Page 180 - Bord Bia - Irish Foodservice Directory 2024

The ships are supplied directly by suppliers. Thus suppliers can only deliver
whilst the ships are in port. The delivery windows change with the seasons
and current docking times can be checked via the company’s website.

Irish Ferries reserve the right to conduct a HACCP audit of all suppliers. This
audit is conducted by Irish Ferries and there is no charge. The ships submit
orders to the Purchasing Department which is approved through the
system which forwards the orders on to suppliers via email.

Purchasing is centralised through the On Board Services Manager. The
supply base is constantly under review. Irish Ferries does not have
preferences for the packaging of the foodstuffs supplied. The only labelling
requirements are that the labels conform to the law.

Items with a long shelf-life are preferred, resulting in a preference for frozen
over chilled products. Chilled food products are not used, except for milk,
dairy products and spreads. Deliveries of fresh vegetables are required
twice a week as a minimum.

Distribution providers

Both direct supply to the ships and supply via a distributor are possible.
All of Ireland’s leading distributors supply Irish Ferries. As distributors are
subject to change, current distribution options should be discussed with
the On Board Services Manager.

Advice to new suppliers

Contact should be made with the On Board Services Manager via phone or
email. Samples will be requested and should be sent free of charge directly
to the vessels for comment on their suitability. If there is interest from the
vessels, prices should then be sent to the On Board Services Manager.

Direct supply to the ships from producers must be possible. To achieve
this, the majority of suppliers use interim distributors. The first test for new
products is that they are acceptable to the passengers on the ships. If the
products pass this test, price and supply arrangements may be discussed
with the On Board Services Manager.

Other information

Credit terms for Irish Ferries are 55 days from end of month. The company
has LTAs (Long Term Agreements) with some suppliers.

Brands are used where they are recognised by and requested by passengers
on the ships.

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