European Highlander operates back to back with sister ship European Causeway for P&O Ferries on the Larne - Cairnryan route. The vessel was the second of 3 ships designed for P&O Irish Sea operations and built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan. European Highlander was purpose built for the Larne - Cairnryan service, the only route which it has operated since launch in 2002. In January 2005 the vessel ran aground just a few metres from its berth at Cairnryan as a result of a freak gust. The vessel is slightly larger than its Sister European Causeway and has a few minor differences. European Highlander rather than having 2 MES systems and 2 Lifeboats has 4 Lifeboats. The vessel also has an extra passenger lift and slightly larger accomodation for passengers. With the extra vehicle deck space the European Highlander can carry an extra few vehicle also. Like the European Causeway there are 3 vehicle decks (Decks 1-3) both deck 2 and 3 are accessible via linkspan at Larne and Cairnryan whilst Deck 1 (Lower Hold) is located via fixed internal ramp covered by hatch on deck 2.