The owner of Irish Ferries has taken delivery of what it claims will be the largest and fastest passenger ferry on the Irish Sea.
Irish Continental Group confirmed that the 2,080-passenger vessel would enter service on the Pembroke-Rosslare route in early June.
The vessel, built in 2007, is being chartered for 20 months from Estonian shipping company Tallink Group.
Irish Continental has the possibilty to extend the charter under an agreement which includes a purchase option.
To be named Oscar Wilde, the ferry has 134 cabins, a 17,000 square foot duty-free shopping area and more than 2,380 lane meters for cars, coaches and lorries.
Oscar Wilde will replace chartered vessel Blue Star 1 for the summer to run Pembroke-Rosslare crossings.
Irish Continental said: “The Oscar Wilde will be the largest and fastest passenger cruise ferry on the Irish Sea with an impressive capacity of over 2,080 passengers, 134 cabins, and ample space with over 2,380 lane meters for cars, coaches, and freight vehicles and a service speed of up to 27 knots.
“With the largest duty-free shopping space for any cruise ferry on the Irish Sea of more than 17,000 square feet, it will be an ideal shopping destination for those travelling between Ireland and Britain.”
The deployment was confirmed as the company reported a 5.9% rise in car carryings by Irish Ferries to 129,600 in the year to May 6.
Overall group revenue in the period edged up by 1.4% year-on-year to was €163.4 million.
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