The new service will compliment the existing Seatruck services Warrenpoint – Heysham and Dublin – Liverpool, adding a new link for customers serving the Northern and Central regions of Northern Ireland.

Initiating the service will be the 65 unit Clipper Ranger offering 12 sailings per week with overnight 23:00 hrs departures from Heysham and daytime 11:00 hrs departures from Larne. The Clipper Ranger has already undertaken successful ramp trials in Larne and is a vessel with a proven track record on the Irish Sea. After the initial build up phase it is planned to introduce a second sister vessel which will then enable am and pm departures in both directions.

The first sailing for the new service is expected to depart on Monday 17 May from Heysham.

Seatruck Managing Director Alistair Eagles comments;
 
"Seatruck continues to grow and it is clear that our independent freight only model is winning more and more support. Both the Warrenpoint and Dublin services have seen solid increases in traffic levels over the last 6 months since the full introduction of our new larger tonnage. In seeking new opportunities we are aware that although the Warrenpoint and Dublin routes provide an ideal solution for many of our customers the geography does not suit them all. Sometimes this is related to where the customer is based, sometimes on the origin / destination of the traffic and often on a combination of the two.´

By offering a new service from Heysham, Seatruck believes that it will further enhance the ‘hub’ effect of this key drop trailer Port. By arriving in Larne the Seatruck model will be available to traffic flows that previously were unable to take full advantage of our service.

The current Seatruck fleet of 8 ro/ro’s will be supplemented with 4 more new vessels in 2012 from our German new building project".