Ferry operator, Stena Line has confirmed plans to launch a new freight-only Dublin-Birkenhead (Liverpool) route which is start service in mid-February 2024.

The new central Irish Sea service will initially operate with one ro-ro ship departing Dublin early in the morning and making the return journey from Birkenhead in the evening.

Stena Line which already operates from Dublin Port and Birkenhead and with this new service will complement existing routes from Dublin to Holyhead and Belfast to Liverpool. The company is currently assessing ship deployment options for the service.

Commenting on the new service, Paul Grant, Trade Director (Irish Sea), 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 Grant added.

Stena Line is the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, with the biggest fleet, up to 238 weekly sailings offering the widest choice of routes including, combined passenger and freight services from Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead, and Rosslare to Fishguard in addition to Rosslare to Cherbourg.

In addition to the new Dublin-Birkenhead freight route in early 2024, the company runs an existing dedicated freight-only service of Belfast-Heysham.