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New Ship Arriving

A BRAND NEW £36m SHIP will soon be arriving in Cairnryan to operate the North Channel route.

European Highlander, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, received a warm send-off on 1st June as she set sail from Japan on her homeward journey to Cairnryan.

Under the command of Captain Jim McMullan, she will arrive in Cairnryan on 27th June and following berthing trials in Cairnryan and Larne, will make her first commercial sailing on 1st July.

Graham McCullough, general manager Lochryan routes, said

"Reliability is a key issue within this industry and while we cannot control the weather, we can provide ships which respond positively to all the weather conditions. European Causeway has established her self as the most reliable ferry operating between Ireland and Scotland and we are confident that European Highlander will quickly gain a similar reputation".

Like her sister ship, European Highlander will make the crossing in 105 minutes and match her capacity of up to 410 passengers, 375 cars and/or 116 commercial vehicles and will offer twin-deck, drive through bow and stern loading.

Facilities on board the new ship will be similar to European Causeway and will include the very popular Fables Restaurant and Poets' Bar, as well as a video lounge, quiet lounge, children's video area, games area and shop. An exclusive area for commercial drivers will include a separate restaurant, lounge and shower facilities.