06/02/2015

£5.7m Ferry Announced For Strangford

A new £5.7m ferry has been announced for the seaside town of Strangford in County Down.

Cammell Laird from Merseyside won the contract to supply the ferry, which runs regular crossings between Strangford and Portaferry, following open procurement.

The new ferry is due to be delivered by August 2016 and will have capacity for 28 cars and 260 passengers. It will share ferry operation on a rotational basis with the MV Portaferry II.

The Department for Regional Development said the new vessel would provide improved capacity and remove the need for a 7.5 tonne weight restriction that is currently in place when the MV Strangford is in service.

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: "The new ferry will replace the existing MV Strangford with a new modern ferry that has been designed specifically for this service.

"The new ferry will be built over the next 18 months and, when it comes into operation, will provide a more reliable and efficient ferry service.

"The new ferry will replace the existing MV Strangford which is over 40 years old and is approaching the end of its economically operational life."

(IT/JP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 January 2002
Minister launches new Strangford ferry
The new £2.7 million Strangford Lough ferry was officially named and launched by Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson on Tuesday January 8. Replacing the MV Strangford, the larger vehicle and passenger MV Portaferry II can hold up to 28 vehicles, eight more than its predecessor.
24 April 2009
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.
23 October 2001
Strangford ferry completes sea trials
The new £2.7 million Strangford Lough ferry – the MV Portaferry II – was formally handed over to the Department for Regional Development’s Roads Service on Tuesday October 23 by shipbuilders McTay Marine of Merseyside.
30 March 2006
Rathlin Ferry to begin early tourist season sailings
Visitors to Rathlin will be welcomed early this year as the new summer timetable for the island's ferry service will commence a month earlier than usual.
09 December 2016
New £5.7m Strangford Ferry Vessel Remains Tied Up
A new £5.7million Strangford Ferry vessel remains tied up as the ramps will not allow cars to drive off it. The vessel arrived in Strangford, Co Down, in the summer, however the ramps will have to be altered before it can be used.