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Irish Ferries grows frequency on Dover Calais route
by 4SMNI
Stena Line Boosts Belfast Freight Capacity with Larger Ships
Stena Line has once again realigned its Northern Ireland freight services to better reflect market demand created by Brexit related trade distortions.
To accommodate this
change in demand, Stena Line has redeployed its larger Stena Foreteller ship to the popular Belfast-Birkenhead (Liverpool) route adding a much needed additional 13% freight capacity. Freight routes between Britain and ROI have witnessed a decline of up to 25% whilst trade routes into Northern Ireland from Britain have seen month on month increases caused in the main by the impact of Brexit. Paul Grant, Stena Line Trade Director (Irish Sea) commented: “We are seeing a prolonged distortion of the market in terms of the preferred freight routes between Britain and the island of Ireland. This presents an ongoing challenge for the entire logistics industry to keep pace with shifting demand and preferences. “As the largest ferry network operator on the Irish Sea, providing ten ships and five routes between Britain and the island of Ireland, Stena Line is uniquely placed to respond quickly to changing customer demands which is why we have redeployed the Stena Foreteller to operate on the Belfast-Liverpool service. We now have seven ships dedicated to our Belfast hub.” Paul Grant added: “The popularity of the Belfast-Liverpool freight service continues to grow which is why we took the decision two years ago to invest in the route by increasing capacity (at the time) by 25% with the introduction of two brand new e-Flexer vessels. “Despite that upweighting, demand still continues to grow hence our recent additional capacity adjustment in the form of Stena Foreteller. “It remains to be seen to what extent the current market distortions will become a permanent feature of trade between Britain and the island of Ireland but from Stena Line’s perspective, we will continue to listen to our customers and provide our freight capacity to where it is most needed.”
Irish Ferries, a subsidiary of Irish Continental Group plc (ICG), have added further capacity to their existing Short Straits service.
Since joining the Port of Dover in June 2021, significant additional capacity has been added by Irish Ferries, indicating a high level of confidence in the Short Straits. This investment in the Dover-Calais crossing is evidence of the resilience, value and dependability of the route and bolsters Dover’s offering of an inbound ferry every 25 minutes. Launching the Isle of Innisfree, Irish Ferries have already doubled their frequency on the Dover-Calais route since June. Moreover, with a third ship due to join the fleet in January, Irish Ferries will offer up to 30 sailings per day on the route, with sailings in each direction approximately every 90 minutes. Commenting, Doug Bannister, Chief Executive Officer at the Port of Dover, said: “The capacity added by Irish Ferries on the Dover-Calais route is testament to the ongoing confidence in the Short Straits. The market continues to choose the high pace, frequency and capacity offered by Dover, and in turn, the Port offers customers more choice, moving from two to three operators in 2021. “Together with all our dedicated ferry operators, the Port of Dover is driving resilient supply chains, further enhancing our joint offering to customers. Dover is continuing to serve the market as the busiest and most efficient UK port – keeping people and goods flowing via the shortest and most efficient sea crossing between the UK and mainland Europe.”
Irish Ferries hat-trick grows frequency 50% with 3rd Dover Calais ship
Irish Ferries is adding a third ro-ro ferry to its Dover to Calais route. The ship is expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2022, joining the ISLE OF INISHMORE and the recently announced ISLE OF INNISFREE.
CIUDAD DE MAHON, to be renamed in the coming weeks, was built in 2000 by the by Astilleros Espanoles S.A. (AESA) shipyard in Spain and originally delivered as NORTHERN MERCHANT, and is no stranger to the short straits, having originally operated on the Dover - Dunkirk route following her delivery. The Ship has the capacity to carry up to 589 passengers and over 90 freight vehicles. The ship offers a host of facilities for freight drivers/passengers such as a self-service restaurant, café/ bar, onboard duty-free shop and spacious outdoor decks. Andrew Sheen, Irish Ferries Managing Director, said: “The addition of a third vessel on our Dover / Calais route will allow us to offer a departure from either Dover or Calais every 90 minutes. This is a further sign of our commitment to this route and will offer customers even greater choice along with the capacity, frequency and reliability that is required to service this important route between GB and France”.
