Irish Ferries’ parent company, Irish Continental Group has signed an agreement with German shipbuilder Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft to construct a new cruise ferry costing EUR 144 million (USD 161 million).
The cruise ferry will be able to accommodate 1,885 passengers and crew, with a car deck having capacity for 300 passenger cars.
In addition, the vessel will have 435 cabins and capacity for 165 freight vehicles.
Featuring 50,000 gross tons, the cruise ferry will be powered by four main engines delivering 33,600 KW of power.
The new ferry is scheduled for delivery in May 2018, according to Irish Ferries.
The company said that the cruise ferry would be introduced on routes served by the chartered ship MV Epsilon that operates between Dublin, Holyhead and Cherbourg.
“This investment underpins the confidence the group has in both the freight and passenger tourism markets between Ireland, Britain and France,” Eamonn Rothwell, Chief Executive Officer , said.