Seatruck launched a direct service from Belfast to Heysham on 7 May using 1998-built sister vessels Arrow and Ranger, which previously ran into Larne. Later in the year, when the larger P class vessels are introduced, there will be a further switch of ports from Heysham to Liverpool.
In Belfast, Seatruck use the Albert Quay terminal, directly opposite the Titanic Quarter and where the 7,606gt Arrow carried out berthing trials back in March. Arrow and Ranger were part of a four-ship series from Spain’s Astilleros de Huelva for Estonian operator ESCO, and the remaining pair, also owned by Seatruck, are chartered to Northlink as Hildasay and Helliar.
Specialising in the carriage of unaccompanied trailers, Seatruck saw volumes double last year to more than 300,000 units, with 22 April bringing the Dublin-Heysham route debut of Seatruck Performance, the third of four 151-trailer vessels built in Flensburg, Germany, by FSG. Seatruck Precision is set to complete the newbuild programme when she entersservice in June.
