Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

[ferryfan]

The Ben-my-Chree has made an "trial sailing" to Larne making the crossing in just over 5 hours,
press release from iomspco
https://www.steam-packet.com/news/ben-my-chree-will-undertake-a-trial-sailing-to-larne

[ferryfan]

IOMSPCO announce new enhanced services with new year round services to Ireland using the Ben my Chree
which explains her recent visit to Larne
full story here
https://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/new-ireland-ferry-services-announced-with-ben-my-chree-set-for-a-refurb-853713?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1763657352

[Lurker]

If you are anxious for people to use the service and warn them about 'use it or lose it' why on earth would you choose to sail to Larne if you wanted more traffic to/from Ireland? Is there no spare capacity in Warrenpoint? If tourist traffic is part of the rationale for the route, I imagine many visitors to Ireland would appreciate giving north Antrim a miss...

[20knots]

Warrenpoint would be a much shorter run to the Isle of Man as would be Drogheda.

For foot passengers Warrenpoint has a reasonable bus service to/from Newry. Whether Translink/Ulsterbus would consider additional buses if there were sailings very late/early is another matter. Nothing was put on for Waverley's sailings last year despite significant numbers of passengers.

Larne has the benefit of a rail service right into the terminal something which is a rarity these days despite the talk of green corridors etc...

[Steam Packet]

Larne has Road & Rail Links. Is an established Passenger Port, with all the facilities expected. Drogheda & Warrenpoint do not.

If you want to travel further South, Sail to Dublin on Thursday or Sunday.

[IFPete]

Good to see extra sailings to Ireland

[Lurker]

Larne has Road & Rail Links. Is an established Passenger Port, with all the facilities expected. Drogheda & Warrenpoint do not.

If you want to travel further South, Sail to Dublin on Thursday or Sunday.

In the end of the day I can't imagine extensive passenger facilities will affect viability that much and I don't think rail will be a big deal either. Route will live and die on moving trucks and cars. If they were really keen to attract foot traffic a minibus connection to Newry train station will do the trick. Only rationale for the route to Larne I see is around the TT; that's not exactly going to support a year round or even summer route...

[Steam Packet]

Larne has Road & Rail Links. Is an established Passenger Port, with all the facilities expected. Drogheda & Warrenpoint do not.

If you want to travel further South, Sail to Dublin on Thursday or Sunday.

In the end of the day I can't imagine extensive passenger facilities will affect viability that much and I don't think rail will be a big deal either. Route will live and die on moving trucks and cars. If they were really keen to attract foot traffic a minibus connection to Newry train station will do the trick. Only rationale for the route to Larne I see is around the TT; that's not exactly going to support a year round or even summer route...

The original post was focused on why a Passenger would use it.

For Freight, those same Road Links are available. RORO Freight Infrastructure is in place at the Port Of Larne.

Existing Passenger Facilities means less Capital Costs to Start.

[Alan.G]

Larne has Road & Rail Links. Is an established Passenger Port, with all the facilities expected. Drogheda & Warrenpoint do not.

If you want to travel further South, Sail to Dublin on Thursday or Sunday.

In the end of the day I can't imagine extensive passenger facilities will affect viability that much and I don't think rail will be a big deal either. Route will live and die on moving trucks and cars. If they were really keen to attract foot traffic a minibus connection to Newry train station will do the trick. Only rationale for the route to Larne I see is around the TT; that's not exactly going to support a year round or even summer route...

The original post was focused on why a Passenger would use it.

For Freight, those same Road Links are available. RORO Freight Infrastructure is in place at the Port Of Larne.

Existing Passenger Facilities means less Capital Costs to Start.

SP have existing facilities in Belfast that they are no longer serving after Jan 26, presumably utilising Larne alongside P&O is a cheaper option than maintaining their terminal in Belfast.

[scomac]

SP have existing facilities in Belfast that they are no longer serving after Jan 26, presumably utilising Larne alongside P&O is a cheaper option than maintaining their terminal in Belfast.

The Albert Quay terminal at Belfast Harbour is earmarked for redevelopment, hence the Steam Packet would be unable to use it anyway.