Ferry company Stena Line has commissioned the construction of two new freight ferries to boost capacity between Northern Ireland and England significantly.
The first of the 147 metre vessels will enter service on the Belfast to Heysham, Lancashire, route in autumn 2025. It will have capacity for 2,800 “lane meters” and will mean that freight capacity between the two ports will jump by 80% on current levels.
Significantly, the vessels will be able to operate on methanol fuel, a capability which will allow the shipping company to shift its energy needs away from fuel oil as it secures sufficient supply of e-methanol. Stena said it will also future proof the vessels to be able to be converted to electrification.
“This is very significant day for Belfast - Heysham freight traffic,” Paul Grant, Stena Line Trade Director said. “By adding an extra 80% capacity to the route, Stena Line has responded to growing demands from customers.
“We have operated a very popular service on Belfast-Heysham for several years now but with restricted capacity it has been challenging to meet increased market growth. With the extra capacity, we will now be able to significantly enhance our service on this route and complement our Birkenhead, Cairnryan and Holyhead services.”
Stena Line claims to be the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea and, as well as its island of Ireland to Great Britain services, also runs a Rosslare to Cherbourg sailing 12 times weekly.
Belfast Harbour’s Chief Executive Joe O’Neill said the new vessels will support the growth of roll on, roll off ferry traffic at the port.
“We are committed to working in close collaboration with our long-standing and much valued partners at Stena Line, as we work together to invest in port infrastructure and develop as a world leading regional port,” he said. “We share Stena Line’s ambitions to meet increased market growth and exceed customer expectations and will continue to support them at this exciting time for the Belfast-Heysham freight route.”
