Ferry operator Stena Line will soon run an additional service on its route from Ireland to the continent, in a move that will double the capacity and the frequency of sailings.
A new freight-only vessel, the Stena Foreteller, will join the company’s Rosslare to Cherbourg route from January 4th as the freight link between Ireland and Europe increases in importance in light of Brexit.
The Stena Foreteller will provide an additional 3,000 lane metres of freight capacity each trip, and can accommodate both accompanied and unaccompanied traffic with onboard facilities for up to 12 freight drivers.
“We have been listening carefully to feedback from our customers and it has become clear that there is demand for increased frequency on the Rosslare-Cherbourg service, the shortest direct crossing between Ireland and France,” CEO of Stena Line, Niclas Mårtensson said.
“Now with 12 weekly crossings connecting Rosslare and Cherbourg and up to 240 sailings per week throughout the Irish Sea region, we offer transport organisations and their customers the flexibility, availability and reliability required to get their goods to market in the most convenient way.”
Gateway
Rosslare Europort has welcomed the new sailings, with General Manager Glenn Carr saying the move firmly places the port as “Ireland’s gateway to Europe and a central strategic link connecting the country and the European continent.”
“In the context of Brexit, our new business announcements have illustrated the work we have done with the haulage industry, representative bodies, shipping operators and ports in Europe to identify strong offerings for the sector, and ensure that Irish business has Brexit-proof options for trade,” he said.
The new vessel will bring Stena Line frequency on the Rosslare to Cherbourg route from three to six-times-weekly each way, meaning up to 30 direct services will operate each week between Rosslare and the continent in 2021.
It follows the recent announcement by DFDS of a new six-times-weekly each way direct service between Rosslare and Dunkirk.
