Seatruck to double Irish Sea capacity

Irish Sea freight ferry operator Seatruck Ferries has ordered two new ro-ro freight ferries from Spain’s Astilleros de Huelva. When they enter service in 2007 they will be able to move 130,000 freight trailers per annum on Seatruck’s Warrenpoint – Heysham route, more than doubling present capacity.

Seatruck’s general manager Alistair Eagles says, “This is fantastic news for all of our freight customers. We have been running at full capacity for some time now and cannot satisfy demand for our efficient, no-frills freight service. With the support of our parent group, Clipper Group Ltd, we can make this major investment which will move more trailers faster and more reliably on this key route.”

The two new vessels will replace the current ferries Riverdance and Moondance, which currently provide a twice-daily service carrying 55 units each per sailing and around 58,000 units annually. The new ferries will be purpose-built to be the maximum size for Heysham and Warrenpoint, and at 142 metres long will each carry in excess of 120 standard trailers. The vessels will have a service speed of 22 knots, reducing the current crossing time from nine hours to just 6.5 hours. This will permit a much later evening sailing time, with an earlier start for morning deliveries, and provide a greater reserve in case of bad weather.