Belfast Car Ferries Ltd
TypePrivate
Founded1982
Defunct1990
HeadquartersBelfast, Northern Ireland
ProductsPassenger transportation
Freight transportation
Parent1982-1987: Irish Shipping Ltd
1987-1990: Irish Continental Group
Saint Colum I at Belfast

Belfast Car Ferries was an Irish Sea ferry company that operated a passenger and freight roll-on/roll-off service between Northern Ireland and England.

History

Belfast Car Ferries was formed in 1982 following P&O Ferries' withdrawal from the Liverpool–Belfast route in November 1981.[1] Sailings commenced in May 1982[2] using the Saint Colum I. The vessel sailed every night from Belfast, returning during the day from Liverpool. The crossing time was 9 hours.

On 14 November 1984 the Irish Government placed parent company Irish Shipping Ltd into liquidation.[3] In March 1987 Irish Shipping Ltd was sold to a consortium of investors and restructured as Irish Continental Group.[4]

Belfast Car Ferries continued operations until October 1990. The Saint Colum I quickly found a new Greek owner and entered service in the Adriatic Sea.

In 1991 the Liverpool – Belfast link was reopened by Norse Irish Ferries.

Routes

Belfast Car Ferries operated the following route across the Irish Sea

Fleet

During its eight years of operation the Belfast – Liverpool route was operated mainly by the Saint Colum I. Several vessels, including the Saint Patrick II, Saint Killian II and Gotland were chartered to cover for the Saint Colum I during overhaul.

References

  1. ↑ "P&O Irish Sea Ferries – History". Poirishsea.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
  2. ↑ "Irish Ferries". Irish Ferries Enthusiasts. Archived from the original on 12 March 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
  3. ↑ "Recalling Irish Shipping liquidation". The Irish Times. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "Irish Ferries". Irish Ferries Enthusiasts. Archived from the original on 12 March 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
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