Freight volumes of Stena Line on its three Belfast services in 2025 were another record year, as growth of 1.0% increased volumes to almost 600,000 freight units shipped from Belfast Harbour to Cairnryan, Liverpool (Birkenhead), and Heysham.
Record freight volumes were set in the year Stena Line marked 30 years of operations from Belfast Harbour following its move from Larne in 1995.
Demand for freight services to and from Belfast has been increasing steadily in recent years, with the Belfast-Liverpool (Birkenhead) route in particular growing in popularity, as evidenced by a record number of freight units being shipped, over 270 000.
The Belfast-Heysham freight service also in 2025 recorded its highest volumes in the last 5 years. The company anticipates further significant growth on this route in the year ahead with the introduction of the newly built Stena Connecta on 23 January.
Stena Connecta this month is to enter service alongside its twin leadship, Stena Futura, which was named and launched onto the route in November 2025. Both newbuilds will provide an additional 40% freight capacity when fully operational with a choice of 24 sailings per week.
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.
Paul Grant added, “Stena Futura and Stena Connecta are hybrid vessels that will play a key role in developing Stena Line’s sustainability journey, as they will both be able to operate on methanol fuel.
“They will also be enhanced with built-in technologies that will be able to utilize both battery propulsion and shore power, when available. In addition, Stena Connecta will also be able to utilize wind power with two 28x4 meter Norsepower Rotor Sails™ that can help save up to 9% in fuel consumption.”
