From ASN to P&O - The North Channel Connection

This book charts the story of the ferry routes from Preston to Larne and Belfast and, later, Cairnryan to Larne from the days of the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company (A.S.N.), through the Townsend Thoresen years, to the current operator, P&O Ferries.

A.S.N. can lay claim to establishing the first commercial ro-ro ferry service in the world, between Preston and Larne in 1948. Following privatisation, the company was sold to the European Ferries group in 1971 and the Larne service moved to Cairnryan in 1973. Taken over by P&O in 1987, the route between Cairnryan and Larne has developed into a modern operation with two successful purpose-built ships. 128 pages. Softback. Published February 2027.