Feature, Freight News, Logistics, Sea

Seatruck starts major ports reshuffle

[ April 25, 2012   //   Chris ]

Freight ferry operator Seatruck is to launch a service from Heysham to Belfast on 7 May, replacing its existing service from Heysham to Larne. The new Heysham – Belfast service will be opened by sister vessels “Arrow” and “Ranger”, which will be switched from their current duties into Larne.

Then, later this year Seatruck will deploy larger vessels on the Belfast route and move the service from Heysham to Liverpool, operating from its terminal on the City side of the Mersey. In Belfast, Seatruck will operate from the Albert Quay terminal – directly opposite the Titanic Quarter.

Seatruck’s unaccompanied trailer services – it is the only Irish Sea operator dedicated to this sector – volume rose by 58% last year, to over 300,000 units. It now has 20% of the Irish Sea market and expects further growth as their unaccompanied trailer model continues to gain ground.

Managing director, Irish Sea, Alistair Eagles, explained: “The decision to move from Larne to Belfast has been made in line with customer demand and will generate additional support for Seatruck. This is yet another exciting step in the Seatruck story and is a key part of our Irish Sea strategy for further development.”

P&O also recently discontinued its daily freight crossing between Larne and Troon, although Larne remains the terminal for that operator’s high-frequency shortsea route from Cairnryan.

Seatruck now offers over 70 sailings per week on Liverpool-Dublin, Heysham-Dublin, Heysham-Warrenpoint and the new Heysham-Belfast route.

Alistair Eagles adds: “We provide operators with real economies, as the unaccompanied trailer is the most cost-effective way to move goods. Driver-accompanied movements are much more expensive. Our solution also reduces road mileage. Heysham and Liverpool – our primary UK ports – are much closer to the origin and destination of goods, compared to traditional routings through Scotland and Wales.”

Seatruck also claims the youngest fleet on the Irish Sea and the most recent addition, “Seatruck Performance”, entered service recently on the Heysham-Dublin route. The final FSG vessel, “Seatruck Precision”, will be delivered in June and will also be deployed on the Irish Sea.

 

 

 

Tags: Logistics, Seatruck, Shipping