SEA Containers is to resurrect the Heysham-Belfast ferry route in anticipation of increased tourism to the Northern Irish capital.
The route, last used in 1975 by British Rail which owned Sealink at the time, is being revived because Sea Containers believes the political situation in Northern Ireland is improving.
A direct 4hr fast-ferry service using the Danmark SeaCat vessel will operate the route from March 31 until the end of September.
There will be two return trips between Belfast and the Lancashire port on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and one on each of the remaining days.
Sea Containers’ Irish Sea operations managing director Hamish Ross said: “We think the time and the circumstances are right to start this route again now because the situation in Northern Ireland is really improving. If things continue as they are and peace talks progress, there is going to be a boom in inward tourism there.”
He added that Heysham was well positioned to serve tourists entering England from Belfast.
“Heysham has good rail links to Blackpool, Morecambe and the Lake District, which are all areas people like to visit.”
The Danmark has a capacity of 500 passengers and 81 cars. The operator expects to carry around 30,000 cars and 130,000 passengers in the March to September season.
Sea Containers already runs a route between Liverpool and Dublin and says the success of the line encouraged it to start up the Heysham-Belfast route.
The company, which owns the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, has also announced it will start its Isle of Man-Belfast route early this year.