Today marks twenty five years since from Stena Line relocated its Northern Irish operation from Larne to Belfast. We take a look at the ships which served the Belfast – Stranraer route before the Scottish port moved to Loch Ryan Port near Cairnryan in 2011.
Stena Caledonia departs the new Belfast Terminal at Albert Quay, bound for Stranraer in November 1995. © Scott Mackey.
Stena Antrim seen at the layover berth (Albert Quay South) in November 1995. © Scott Mackey.
A view of the new berth and terminal area at Albert Quay with Stena Antrim on layover in November 1995. © Scott Mackey.
Marine Evangeline seen berthed in York Dock, adjacent to the new Albert Quay Terminal while on charter to cover refits in November 1995. © Scott Mackey.
A view from Stena Caledonia of the new terminal building and construction works continuing on the berth at Ballast Quay for the HSS, November 1995. © Scott Mackey.
Looking across from onboard Stena Caledonia at the new Belfast berth towards Harland and Wolff, the yard where the vessel was built in 1981. © Scott Mackey.
Stena Cambria seen at the Albert Quay berth in November 1995. © Scott Mackey.
A view of the terminal area at Albert Quay with Stena Antrim visible at the layover berth, July 1996. © Scott Mackey.
Stena Galloway and Stena Antrim viewed from the departure lounge in the new terminal building while cars wait to board the HSS Stena Voyager, July 1996. © Scott Mackey.
A view of (L-R) Stena Antrim, Stena Caledonia and HSS Stena Voyager at the Belfast terminal (Albert/Ballast Quay) in July 1996. © Scott Mackey.
HSS Stena Voyager arrives in Belfast Harbour and turns to head stern first towards the new terminal during her first month in service, July 1996. © Scott Mackey.
Stena Caledonia pulls away from her Belfast berth on another sailing to Stranraer in November 1996. © Scott Mackey.
Stena Caledonia seen at the Albert Quay berth with Stena Adventurer (ex Stena HIbernia, ex St Columba) visible beyond in the York Dock, having finished service with the company and awaiting sale, Nov 1996. © Scott Mackey.
Stena Adventurer (ex Stena Hibernia, ex St Columba) awaits sale while laid up at Albert Quay South, November 1996. © Scott Mackey.
Seen on Boxing Day 1996, Stena Adventurer (ex Stena Hibernia, ex St Columba) laid up at Belfast with Stena Galloway on the berth. © Scott Mackey.
HSS Stena Discovery seen at Belfast in April 1997 while providing cover for HSS Stena Voyager. © Scott Mackey.
A dull wet February day in 1998 sees Stena Lynx I arrive at Belfast from Stranraer while covering on the route with Stena Caledonia in the Thompson Graving Dock for overhaul. © Scott Mackey.
Stena Galloway loading for Stranraer in March 1999. © Scott Mackey.
A misty and murky early morning in April 1999 with HSS Stena Voyager and Stena Galloway at the Belfast terminal. © Scott Mackey.
Stena Galloway at her Belfast berth in the early morning mist, April 1999. © Scott Mackey.
Stena Galloway being readied for sale to new owners based in Morocco after completing 22 years of service for Sealink/Stena Line in January 2002. © Scott Mackey.
Stena Navigator seen at Albert Quay on her first day in Belfast, September 2009. She would enter service after refurbishment in November 2009. © Scott Mackey.
The day after the closure of the Stranraer route, Stena Caledonia and Stena Navigator are laid up at Albert Quay pending sale, November 2011. © Scott Mackey.
A scan of a Stena leaflet promoting the move to Belfast. Courtesy of Scott Mackey