Mindelo, 26th December 2001.
 
Djon Dade behind on the right (plus Barlavento in the centre, Praia d`Aguada on the far left ).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Mindelo, 26th December 2001.
 
 
 
 
Janela (1983- )
 
I have no information about the current condition of Janela, seen behind the Ribeira de Paul in the picture below. However, Per Eliassen has identified her as originally being the Tussøy, of Troms Fylkes Dampskipsselskap (TFDS) in Tromsoe. She was built in 1972, at Sigbjørn Iversen Mek. Verksted, Flekkefjord. Sold in 1983 to Companiha Nacional De Navigacao, Cabo Verde.
 
Raúl Soulé writes:- The small lo-lo Janela was the old Furna (ex-Tussøy), has been owned since 3rd February 1983 by the Abílio Silva & Silva Navegação, Lda. This ship will maintain the connection between Furna (Brava islands) and Vale-dos-Cavaleiros (fogo islands) from middle of
June 2005.
 
 
Photograph of Tussøy arriving in Tromsoe in 1972.
 
The vessel behind Ribeira de Paul appears to be called the Janella.
I was at the end of the quay when I photographed her, so could not get a better picture.
 
 
 
 
 
Lobo Des Mares
(Cape Verde Line: 2003- )
 
Lobo des Mares was built as the Christian IV by Aalborgs Vaerft A/S, Ålborg, Denmark in 1967 for A/S Kristiansands Dampskipsselskap, Kristiansand, Norway. She entered service between Kristiansand-Hirtshals in 1968. Soon afterwards, Fred Olsen acquired a majority ownership in Kristiansands DS. Christian IV was sold in 1984 to Malaysian owners and renamed Pernas Safari. In 1994 she was sold to Endeavour Shipping SA, Valletta, Malta as the Safari and used on a service as Safari Lines betwen Bari-Korfu-Igoumenitsa. In 1996 she was bought by Porto Santo Line, Madeira, renamed the Lobo Marinho and put into service between Vila Baleira, Porto Santo and Funchal, Madeira. She was replaced by a new built ship in 2003, and was chartered to Cabo Verde Line, Praia, Cape Verde Islands, and renamed Lobo des Mares for a service between Mindelo and the island of Praia (one return trip per week). The charter ceased in December 2003, and Lobo des Mares returned to her owners in Madeira.
 
 
Lobo Marinho I being delivered to Cabo Verde Line - she was renamed Lobo des Mares on arrival.
Photo: © R.M.G.S.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mar Azul
 
Mar Azul appeared to be out of use at Mendelo. She prevuiously worked, with Mar Novo, between Mindelo and Porto Novo.
 
Mar Azul at Mendelo, São Vincente.
 
 
 
 
 
Mar D'Canal (Naviera Armas: 2003- )
 
Mar D'Canal was built as the Skudenes of Stavangerske in 1970. Skudenes ran between Stavanger and Skudeneshavn. She later sailed as Ryfylke, also on Norwegian coastal servuces. In 1990 she was sold to PITRA as the Pitiusas, followed by sale to Naviera Armas in 1996 as Volcan de Tindaya (1). Volcan de Tindaya operated between Corralejo and Playa Blanca in the Canary Islands. Volcan de Tindaya (1) was replaced by Volcan de Tindaya (2) in 2003. In summer 2003, Volcan de Tindaya (1) was renamed Mar D'Canal, and began operating a new Naviera Armas route between Mindelo and Porto Novo in the Cape Verde Islands. She leaves Mindelo at 8:00h and 15:00h each day, and from Porto Norvo at 10:00h and 16:00h (14:00h and 18:00h on Sundays).
 
 
2005 Timetable - Daily except Tuesday and Sunday (2 voyages)
Departure from Mindelo at 08:00 arrive Porto Novo at 09:00
Departure from Porto Novo at 10:00 and arrive Mindelo at 11:00
Departure from Mindelo at 15:00 arrive Porto Novo 16:00
Departure from Porto Novo at 17:00 arrive Mindelo at 18:00
 
Tuesday (1 voyage)
Departure from Mindelo at 08:00 arrive Porto Novo at 09:00
Departure from Porto Novo at 10:00 and arrive Mindelo at 11:00
 
Sundays (1 voyage)
Departure from Mindelo at 08:00 arrive Porto Novo at 09:00
Departure from Porto Novo at 17:00 and arrive Mindelo at 18:00
 
Additional photos are available on this link.
 
 
This is an official Naviera Armas publicity photograph.
 
Volcan de Tacande at Lanzarote, 23rd December 2001.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Volcan de Tacande at Lanzarote, 23rd December 2001.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Volcan de Tacande at Lanzarote, 23rd December 2001.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mar Novo
 
In 2003, Mar Novo was listed as being out of service, following the arrival of car ferry Mar d'Canal. She prevuiously worked, with Mar Azul, between Mindelo and Porto Novo.
 
