| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Fate | 1990 |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Products | Passenger transportation Freight transportation |
| Parent | 1982-1987: Irish Shipping Ltd 1987-1990: Irish Continental Group |
Belfast Car Ferries was an Irish Sea ferry company that operated a passenger and freight roll-on/roll-off service between Northern Ireland and England.
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Belfast Car Ferries was formed in 1982 following P&O Ferries withdrawal from the Liverpool - Belfast route in November 1981.[1] Sailings commenced in May 1982[2] using the Saint Colum I. The vessel sailed every night from Belfast, returning during the day from Liverpool. The crossing time was 9 hours.
On 14th November 1984 the Irish Government placed parent company Irish Shipping Ltd into liquidation.[3] In March 1987 Irish Shipping Ltd was sold to a consortium of investors and restructured as Irish Continental Group.[4]
Belfast Car Ferries continued operations until October 1990. The Saint Colum I quickly found a new Greek owner and entered service in the Adriatic Sea.
In 1991 the Liverpool - Belfast link was reopened by Norse Irish Ferries.
Belfast Car Ferries operated the following route across the Irish Sea
During its eight years of operation the Belfast - Liverpool route was operated mainly by the Saint Colum I. Several vessels, including the Saint Patrick II, Saint Killian II and Gotland were chartered to cover for the Saint Colum I during overhaul.