Stena Line has confirmed plans to launch a new freight service between Dublin and Birkenhead (Liverpool) starting mid-February 2024.
The new service will initially operate with one ship departing Dublin early in the morning and making the return journey from Birkenhead in the evening.
Stena Line already operates from Dublin Port and Birkenhead, and this new service will complement the existing routes from Dublin to Holyhead and Belfast to Liverpool. The company is currently assessing ship deployment options for the service.
Niclas Mårtensson, CEO, Stena Line said: “The launch of our new freight service between Dublin and Birkenhead secures an important trade route on the UK/Ireland corridor and further strengthens our position on the Irish Sea. Stena Line will now operate two routes out of both Dublin Port and Birkenhead establishing key logistics hubs connecting freight flows across the Irish Sea and creating efficiencies for port users.”
Barry O’Connell, CEO, Dublin Port Company, said: “It’s essential for Ireland’s economy that we have strong availability and competition on direct shipping routes between Dublin Port and the UK. We are pleased to welcome Stena Line’s new Dublin-Birkenhead route which brings choice to the market.”
This will be Stena Line’s seventh route in the Irish Sea region in addition to Belfast - Cairnryan, Belfast – Heysham, Belfast – Liverpool, Dublin – Holyhead, Rosslare – Fishguard and Rosslare – Cherbourg.
“With our extended operational contract with Peel Ports at Birkenhead and the expansion of our operations at Dublin Port, this route further demonstrates our commitment to our customers in the region and we are confident it will be a success offering direct access to the UK, Ireland and into Europe,” Mr Mårtensson added.
Stena Line is one of Europe's leading ferry companies transporting 6.5 million passengers with 39 vessels across 17 routes in Northern Europe operating 27,000 sailings each year.