The new Stena Line Liverpool to Dublin ferry service launched this morning, 15 February, with a 0630 sailing from Dublin. The first sailing from the Mersey, was the 1830 sailing, this evening, from the Stena Line 12 Quays, Birkenhead terminal.
The addition of the new route is expected to further boost the company’s freight volumes following a record year on its Irish Sea services in 2023.
The new service will provide Stena Line’s freight customers on both sides of the Irish Sea with more choice. The company has become known for their many connections between Britain and Ireland. The new Dublin route is Stena Line’s seventh route in the Irish Sea region complementing its Belfast to Cairnryan, Belfast to Heysham, Belfast to Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead, Rosslare to Fishguard and Rosslare to Cherbourg services.
The service became possible following P&O Ferries’ decision to close their own Liverpool to Dublin service. Subsequently, the Dublin Port Company actively sought another operator to take over P&O Ferries’ Terminal 5 for a new service to England or Wales. The eventual winners were both Stena Line and Seatruck Ferries. The two companies now share the terminal, including the Berth 51 linkspan.
Seatruck Ferries/CLdN moved their Dublin to Heysham service from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 on 9 January. This released more space at their existing terminal for their main Liverpool route. Stena Line’s existing Dublin to Holyhead route remains at Terminal 2 of the Irish port.
New Liverpool to Dublin ferry welcomed by ports
The service sails six days a week. There are departures from Liverpool, Sunday to Friday, leaving at 1830 and arriving 0215. Meanwhile, sailings from Dublin are Monday to Saturday, departing at 0630 and arriving 1430.
The service has been warmly welcomed on both sides of the Irish Sea. Barry O’Connell, CEO, Dublin Port Company, said:
“We are pleased to welcome Stena Line’s new Dublin-Liverpool route, which will provide freight customers with a choice of routes across the Irish Sea. It is essential to the Irish economy that we have strong, reliable connections to Great Britain and this dedicated freight service helps to secure a key trading corridor.”
Stena Line Press Release 15 February 2024
On the Liverpool side, the service sees four Stena Line vessels Mersey based. The new Birkenhead to Dublin route joins the Belfast route served by the E-Flexers STENA EDDA, STENA EMBLA and recently acquired freighter STENA FORWARDER. In 2023, Stena Line signed an agreement with Peel Ports to operate at the 12 Quays Terminal until the year 2100, demonstrating the company’s long-term commitment to the region.
Phil Hall, Port Director Liverpool, Peel Ports Group said:
“We are delighted to be supporting this new freight route as part of our long-standing partnership programme with Stena Line, which further enhances trade opportunities, efficiency and capability for our customers.“
Stena Line Press Release 15 February 2024
Reliable Stena favourite opens route
Stena Line’s new Liverpool to Dublin route is initially being operated by the RoPax STENA HORIZON, normally on the Rosslare to Cherbourg route. However, Stena is currently assessing ship deployment options for a permanent freight-only RoRo vessel. Paul Grant, Trade Director (Irish Sea), Stena Line said:
“We are excited to launch our much-anticipated new freight route between Liverpool and Dublin, securing a key trading route across the Irish Sea. With two services now operating from both Dublin Port and 12 Quays in Birkenhead, we’re expanding our operational hubs in both ports creating more efficiencies for our customers. Currently, we have deployed the Stena Horizon temporarily, but we hope to be able to confirm a permanent solution soon that will help to maximise freight capacity and boost trade volumes.”
Stena Line Press Release 15 February 2024
Since the start of the year, STENA HORIZON had been operating on the Harwich to Hoek Van Holland route during extended overhaul periods for STENA HOLLANDICA and STENA BRITANNICA. Completing service on Saturday afternoon, 10 February, the vessel sailed to Holyhead and stayed at the port from Monday to Wednesday this week, before sailing to Dublin yesterday, 14 February.
It is currently expected that STENA HORIZON will return to the Rosslare to Cherbourg route in late spring. This service is currently being maintained solely by the STENA VISION. The ‘Vision is expected to be joined by STENA NORDICA in the opening days of April until the ‘Horizon returns. STENA NORDICA, the regular Fishguard to Rosslare vessel is currently operating on the Holyhead to Dublin route in place of STENA ESTRID. STENA ESTRID, in turn, has been covering the Belfast to Birkenhead route in place of STENA EDDA and STENA EMBLA. STENA EDDA dry-docked at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead 8 January to 1 February, her place in dock was then taken by STENA EMBLA which is due to return to service on 21 February.
STENA ESTRID then covers on the Belfast to Cairnryan route, firstly for STENA SUPERFAST VII, then for STENA SUPERFAST VIII before returning to her normal Holyhead route to allow STENA ADVENTURER to dry-dock.
Meanwhile, following STENA EUROPE’s extended preparations for returning to service, the Fishguard to Rosslare route is expected to re-start from the evening sailing from Rosslare on 20 February.
Back to two Liverpool to Dublin ferry routes
Stena Line’s arrival on the Liverpool to Dublin route, brings two operators back to the sector.
Seatruck Ferries, operating from the Liverpool side of the Mersey at Brocklebank Dock, offers up to four sailings per day to and from Liverpool. The route is currently maintained by three core vessels, the FSG-Class RoRos, SEATRUCK POWER, SEATRUCK PRECISION and SEATRUCK PROGRESS. These vessels are supported by an additional trip by a CLdN Kawasaki-class vessel during core weekdays. In recent times these vessels have included CELANDINE, MELUSINE and VICTORINE.
Meanwhile, Seatruck Ferries’ ‘P-Class’ vessel SEATRUCK PANORAMA was sold to new owners on Monday, 12 February. The vessel’s new owners are Transportación Marítima de California (TMC). TMC offers RoRo services through the Sea of Cortez on the La Paz – Topolobampo – La Paz and La Paz – Mazatlán – La Paz Routes. This Mexican company already owns and operates two former UK vessels SAN JORGE (ex-MAERSK FLANDERS) and SANTA MACELA (ex-SAGA MOON). The vessel was replaced on the Dublin to Heysham route by sister-ship SEATRUCK PACE which has recently been operating on CLdN services to Spain. Sister ‘P-Class’ vessel, SEATRUCK PENNANT was sold to Arab Bridge Maritime in August 2023 for Red Sea service under the name UR.
Seatruck Ferries will become CLdN RoRo Ltd from 19 February. It remains the same legal entity as before but with a new name, which see the Seatruck brand disappear over time.
