The development of Irish Sea ferry services

Irish Sea ferry and container services have been the mainstay of most of th e ports of north-west Britain over the past 30 years. These services consti tute the main business for Holyhead, Fleetwood, Heysham, Cairnryan and Stra nraer. Troon and Mostyn have been added to that list during 2001. More cont ainers and trailers pass to Ireland through Liverpool than to any destinati on. Only the Manchester Ship Canal and Garston appear inactive in this mark et, although up to ten years ago both played a significant role. The Irish Sea freight market has been growing at an extraordinary rate over the last decade by an annual compound growth rate of 7-8%. In all of these circumsta nces, therefore, it is important to understand the dynamics which drive thi s trade if reliable forecasts are to be available to the port companies, th e highway authorities and the Strategic Rail Authority of the demands for n ew infrastructure in the regional ports industry, and in the road and rail network that supports it.