#DublinPort - On the same day of W.B. Yeats maiden delivery voyage to its Irish homeport of Dublin Port today, having docked first at the main ferry terminal, the 54,000 tonnes newbuild by mid-afternoon shifted berths, writes Jehan Ashmore

The 1,800 passenger/1,200 vehicle W.B. Yeats custom built for ICG's division, Irish Ferries, to serve primarily the Dublin-Cherbourg route from mid-March 2019, shifted berth to vacate for fleetmate flagship, Ulysses. This is to facilitate the slightly smaller, 50,000 tonnes fleetmate which is due this evening (17.25) to make a routine inbound crossing from Holyhead, Wales.

W.B. Yeats built by German shipyard FSG at a contract cost of €144m, arrived mid-morning docking at Dublin Port at Berth 49, located at the port's main ferryport at Terminal 1. However, a change of berth took place upriver to Terminal 3, close to the Tom Clarke (East-Link) road toll lift-bridge.

This terminal is where P&O Ferries are based, see related photo story on plans by the Government to buy land in ports in the event of a hard Brexit.

The 194m long vessel which is Cypriot flagged, is to remain close to the East Link, while alongside the North Wall Quay Extension for at least the next week, given the festive period.

It is understood that a departure is set for the day after St. Stephen's Day.

No doubt further crew training will be underway, in advance to whatever are the requirements of the operator.