The number of cars carried on UK domestic ferry routes rose by 3.5 per cent in September – an increase credited to the fine autumn weather.
Cars carried on routes to the Western Isles in Scotland rose eight per cent last month, the Isle of Man by six per cent and the Isle of Wight one per cent.
The latest Ferrystat statistics released today confirm a strong year for car carryings measured across all routes by UK ferries which are 1.6 per cent higher in the year to date compared to 2015.
It follows a strong summer for the ferries when the number of cars carried rose four per cent in July during the holiday season.
On the Irish Sea, cars were up 1.7 per cent in September and there was a 4.8 per cent rise on the central corridor routes out of Holyhead and Liverpool to Dublin.
Passenger numbers on domestic routes in the year to date are up by 2.3 per cent.
Cars carried on ferries from the Western channel ports rose by 4.3 per cent in the year to date and by 2.4 per cent on the North Sea routes from Harwich, Hull and Newcastle.
Bill Gibbons, Director of Discover Ferries, said: “More people are choosing to take their car on holiday and it appears the fine autumn weather has boosted the numbers within the UK. It’s clear that people are deciding to avoid the hassle of airports and opting for the convenience and flexibility of taking their own road trip instead.”
Visit Discover Ferries –for up-to-date information and news about travelling by ferry.
*Figures from Ferrystat compiled by independent research agency, IRN Research, based on returns supplied by Discover ferry operator members.
About Discover Ferries
Discover Ferries is an industry body representing 12 ferry operators in the UK and Ireland operating more than 75 routes. Its role is to promote ferry travel and holidays and to campaign on behalf of its members and in the interests of ferry travellers. The carriage of freight vehicles is also a very important part of the Discover Ferries’ members’ business.
In 2015, Discover Ferries members carried 39 million passengers and 8.6m cars as well as 162,000 coaches. Discover Ferries members are: Brittany Ferries, Caledonian MacBrayne, Condor Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, NorthLink Ferries, P&O Ferries, Red Funnel, StenaLine and Wightlink. Discover Ferries members serve the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, Scottish Islands, Channel Islands, Ireland, Spain, France, Belgium and Holland.
