Irish Ferries is to increase its capacity and frequency on the Dublin to Holyhead route through the introduction of a third ship in December 2013.
Currently, the ferry company operates eight sailings per day on the key Irish Sea route using its flagship Ulysses and the high-speed craft Jonathan Swift.
Irish Ferries has chartered the Epsilon (built in 2011) to supplement its existing Ireland to Britain services. The ship will provide two additional departures per day in each direction that will result in an increase in the company’s schedule to a maximum of 12 sailings between Dublin and Holyhead each day. The recently built vessel will provide significant vehicle capacity along with modern facilities on board, including cabins, bar/cafeteria and self-service restaurant.
Targeting the growing freight and tourism markets, the Epsilon will further improve Irish Ferries’ range of offers to its customers on the Irish Sea. In addition to the improved frequency on its Dublin to Holyhead route, the chartered vessel will also provide opportunities for improved annual dry-dock cover within the company’s fleet along with scope for increased capacity on other Irish Ferries’ Irish Sea and Ireland to France services.
Tony Kelly, Marketing Director, said: “Irish Ferries decision to invest in additional capacity at this time is a major vote of confidence by the Republic of Ireland’s leading ferry operator in the recovery of the country’s economy. We believe that Ireland has turned the corner and we are prepared to invest in the provision of improved services for our valued freight and tourism customers who have shown fantastic loyalty throughout the last five difficult years.”
