£17m funding injection will help Larne Port sustain position as vital strategic route

The Chair of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Borough Growth Committee, Cllr Gregg McKeen, has welcomed the announcement that ports, including Larne, are to benefit from an injection of £17million to help keep ferries operational during the Coronavirus crisis.

Infrastructure Minister, Nicholla Mallon, said the funding package, which is a joint initiative between the Northern Ireland Executive and the Department for Transport, will ensure supply routes which Northern Ireland relies on for food, medicines and other essential supplies, continue without any interruption during this period.

Cllr McKeen said: “This is fantastic and very welcome news for the entire ferry industry, particularly in Mid and East Antrim.

“The Port of Larne is strategically vital to the economic sustainability of the borough and beyond.

“As a key supply route for the transportation of vital supplies to shops and supermarkets here, Larne has long been recognised as the gateway to Northern Ireland.

“I am delighted to learn that this £17million financial support will be used to help Stena Line, P&O and Seatruck maintain five key routes, of which Larne to Cairnryan is one.

“The Coronavirus crisis has posed new challenges for all of our services including our ferries, and it is welcome news that we are seeing this much needed government intervention to secure and maintain operations.”