Menu
18/07/2001
LAUNCH OF BELFAST FERRY SERVICE DELAYED
THE launch date for a new catamaran-ferry service around Belfast Lough scheduled to be up and running this summer has been pushed back to late September.
The two state-of-the-art high-speed catamarans specially designed for the ferry service have been completed in Queensland but are unable to begin their voyage to Belfast. The vessels have been loaded on container ships in Cairn but bad weather plaguing the South Pacific has delayed their six-week journey and set the whole process back.
Australian Roy Bendall, project manager for the new service said that he was disappointed that they have fallen behind in schedule but that it gave them more time to complete the berthing locations.
Thanks to a £4 million Australian investment the new service, called Loughlink, will connect major population centres in Bangor and Carrickfergus with central Belfast.
Roy Bendall, project manager for the new service said Belfast Lough is ideally suited for this sort of operation.
“The whole emphasis of Loughlink will be on comfort, speed and convenience and we’re aiming to entice commuters off the busy roads and on to the Lough for daily travel that allows them to sit back and enjoy the experience.”
Each ferry can carry 120 passengers and estimated journey times from both Bangor and Carrickfergus are expected to take about 25 minutes.
The Belfast ferry terminal will be at Donegal Quay in Laganside, just a few blocks from the city centre and will initially create 35 jobs in Belfast.
The ferry service is also hoping to target the leisure market with off peak cruising, attract private hire and provide a service to and from the Odyssey, Belfast’s new indoor 10,000-seat arena and entertainment centre. (AMcE)
The two state-of-the-art high-speed catamarans specially designed for the ferry service have been completed in Queensland but are unable to begin their voyage to Belfast. The vessels have been loaded on container ships in Cairn but bad weather plaguing the South Pacific has delayed their six-week journey and set the whole process back.
Australian Roy Bendall, project manager for the new service said that he was disappointed that they have fallen behind in schedule but that it gave them more time to complete the berthing locations.
Thanks to a £4 million Australian investment the new service, called Loughlink, will connect major population centres in Bangor and Carrickfergus with central Belfast.
Roy Bendall, project manager for the new service said Belfast Lough is ideally suited for this sort of operation.
“The whole emphasis of Loughlink will be on comfort, speed and convenience and we’re aiming to entice commuters off the busy roads and on to the Lough for daily travel that allows them to sit back and enjoy the experience.”
Each ferry can carry 120 passengers and estimated journey times from both Bangor and Carrickfergus are expected to take about 25 minutes.
The Belfast ferry terminal will be at Donegal Quay in Laganside, just a few blocks from the city centre and will initially create 35 jobs in Belfast.
The ferry service is also hoping to target the leisure market with off peak cruising, attract private hire and provide a service to and from the Odyssey, Belfast’s new indoor 10,000-seat arena and entertainment centre. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 September 2013
Minister Warns Of Dangers Of Privatising The Postal Service
SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie MP has warned of the dangers of privatising the postal service and spoken in favour of retaining post offices in rural areas. Speaking ahead of a debate in the House of Commons today, which she will participate in.
Minister Warns Of Dangers Of Privatising The Postal Service
SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie MP has warned of the dangers of privatising the postal service and spoken in favour of retaining post offices in rural areas. Speaking ahead of a debate in the House of Commons today, which she will participate in.
24 April 2009
SF Issues SOS For Sinking Ferry Service
As a scenic cross border transport link remains in jeopardy, a Coleraine Sinn Féin councillor has urged NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to take action to save the ferry. Billy Leonard wants the DUP Minister to play her part along with other Stormont Executive colleagues to save the Magilligan ferry service to Greencastle.
SF Issues SOS For Sinking Ferry Service
As a scenic cross border transport link remains in jeopardy, a Coleraine Sinn Féin councillor has urged NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to take action to save the ferry. Billy Leonard wants the DUP Minister to play her part along with other Stormont Executive colleagues to save the Magilligan ferry service to Greencastle.
29 September 2022
GLL Create 75 New Jobs In Belfast
The social enterprise behind Belfast's Better leisure centres has created over 70 jobs in the city through the establishment of a UK wide Customer Service Centre in Belfast.
GLL Create 75 New Jobs In Belfast
The social enterprise behind Belfast's Better leisure centres has created over 70 jobs in the city through the establishment of a UK wide Customer Service Centre in Belfast.
30 January 2002
Ballycastle-Campbeltown ferry route re-opened to tender
The Ballycastle-Campbeltown ferry service, which closed down in July 2000, will be opened again to tenders from private companies. In a joint initiative by the Scottish Office, Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Executive, the service will now be out to tenders for a contract to run the service for up to five years.
Ballycastle-Campbeltown ferry route re-opened to tender
The Ballycastle-Campbeltown ferry service, which closed down in July 2000, will be opened again to tenders from private companies. In a joint initiative by the Scottish Office, Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Executive, the service will now be out to tenders for a contract to run the service for up to five years.
06 February 2015
Cammel Laird To Build £5.7m Ferry
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the award of a contract for the construction of a new £5.7m ferry for Strangford. The contract has been awarded to Cammell Laird from Merseyside after an open procurement exercise which had attracted interest from shipyards across Europe. The new ferry is due to be delivered by August 2016.
Cammel Laird To Build £5.7m Ferry
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the award of a contract for the construction of a new £5.7m ferry for Strangford. The contract has been awarded to Cammell Laird from Merseyside after an open procurement exercise which had attracted interest from shipyards across Europe. The new ferry is due to be delivered by August 2016.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
