By
Rebecca Gibson |
Stena Line’s new ship, Superfast VII, has arrived in Loch Ryan Port, Cairnryan, ahead of the launch of a new route between Scotland and Northern Island, due to open on November 21.
The vessel, which will be joined by her sister ship, Superfast VIII, later this week, is to be home-ported at a purpose-built passenger and freight terminal, seven miles north of its current home in Stranraer.
Paul Grant, Stena Line Route Director said: “When we start our new route timetable on November 21, it will be from one of the most advanced ports in the UK. Loch Ryan Port is the culmination of years of planning by Stena Line and it will provide our customers with a world-class facility. But the new port is only half the story. We will also be introducing two of the largest ships ever to have sailed between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“Sister ships Superfast VII and Superfast VIII will complete the crossing in 2hrs 15mins with a level of comfort and range of facilities unrivalled on the Irish Sea,” he continued. “The new ships will even have their own Pure Nordic Spa which will include a Jacuzzi and sauna for use by Stena Plus customers. At 203 metres, the ships have the capacity to accommodate 1,200 passengers, 660 cars or 110 freight units and have been reconfigured to ensure that our leisure and freight customers have both been catered for.”
The developments are part of a £200m rolling investment programme, which also included the construction of a new Belfast Port and terminal facility opened in June 2008.
Stena Line’s new Cairnryan-Belfast route will have 10 scheduled sailings per day between Scotland and Northern Ireland at launch, rising to 12 from December 5.