---

High-speed ferries between Ireland and Britain have been slowed by 14 to 16 minutes in order to save on bunker costs as the price of marine fuel continues to surge.

Ferry operator Stena Line, has announced that the crossing time between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead will rise from 99 minutes to 115 minutes, whilst the trip from Belfast to Stranraer will now take up to 14 minutes longer having previously taken approximately 105 minutes.

The reduction in speed of the High-speed Sea Service (HSS) ferries will reduce fuel consumption by approximately 8 per cent.

Speaking about the decision, a company spokesperson said "In the current circumstances most passengers realise that, just as they are making some difficult choices, ourselves who operate in the transport sector have to as well."

Stena's Irish Sea director, Michael McGrath, is reported to have hinted that the high price of marine fuel could lead to the withdrawal of the HSS ferries. Stena currently has four catamaran HSS ferries. The HSS 1500 are the largest "fastcraft" in the world, with an in-service speed of 40 knots (75 km/h). They were were designed in the 1980's when bunker fuel was a fraction of current levels and built to operate until at least 2020.

The HSS 1500 Stena Explorer operates twice daily between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire, whilst the HS1500 Stena Voyager carries out four round trips a day between Stranraer and Belfast.

The withdrawal of the HSS 1500 ferries would result in conventional ferries operating the routes between Britain and Ireland with top speeds of approximately 25 miles per hour.

Last year, the HSS 1500 Stena Discovery was taken off the Hoek van Holland to Harwich route. The HSS service has been replaced with twice daily sailings on a pair of traditional super ferries. Stena Line cited escalating bunker costs as being one of the main reasons for the replacement by conventional ferries. It also warned that it would have to consider all such services if oil prices reached $100 a barrel.

Like many high-speed ferries around the world, the Stena Discovery is now laid up in docks and may never return as the price of marine fuel continues to rise.

Stena Line has also announced that it will be introducing a fuel surcharge of £10 per vehicle and £2 for foot passengers.