AN AMERICAN company is planning to launch the first direct ocean freight service between Belfast, Montreal and Baltimore next month. Trans Atlantic Liner Services (TALS) intends to start the new route that could reduce transatlantic journey times by up to seven days.

All shipbound exports from Northern Ireland to North America currently have to be transported to larger ports in Britain and northern Europe. The service would initially operate once a month.

Peter Bouwhuis, president of TALS, said: “This new service will provide the only direct ocean freight link to the island’s biggest markets outside the European Union. Delays and costs incurred by indirect shipping routes via Great Britain ports and continental Europe have put local companies at a competitive disadvantage.”

The firm signed a partner/ service agreement with BBC-Chartering, which operates more than 140 multi-purpose freight vessels.

TALS has opened an office in Belfast.

Management at Belfast Harbour have welcomed the company’s decision to commit to the service. Roy Adair, chief executive officer of Belfast Harbour, said: “The prospect of Belfast hosting the island’s only direct freight service to North America is something which we have been trying to facilitate for several years.”