MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

MV Tamar says goodbye to Punta Arenas.

MV Tamar concluded this week an uninterrupted cycle of ten years of regular trips between Punta Arenas and the Falkland Islands.

During this period thousands of tons of cargo were transported to the Islands, according to a report in Punta Arenas main daily, La Prensa Austral that includes a picture of the vessel.

Captain Stephen Clifton quoted in Prensa Austral says that MV Tamar satisfied an important trade movement that benefited both Punta Arenas and the Falklands, particularly regarding fuel, fresh fruit and vegetables and general cargo.

In its last trip, reports La Prensa Austral, MV Tamar transported to the Islands vehicles from Iquique and several horses.

Captain Clifton is quoted telling La Prensa Austral he felt nostalgic about the ending of the Punta Arenas-Falklands bridge that began with six annual trips and escalated to nine round trips, a total of 73 in the ten years of MV Tamar.

Apparently a new company based in Scotland, Islands Shipping, will be responsible for the new service between Punta Arenas and Falklands after having won the bidding process following the conclusion of the contract with Byron Marine.