Stena Line celebrates record volumes at Belfast as owner portrait unveiled

Belfast Harbour has unveiled a portrait of Stena Line owner Dan Sten Olsson as the Swedish ferry company celebrates record freight volumes passing through the Northern Irish port during 2023. Approximately 587,000 freight units were moved via Stena’s three routes from Belfast to Cairnryan, Birkenhead, and Heysham.

The portrait was commissioned to celebrate the contribution Stena Line has made to Northern Ireland’s busiest port over three decades. The painting, by local artist Ken Hamilton, was unveiled at the Corporation Square offices of the port company where the portrait will continue to be displayed.

PICTURE OF SUCCESS: Belfast Harbour has unveiled a specially commissioned portrait of Stena Line owner and Chairman, Dan Sten Olsson, to celebrate the significant contribution the Swedish ferry operator has made to the Port and Region over the last three decades. The unveiling comes as Stena Line marks a record year for freight volumes on its Belfast routes with approximately 587,000 units being transported in 2023. Painted by local artist, Ken Hamilton, the portrait was commissioned by Belfast Harbour to acknowledge the impact that Dan Sten Olsson and the investment of Stena Line has made to the development of Belfast Harbour in recent years. Pictured at the unveiling of the portrait at the Belfast Harbour Office in Corporation Square are (l-r) Cpt Kevin Allen (Harbour Master), Belfast Harbour, Joe O’Neil (CEO), Belfast Harbour, Andy Kane (Regional Ports Operation Manager-Irish Sea North), Stena Line, Dan Sten Olsson, Dr Theresa Donaldson (Chair), Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Michael Robinson (Port Director), Belfast Harbour, Paul Grant (Trade Director), Stena Line, Niclas Martensson (CEO), Stena Line, and Maurice Bullick (Finance Director), Belfast Harbour. Image: Stena Line. — Pictured at the unveiling of a portrait of Dan Sten Olsson at the Belfast Harbour Office in Corporation Square are (l-r) Cpt Kevin Allen (Harbour Master), Belfast Harbour, Joe O’Neil (CEO), Belfast Harbour, Andy Kane (Regional Ports Operation Manager-Irish Sea North), Stena Line, Dan Sten Olsson, Dr Theresa Donaldson (Chair), Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Michael Robinson (Port Director), Belfast Harbour, Paul Grant (Trade Director), Stena Line, Niclas Martensson (CEO), Stena Line, and Maurice Bullick (Finance Director), Belfast Harbour. Image: Stena Line.

Commenting on the portrait and Stena’s relationship with Belfast, Dan Sten Olsson, who is the Chairman as well as the Owner of Stena Line, said:

“I am honoured to be presented with a portrait by Belfast Harbour Commissioners. Over the years, Stena Line has developed a strong relationship and affinity with Belfast and the local community. Personally, I did my first business in Belfast over 50 years ago and have been committed to Northern Ireland ever since. Northern Ireland is a strategically important region for Stena Line and our solid partnership with Belfast Harbour has been instrumental in our construction of one of our largest passenger and freight hubs in our European network. We look forward to what the future brings for the routes and to working with the harbour to continuously improve our services for our customers.”
Source: Stena Line press release.

Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners said:

“Stena Line is one of Belfast Harbour’s most important strategic partners and plays an integral role in the life of Belfast Harbour and our local economy. We considered it would be a fitting tribute to recognise the contribution and commitment that Dan has made personally to the Company’s growth in Belfast with a portrait of him to be displayed in the Harbour Office. Dan has been a great friend to Belfast Harbour and the City and Region over the last 30 years. We look forward to the continued success of our partnership as Stena Line expands and develops its freight and passenger services in the future.”
Source: Stena Line press release.

Investment

Stena Line is the largest ferry company on the Irish Sea with Belfast its busiest port. Last year the company announced a major investment in the Belfast to Heysham route with the order of two brand new ferries for the service.

A rendering of a Stena NewMax ferry, two of which are under construction for Stena Line's Belfast to Heysham route. Image: Stena RoRo. — A rendering of a Stena NewMax ferry, two of which are under construction for Stena Line’s Belfast to Heysham route. Image: Stena RoRo.

The new vessels, which are being built to Stena’s NewMax design, will boost capacity by 80% while significantly increasing efficiency and reducing emissions. Stena’s NewMax pair will be fitted with shore power connections, battery hybrid technology, and will be the first Irish Sea ferries capable of running on cleaner burning methanol instead of diesel. Construction of the first of the Heysham NewMax ferries started earlier this month with the vessel joining the route in autumn of next year. The order for new Heysham ferries follows the delivery of two larger brand new ferries for the Belfast to Birkenhead route in 2020/2021, STENA EDDA and STENA EMBLA.

STENA EMBLA at Birkenhead. Image: Stena Line.

Commenting on Stena’s relationship with Belfast and the new Heysham vessels, Stena Line Irish Sea Trade Director Paul Grant said:

“Our Belfast routes have broken freight records in 2023 and we’re proud to keep delivering market leading freight and travel solutions. We’re constantly trying to improve and give customers the service levels they want and deserve. The strong relationship with Belfast Harbour has helped us facilitate growth and looking forward to 2025, we’re making preparations for our new ships on the Belfast-Heysham service, which will provide a significant boost in capacity.”
Source: Stena Line press release.

Irish Sea expansion

Stena Line is one of Europe’s largest ferry companies and transports around 6.5 million passengers per year on its 39 ships across 17 routes. The company will soon add an additional Irish Sea route for accompanied and unaccompanied freight customers between Liverpool (Birkenhead) and Dublin. The service is expected to begin on 15 February.

STENA HORIZON at Hoek Van Holland 16 January 2024. Image: © Rob de Visser — STENA HORIZON at Hoek Van Holland 16 January 2024. The vessel is currently on overhaul relief duties on the North Sea before opening Stena Line’s new Liverpool to Dublin service. Image: © Rob de Visser

The new Dublin route partially replaces capacity lost on the central corridor following P&O Ferries withdrawal from ferry services to the Republic of Ireland with the closure of its Liverpool to Dublin link at the end of last year. Initially at least, Stena’s service will use a single ship offering a single round trip six days per week. The STENA HORIZON is expected to open the route but will be replaced later in the year by a different vessel so that she can return to her usual Rosslare to Cherbourg route in time for the summer peak.

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