IRISH FERRIES has ordered a new ‘super cruise’ ferry for its Dublin to Holyhead route and it will be the largest of its kind worldwide from 2020.
The €165.2m (£146.6m) ship will accommodate 1,800 passengers and crew as well as 1,500 cars, 330 freight trucks and capacity for 5,610 freight lane metres.
At 67,300 tonnes, the as-yet-unnamed vessel will be the largest cruise ferry in the world in terms of capacity from its scheduled delivery before June 2020.
It will be one of two “super cruise” ships operating the 3hr 15min journey between the Irish capital and Holyhead.
Irish Continental Group (ICG) – who own Irish Ferries – has agreed the €165.2m deal with German company Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesselschaft & Co to construct the ferry.
Eamonn Rothwell, Chief Executive Officer of ICG, said the new ship “underpins the confidence” they have in their markets – which include crossings to France as well as between Ireland and Wales.
"The construction of a cruise ferry of this size offers both additional capacity and an enhanced experience for both our tourism and freight customers," he added.
"This infrastructural investment enhances ‘the bridge’ to the UK and Continental Europe that is a vital part of the continued success of Ireland's open economy."
Overall, the new ferry will bring a 50 percent increase in peak freight capacity compared to the MV Ulysses – the ship it will replace.
Here’s the new ship in numbers:
| Cruise Ferry Details | Ulysses | |
| Gross tonnage | (estimated) 67,300t | 50,938t |
| Deck capacity Trucks (maximum) Trucks (effective peak capacity) or Cars (maximum) |
330
1,500 |
241 200 1,342 |
| Passenger Capacity | 1,800 | 1,850 |
| Passenger Cabins | 152 | 96 |
| Engine/output (4 engines) | 33,600 KW | 31,200 KW |
| Speed | 22.8 knots | 22.0 knots |
