By the way, when you say "several" of the Irish sea freighters have been sold to Stena, which do you mean? All I know of is the old European Ambassador, and P&O still operate her two sisters between Northern Ireland and Scotland (and so the Scottish business has not gone, it was less than a decade ago since new tonnage was ordered for the Larne-Cairnryan route, and P&O still have another freighter operating between Larne-Troon). The Leader/Pioneer/Seafarer were sold off to Stena, but that is a very small route anyway, which I can't see lasting very long with the age and capacity of the ships. The Norbank and Norbay were sent to Liverpool for the run to Dublin.
Before Stena Line carved up the 'P&O Empire' in 2004, P&O were a serious force on the Irish Sea.
Larne - Troon, Larne - Cairnryan, Larne Fleetwood, Dublin - Liverpool, Dublin - Mostryn, Dublin - Cherbourg, Rosslare - Cherbourg. Pretty mighty.
o) Troon still operates with the European Mariner
o) Cairnryan still has the European Highlander & Causeway
o) Fleetwood was sold off to Stena Line - vessels included
o) Liverpool services are shockingly declining fast, as Norfolkline offer superior passenger services and SeaTruck offer better freight services.
o) Mostryn again sold off to Stena and closed - vessels included
o) Cherbourg services again sold off to Stena and Celtic Link - vessels included.
The only beam of light appears to be Larne, as they own it.
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