High speed ferry services between Ireland and Britain have been slowed by 16 minutes to save fuel, it has been revealed.
Soaring oil prices have been blamed for Stenaline’s decision, which increases the crossing time between Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin and Holyhead, Wales.
Journeys between Larne, Co Antrim and Stranraer have been extended by 14 minutes to cut costs, a company spokesman confirmed.
“In the current circumstances most passengers realise just as they are making difficult choices, we have to (as well),” he said. “Compared to the conventional ferry it is a lot faster and we provide a quality of service and people come back because of that quality.”
The crossing to Dun Laoghaire now takes 115 minutes and Stranraer 119.
Stenaline recently opened a new terminal in Belfast which will shorten the distance covered, although the slower speeds means it will have little impact.
Managers have introduced a £10 fuel surcharge for vehicles and £2 for pedestrians.
Stenaline’s Voyager boat is part of a service which links Stranraer and Belfast eight times a day. The Explorer in Dun Laoghaire contributes to a four times a day crossing with Holyhead in North Wales.
Huge increases in petrol prices could lead put-upon motorists to vote the Government out, a survey claims. Two-thirds of 18,500 AA members said they would vote for a different government should fuel prices rise to between 125p and 149p a litre.
This comes when average diesel prices are past the 125p mark.
Almost half (49 per cent) believed the Government was most responsible.
And when asked who was benefiting most from the high prices, 55 per cent said the Government, compared with 30 per cent who said the oil companies and only 13 per cent who said the oil-producing countries.
