Under the agreement between the two ferry operators, which took effect last month Seatruck will continue the charter of the 'Celtic Star'. This vessel will continue to operate on the Dublin-Liverpool route. Celtic Star has a capacity of 30,000 units per year. A much needed second vessel will be added to the Dublin – Liverpool route this year.

The intended introduction of the Seatruck newbuilding Clipper Point, scheduled for next month, will then free the 'Challenge', one of the three vessels currently operating on this route, to switch to Dublin-Liverpool, partnering Celtic Star. This will increase Dublin-Liverpool capacity to 65,000 units yearly. There will be a further and very substantial increase in capacity in the first and second quarters of 2008, when the next three newbuildings in the new Class, each with capacity for 120 unaccompanied units, will be added to the routes.

The four sister ships Clipper Point, Clipper Pace, Clipper Pennant and Clipper Panorama are the only purpose built freight only vessels for Irish Sea service to be introduced over the past 20 years. With a service speed of 22 knots, they will cut crossing times on both routes from nine hours to seven hours.

The increase in capacity on the Warrenpoint-Heysham route from 90,000 units per year to 135,000 units will occur on the arrival of the Clipper Point, which will join the two existing Seatruck vessels, the Moondance and Riverdance. Clipper Point will operate the overnight departure from Heysham, with Moondance and Riverdance operating two morning sailings from Heysham and two afternoon departures from Warrenpoint.

Alistair Eagles, Seatruck’s commercial director said, 'Seatruck remains the only Irish Sea operator 100% dedicated to freight. Our strategy for the future is founded on the firm view that too much Irish Sea freight, currently well over 40%, moves on a driver accompanied basis. The addition of the Dublin-Liverpool route and our large and fast new vessels will bring new levels of service reliability and capacity to the unaccompanied sector. Increasingly, our clients recognise the major cost benefits of switching to unaccompanied movements.'