According to Norse Merchant Ferries, its RoPax vessel, Brave Merchant, will re-join its Liverpool - Dublin service following a seven-month period on charter to the U.K. Ministry of Defence. Brave Merchant will replace the charter vessel Norse Mersey, soon to be re-delivered to its Italian owner, and will operate together with Lindarosa to maintain the twice-daily service.
Initially, NorseMerchant had taken advantage of the return of Brave Merchant to provide cover for its Liverpool - Belfast passenger/freight ferry Lagan Viking while the vessel completed its drydocking program in Liverpool. It is due to make the first sailing on the Dublin route on September 8, 2003, and for a few days will operate alongside Norse Mersey while Lindarosa undergoes some routine maintenance work.