The Port of Larne, as the best equipped and most efficient RoRo port on the Irish Sea, is the number one choice with commercial and tourist traffic who require quality, efficiency, cost and reliability of service.
Renowned as Ireland’s premier ferry port, Larne currently handles some 300,000 freight units, 200,000 tourist vehicles and 750,000 passengers every year. The port operates a 24-hour, seven-day week service with up to 38 ferry arrivals and departures daily on routes to Ardrossan, Cairnryan and Fleetwood. The Port’s market share of freight traffic has been steadily increasing demonstrating the commercial customer’s preference for Larne. This is borne out by the reintroduction of a Larne-Stranraer service in September 2000 which will boost the number of daily sailings to 48 and add at least 90,000 commercial vehicles, 25,000 cars and 80,000 passengers a year to the port’s throughput. In an extremely competitive and time conscious market shorter sea crossings and the consequent savings in time and costs, backed by modern facilities and short turn round times, make the Port of Larne the ideal place to do business. The Port’s reputation for reliability, efficiency and quality of service is attributed to a simple philosophy of listening to customers and providing facilities, often in advance of demand, to meet their expectations. Tourism and commercial traffic demand shorter and faster sea crossings with the minimum of delays in port handling and the Port of Larne continues to lead the way in developing top class facilities and maintain its lead as Ireland’s premier RoRo ferry port. However, these developments must be complemented by the surrounding infrastructure . The port welcomes the allocation of £10million to improve the A8 Larne-Belfast road, and hopes that works can commence in 2001. Unless the urgent major improvements are expedited people experiencing delays and frustrations will be more likely to look elsewhere and vote with their wheels PIONEERING PORT Always the innovator, the Port of Larne was chosen by the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company to pioneer in 1948 a RoRo freight service to Preston –the first of its kind in the world – and in 1978 it was also the first port in Ireland to provide twin-level ramps to enable double-decked vessels to load and discharge both decks simultaneously. A modern spacious passenger terminal features ferry reservations offices, shop, cafeteria, ‘hole-in-wall’ banking and car hire. Special facilities are provided for disabled persons and nursing mothers and there is ample space to ‘meet and greet.’ Free parking is available adjacent to the building and there is direct access for coach and rail travellers. Commercial drivers are well catered for in a special lounge complete with TV, pool table, showers and toilets. Although best known as Ireland’s most modern RoRo port, Larne also provides an excellent Lift-on/Lift-off service for a wide range of bulk and general cargoes including rock armour, stone aggregate, concrete, steel, fertiliser, building and forest products. Container handling facilities are also available including a 34-tonne mobile top lifter. GROWING DEMAND Recognising a growing demand for high quality storage, the Port of Larne established a £2million Distribution Centre in 1996. In 1999, due to increasing demand, a £2.2 million extension was opened trebling the capacity for high quality frozen, chilled and ambient storage. The centre, the first part of which was generously assisted by the European Regional Development Fund, offers a complete range of services including next-day delivery, break bulk and order picking from stock and handles everything from jeans to beans, being used by more than 30 leading UK and Irish companies. It is also proving to be most beneficial to small and medium sized enterprises wishing to aggregate loads for export. Ireland, both North and South, has large food and agricultural industries with immense potential to expand and, in Northern Ireland, there is an ever growing interest in inward investment as many national retailers open and develop outlets. PRIME DEVELOPMENT Redlands Estate is a 70-acre prime development site adjacent to the dual-carriageway at the main entrance to the port and bounded by the Larne-Belfast railway line linking into the all-Ireland rail network. With the additional energy option of natural gas now available the site’s potential is even more enhanced as the ideal location to establish commercial, industrial or tourist related activities. In addition to the Distribution Centre, others already firmly established on the Estate include P&O Ferrymasters; the internationally known fast-food chain, KFC; Department of Agriculture, Fry Transport and the port’s one-stop Freight Centre. The Port of Larne, as the best-equipped and most efficient RoRo port on the Irish Sea, is ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the next millenium and – exporting or importing – is the ideal place to do business.
For Further information, contact Sharon Toner, 028 2887 2182 or 07799 718987