Ferry operator Stena Line is to add two new freight ships to its Irish Sea routes.
The company said it is constructing the new vessels for its expanding Belfast to Heysham freight service, in a multi-million pound investment that will significantly increase capacity on the route.
Stena said the first of the new vessels is due to enter service on the route in autumn 2025.
Both will be able to operate on methanol fuel and will be future proofed for potential future electrification.
Stena Line is the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea.
It operates passenger and freight services from Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead, and Rosslare to Fishguard routes, as well as its dedicated freight only route from Belfast to Heysham.
Stena also has a direct service from Rosslare to Cherbourg and will be introducing an upgraded ship, Stena Vision, to this route for this summer 2023.
Paul Grant, Stena Line Trade Director, said today is very significant day for Belfast-Heysham freight traffic, adding that by adding an extra 80% capacity to the route, the ferry company has responded to growing demands from customers.
"We have operated a very popular service on Belfast-Heysham for several years now but with restricted capacity it has been challenging to meet increased market growth. With the extra capacity, we will now be able to significantly enhance our service on this route and complement our Birkenhead, Cairnryan and Holyhead services," he added.
Joe O'Neill, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, said the port was committed to working in close collaboration with its long-standing and much valued partners at Stena Line, as the two companies work together to invest in port infrastructure and develop as a world leading regional port.
"We share Stena Line's ambitions to meet increased market growth and exceed customer expectations and will continue to support them at this exciting time for the Belfast-Heysham freight route," he added.
