Freight News, Sea

Stena cuts Irish Sea freighter but remains bullish

[ May 28, 2020   //   Chris ]

Stena Line is reducing capacity on its Belfast-Liverpool (Birkenhead) service due to the Corona crisis, which has hit freight demand, removing the Stena Forecaster freighter and cutting 10 trips per week.

The move follows the introduction of Stena’s largest ship on the route on 9 March, the brand-new Stena Edda, which replaced the smaller Stena Lagan and at the time increased capacity for both freight and passengers. In early 2021, Stena Line will replace Stena Mersey with a further new ship, Stena Embla.  These two new RoPax ferries will increase freight capacity by almost 30% and will double passenger capacity compared with the vessels they replace.

Stena Line’s Irish Sea trade director Paul Grant, said: “Since the start of the Coronavirus  crisis we have been closely monitoring the market and adapting our capacities to meet the prevailing demand.”

he added: “From 2021, a combination of the two largest ships ever to sail between Belfast and Liverpool, Stena Edda and Stena Embla will help us to grow our freight and travel business.  Stena Edda and Stena Embla will raise onboard facilities to a whole new level, with 175 cabins including six suites plus enhanced freight facilities and faster loading and disembarkation processes. Despite all of the current difficulties Stena Line remains confident about the future and are well placed to respond to customer and market demands.” 

Tags: Stena