Irish Ferries has announced the addition of a third ro-ro ferry to its Dover to Calais route as Afloat reported last week.
The ship is expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2022, joining the Isle of Inishmore and the recently announced Isle of Innisfree.
The secondhand tonnage, Ciudad de Mahon, to be renamed in the coming weeks, was built in 2000 by the by Astilleros Espanoles S.A. (AESA) shipyard in Spain and originally delivered as Northern Merchant. As Afloat also previously alluded, the ropax is no stranger to the short straits, having originally operated on the Dover - Dunkirk route following delivery.
The ferry has the capacity to carry up to 589 passengers and over 90 freight vehicles. Facilities for freight drivers/passengers involve a self-service restaurant, café/bar, onboard duty-free shop and spacious outdoor decks.
Andrew Sheen, Irish Ferries Managing Director, said: “The addition of a third vessel on our Dover / Calais route will allow us to offer a departure from either Dover or Calais every 90 minutes. This is a further sign of our commitment to this route and will offer customers even greater choice along with the capacity, frequency and reliability that is required to service this important route between GB and France”.
Perhaps, Afloat adds that this third ferry to the UK-France route will be renamed Isle of Inishturk? (originally B+I Line's Leinster) which served briefly under this name when operating Rosslare-Pembroke.
