The new ferry terminal in Belfast will provide more economic opportunities for the South West of Scotland and promote even stronger links between Scotland and Northern Ireland, First Minister Alex Salmond said at the official opening ceremony at the Stena Line terminal yesterday.

Mr Salmond said: "The Port of Belfast's new terminal is an excellent addition to Scotland's existing transport links. It will provide better, faster and more frequent journeys between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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"I am in no doubt that the warm welcome and excellent service I received during my ferry journey this morning will play a key part in maintaining the Belfast-Stranraer route as the busiest passenger route on the Irish Sea with more than one million passengers travelling on this route each year."

The First Minister said he look forward to Stena Line firming up proposals for a new terminal at Old House point to further economic opportunities for the local area and beyond.

"The economic benefits of Belfast's new terminal and the proposed new terminal for Scotland should not be underestimated. I wish Stena Line and the port of Belfast the very best in their operation of the thousands of journeys to Scotland planned for the future," he concluded.

(GK/JM)