#stenaoutofdunlaoghaire – Following the news that Stena has decided not to resume its Dun Laoghaire Harbour Seasonal Ferry Service. Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company Ltd (DLHC) is seeking expressions of Interest are now being sought by the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company from suitable providers to operate a seasonal ferry service on the Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead route. 

A ferry service has been running between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead for over 170 years (since 1835).  A small fast craft was introduced to the route in 1993 which was replaced by the world's largest fast craft, the HSS, in 1995. Stena Line, the operator of the ferry service, decided not to resume service on this route this week. As a result, a berth has become available in Dun Laoghaire for a new ferry service.

The full advert for the new operator is here

The new 27 acre port is one of the most modern port facilities in the UK and heralds the start of a new route between Scotland and Northern Ireland, which will be serviced by two new ships, Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII, the largest ferries ever to sail between the two countries.

(l-R) Minister for Regional Development Danny Kennedy, MLA, Dan Sten Olsson, Chairman of Stena Line and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond

The new ships will complete the crossing in 2 hours 15 minutes and will operate 12 scheduled sailings per day between Cairnryan and Belfast.

The opening of the new port brings Stena Line's recent investment in the service to a massive £200M, which also includes the opening in 2008 of the VT4 port in Belfast, and safeguards the ferry link between Scotland and Northern Ireland for the next generation.

Dan Sten Olsson, Chairman of Stena Line said: "Today is a historic day for the people of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The long term future of this important ferry link between both countries has been secured for future generations and I'm delighted that Stena Line has been able to play its part in maintaining a connection between both countries which goes back over 150 years.

"This investment represents one of the biggest financial route commitments ever made by Stena Line and I'm delighted that after years of planning and hard work the day has finally arrived when we can enjoy using one of the most modern port and terminal facilities in the UK. We have built a facility that will support and stimulate both leisure and freight markets and we are confident that this and the next generation will continue to see ferry travel as an important part of their travel plans."

I am confident that our leisure and freight customers will see that we have taken great care to meet their needs constructing a service and facilities around them and I look forward to the prospect of Cairnryan – Belfast becoming one of the leading ferry services on the Irish Sea."

Speaking at the opening First Minister Alex Salmond said:

"I am absolutely thrilled to be at the Loch Ryan port to open this hugely impressive and important new gateway to Scotland. It is exciting to see how this former brownfield site has been transformed into a 21st century ferry port in less than two years, safeguarding hundreds of jobs at the terminal and ensuring this historic ferry link continues for generations to come.

"As well as being the first of the projects from our Second National Planning Framework to be completed, the work here represents a major investment by Stena Line and is a demonstration of their commitment to Scotland. As passengers will see, the terminal facilities at Loch Ryan are first class, and will serve two outstanding refitted vessels that will reduce journey times and be more fuel efficient. These are exciting times for all those involved in Stena Line, and I extend my warmest congratulations to those that have brought this fantastic project to completion."

Addressing the audience at Loch Ryan today, Minister for Regional Development in Northern Ireland, Danny Kennedy MLA, said: "This significant investment by Stena Line in Loch Ryan complements the company's earlier investment in the modern facilities at the Port of Belfast, which handles 60% of Northern Ireland's seaborne trade.

"The link across the North Channel is of great economic, social and cultural importance to both countries. The recent major investments in harbour facilities in Scotland and Northern Ireland, culminating with the arrival of Stena Line's new ships on this route, will help strengthen this commercial link and its trading position."

Scheduled sailings from the new Loch Ryan Port began on Monday November 21st with 10 crossings per day which will increase to 12 sailings from December 5th.

The last Stena line ferry sailing from Dun Laoghaire featured on the RTE News headlines last night. The ferry link is stopping because of a decline in passenger numbers and the high cost of fuel, say the operators, Stena.

The report by John Kilraine, interviewed Harbour Boss Gerry Dunne who spoke about the master plan for the harbour, how the harbour company hoped that Stena could rebuild the route, the bid to attract cruise ships and the east coast port's future as a marine leisure centre.

The masterplan is to go through the planning processs piece by piece and harbour yacht clubs have concerns over aspects of the plan.

Last night's bulletin also reported the harbour company intends to open a 'sea water baths' in the harbour next year and a diaspora centre in 2013. The RTE report is here.

See also:

Plan is a Curate's Egg

A new masterplan to make Dun Laoghaire a port of call for the cruise liners of the future is on the cards, according to The Irish Times.

Gerry Dunne, chief executive of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, said Ireland's east coast is in need of a facility to cater for cruise ships of the size currently being built.

Plans would involve excavating the harbour to a depth of 9.5 metres and building longer berths to accommodate ships that will reach more than 300 metres in length

Dunne said Dun Laoghaire needed to think about its future as the harbour's "lucrative contract" with Stena for its high-speed ferry service is due to expire in April.

The plans are supported by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the local chamber of commerce. No details of costs or funding of the project have yet been made available. The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has issued an invitation to tender for a new floating berth for cruise liners despite being refused permission to continue development of the Carlisle Pier site.