A £29 million catamaran for the Dublin-Holyhead route was launched by Irish Ferries in Australian waters on Saturday. The new vessel, Jonathan Swift, will begin service in early June.
The aluminium-built, twin-hulled vessel aims to complete the journey in one hour, 49 minutes. It will have capacity for 800 passengers and 200 cars.
The launch comes when competition between Irish Sea ferry companies linking Dublin to both Holyhead and Liverpool is on the increase. Merchant Ferries has announced twice-daily sailings to Liverpool, and Sea Containers introduces a new SeaCat in April.
On the 26-day voyage to Ireland, the new ferry will refuel at Singapore, Cochin, Djibouti, Suez, Malta and Gibraltar. It will be marketed under the twin names of Dublin Swift and Jonathan Swift.
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