I have no details on Mar Novo and Mar Azul, but David Asprey writes:- "The Cabo Verde ferries, MAR NOVO and MAR AZUL are clearly converted Japanese/Taiwanese fishing vessels".
 
Mar Novo arriving at Mendelo, São Vincente, from Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
Mar Novo arriving at Mendelo, São Vincente, from Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
 
 
 
 
Praia D'Aguada (1999- )
     
    Details of Praia d`Aguada are:-
    Company: CNN Arca Verde, Cap Verde
    Builders: Cassens-Werft in Emden, 1999
    Dimensions: 68.0m / 12.6m / 3.9m
    Size: 1364grt/244 Passengers
    Speed: 15.5 knots
    Crew: 19
    Registered: Sao Vicente

 
 
 
 
Praia d`Aguada at Mindelo.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Mindelo, 26th December 2001.
 
Praia d`Aguada on the far left (plus Barlavento in the centre, Djon Dade behind on the right).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Mindelo, 26th December 2001.
 
Praia d`Aguada on the far left (plus Barlavento in the centre, Djon Dade behind on the right).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Mindelo, 26th December 2001.
 
 
 
 
 
Ribeira de Paúl
 
In 2003, Ribeira de Paúl was listed as running a single crossing from Mindelo to Porto Novo (Santo Antão) each day, leaving Mindelo at 7:30 and returning at 10:30. When I visited in 2001, she ran a second return crossing in the afternoon. Despite the arrival of the ferry Mar d'Canal, Ribeira de Paúl was still listed as maintaining this service in October 2004, along with another unidentified vessel the Tarrafal, which made 4 trips per week on the same route. The fare on Ribeira de Paúl is only half the fare for Mar d'Canal.
 
Thore Kibsgaard writes:- Ribeira de Paul was built in Sandnessjøen in 1959 as yard no: 1 of Sandnessjøen Slip. She sailed as the inter island ferry Vefsen between Sandnessjøen and Mosjøen until a good road connection was established in the late 1960s. I believe she was sold in 1974 to a company in Guinea Bissau.
 
Raúl Soulé writes:- Ribeira de Paúl was built in 1959 in Sandnessjoen by A/S Sandnessjoen Slip for Helgeland
Trafikkselskap A/S. She was and bought for of 600.000 NOK on 3rd October 1974 by Fernando Azevedo on behalf of the Republic of Cape Verde, and registered with the name Arca Verde I, belonging to the Cape Verde public company Arca Verde. On 7th February 1991, Arca Verde I was sold on to the company STM (Sociedade de Transportes Marítimos) for 4 million Capeverdian Escudos, and registered with the name Ribeira de Paúl. On 29 of May 1995 Ribeira de Paúl was bought by Abílio Francisco Silva, of Abílio Silva & Silva Nevegação, the current owner, and maintained same name.

This ship operates between Mindelo (S.Vicente island) to Porto Novo (Santo Antão island). In 2005 she leaves Mindelo at 07:30 Monday-Saturday (no service Sunday), returning from Porto Novo at 10:30, the journey taking one hour.

Gross tonnage: 278.17 tons
Net tonnage: 110.06 tons
Lenght over all: 32.40 m
Breadth: 7.35 m
Draft: 3.22 m
Main engine: Bergen diesel type DF8, 400 BHP
 
 
 
Vefsen in original Norwegian service.
Photo: © Trond Carlsen.
Scan: Thore Kibsgaard.
 
Ribeira de Paul leaving Mendelo, São Vincente, for Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
Ribeira de Paul leaving Mendelo, São Vincente, for Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
Ribeira de Paul leaving Mendelo, São Vincente, for Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
Ribeira de Paul leaving Mendelo, São Vincente, for Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
Ribeira de Paul leaving Mendelo, São Vincente, for Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
Ribeira de Paul leaving Mendelo, São Vincente, for Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
Ribeira de Paul arriving at Mendelo, São Vincente, from Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
Ribeira de Paul arriving at Mendelo, São Vincente, from Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
Ribeira de Paul arriving at Mendelo, São Vincente, from Porto Novo, Santo Antão.
 
Ribeira de Paul in Mendelo, on St Vincent. The vessel behind Ribeira de Paul appears to be called the Janela. I was at the end of the quay when I photographed her, so could not get a better picture.
 
Ribeira de Paul in Mendelo, on St Vincent.
 
Photograph of Ribeira de Paul at Porto Novo.
Photo: Unknown.
 
 
 
 
 
Timetables and Terminals
 
The only timetable information that I could find on the inter-island ferries was on these blackboards.
The departure times for the five ships shown above are all displayed.
 
 
An impressive new terminal has been completed, although it was not yet open on my visit.
 
 
 
 
 
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