EXPORT & FREIGHT > Shipping News

Linkspan sails into place at new Terminal

The arrival of Stena Line’s new linkspan in Belfast marks an important point in the construction of the ferry company’s new £35 million terminal, which will cut journey times and bring Scotland closer for those travelling in and out of Belfast.

The Mark 2 design linkspan was carefully escorted up Belfast Lough from the North Sea and will eventually be placed in position at the new Stena Line terminal which is being built on reclaimed land at Westbank Road. It will allow the Stena HSS to dock and will ensure that the changeover from Stena Line’s existing terminal, pencilled in for this summer, is seamless.

Stena Line Freight Commercial Manager Frank Nieuwenhuys told Export & Freight:“This is a strategically important route which has proven itself to be of real benefit to the logistics industry. The facilities will allow Stena Line to continue to improve and expand its existing timetable while ensuring the punctuality which is so important to the business of our customers.”

He added: “The Irish Sea is a key part of Stena Line’s international business and also one of our strongest growing markets. Our strategy of a rolling investment programme, which has included £150 million in this route alone over the last ten years, has been matched by our commitment to customer service and I feel that this exciting development will only serve to further enhance our offering in this market.”

Reflecting on the challenge of transporting the link span from Holland to Belfast, Frank said: “The challenge faced by marine engineers was a formidable one. The removal of this single piece link span which weighs 950 tonnes was a major feat in engineering which involved a complex system of jacks and rigs to lift the link span on to a specially prepared pontoon for transportation to Belfast.

“The journey, from Hoek van Holland to Harwich where a second link span was removed and loaded was nearly 800 miles across some of the most treacherous seas. In Belfast the two link spans and pontoons were discharged from the barge using the massive gantry crane at the famous Harland & Wolff Shipyard.”