| Belfast Car Ferries Ltd | |
| Type: | Private |
| Foundation: | 1982 |
| Defunct: | 1990 |
| Location: | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Products: | Passenger transportation Freight transportation |
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.
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 14 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.