Swedish ferry firm Stena Line reports record freight volumes for 2025 on its route between Belfast and Birkenhead. Tony McDonough reports
More than 270,000 freight units were shipped by Stena vessels between Belfast and Birkenhead in 2025 – a record for the route.
Latest figures from the Swedish ferry firm show freight volume on its three routes linking Belfast with Birkenhead, Cairnryan and Heysham were top 1% during the year to almost 600,000 freight units.
There are two return sailings a day between the Twelve Quays terminal in Birkenhead, directly opposite Liverpool city centre, and Belfast, Tuesdays to Sundays, with one sailing on a Monday.
This route is operated by two recently introduced vessels, Stena Edda and Stena Embla. As well as freight the ships also carry passengers. The Birkenhead to Dublin route, also from Birkenhead, is freight-only.
Stena says demand for freight services to and from Belfast has been increasing steadily in recent years. Its Belfast to Heysham 2025 freight service also recorded its highest volumes in the last five years.
Further growth is anticipated in 2026 with the introduction of the new Stena Connecta vessel onto the Irish Sea on January 23. She will operate alongside her sister ship Stena Futura. Both will provide an additional 40% freight capacity.
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Paul Grant, Stena Line Irish Sea north trade director, said: “The 2025 results underscore Belfast’s position as one of the most strategically important business hubs across the Stena Line network.
“These routes provide vital infrastructure linking NI and GB. Our Irish Sea business has been transformed over the last three decades through a combination of fleet and port investments along with the continued support of our customers.”