Stena Line Terminal Makes A Splash

With the Port of Belfast investing £10 million to extend its main cruise liner berth by 250 metres this year - enhancing access for cruise vessels by creating the longest deep-water berth in Ireland - the news that a new ferry terminal at Belfast, designed to cut sailing times to and from Scotland, is now open is welcome news.

Ferry company, Stena Line has now abandoned its existing terminal, at the city centre periphery, and moved two miles along Belfast Lough.

The new three-storey £37m Victoria Terminal 4 (VT4) has been built on reclaimed land at the edge of Belfast Port.

Operations switched last night, and the first sailing from VT4 was the 7.35am HSS Stena Voyager on Wednesday.

The new terminal is also part of a £60m investment on the route, which will result in Stena Line leaving its long-established home in Stranraer and move in with P&O Irish Sea Ferries six miles up Lough Ryan at an expanded Cairnryan port.

Stena Line estimates both these changes will result in a 30% reduction in journey times, enabling a 75-minute crossing.

Michael McGrath, Stena Line Irish Sea area director, said: "With VT4 now being the first impression of Northern Ireland for people travelling in from Scotland and the last thing they see as they sail out, it is fitting that it is one of the most modern terminals in the UK."

The new facility is of 25,000 sq ft and was built on reclaimed land at the seaward end of the harbour - accessible from the Fortwilliam junction of the M2.