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Stena and Peel Ports look to the future

[ February 17, 2023   //   ]

Stena Line and Peel Ports have signed a deal to operate the 12 Quays port and ferry terminal in Birkenhead until the beginning of the 22nd Century. The Swedish company has operated twice daily ferry services to Belfast since 2011 and the agreement will see them continue to operate there for at least another 77 years, until 2100.

The value of the deal was not disclosed.

The two parties said the length of the deal demonstrates the success of the working partnership between the two companies, and that they would now strengthen their relationship together for the long term

In 2021 and 2022 Stena Line launched two new E-Flexer ferries on its Birkenhead to Belfast service, Stena Edda and Stena Embla, increasing freight and passenger capacity on the route by a third.

Subsequently Stena Line purchased two sites adjacent to the 12 Quays Terminal, to provide additional freight storage.

Stena Line chief executive Niclas Martensson, said: “After 12 successful years in 12 Quays our business in Birkenhead continues to flourish year-after-year. This deal is a sign of our long-term commitment to Birkenhead and Peel Ports, with whom we have a very strong partnership. We will continue to make significant investments to increase our services to our customers across the Irish Sea.”

Stena’s chief operating officer ports and terminals, Carl-Johan Hellner (pictured, left), added: “This deal signifies the  strengthening of our partnership with Peel Ports. We have a long-term commitment to our Irish Sea customers, and together we will continue to provide value and to enable continued growth for their businesses here in Birkenhead and across this very important region for us.”

Peel Ports chief operating officer, David Huck (right), stated: “We have built a highly successful partnership with Stena Line over the years for the developing of services across the Irish Sea, and we are delighted this long-term agreement reaffirms our commitment to enable further investment into Birkenhead and the Mersey cluster.”

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