Ferry operator Stena Line has reported a record year for freight volumes in and out of Belfast Harbour on its routes across the North Channel to Scotland and the Irish Sea to England with approximately 587,000 units being transported in 2023.

Stena Line moved to Belfast Harbour in 1995 and the Company has invested significantly in developing and improving its Irish Sea operations, with three routes connecting Cairnryan, Birkenhead (Liverpool), as well as a dedicated freight only route to Heysham. Combined these routes are operated by seven ships using Victoria Terminals 1/2 and 4 in Belfast Harbour on a daily basis with the port also serving as Stena Line’s Irish Sea headquarters.

The announcement follows an unveiling of a portrait of Stena Line owner and Chairman, Dan Sten Olsson, specially commissioned by Belfast Harbour which took place at their Harbour Office in Corporation Square to celebrate the significant contribution the Swedish company has made to the Port and Region over the last three decades.

The portrait by local artist Ken Hamilton was commissioned by Belfast Harbour to acknowledge the impact and the investment of Stena Line has made to the development of the port in recent years.

At an event held in Belfast’s Harbour Office, Dan Sten Olsson said: “I am honoured to be presented with a portrait by Belfast Harbour Commissioners. Over the years, Stena Line has developed a strong relationship and affinity with Belfast and the local community. Personally, I did my first business in Belfast over 50 years ago and have been committed to Northern Ireland ever since.”

Northern Ireland is a strategically important region for Stena Line and our solid partnership with Belfast Harbour has been instrumental in our construction of one of our largest passenger and freight hubs in our European network.

“We look forward to what the future brings for the routes and to working with the harbour to continuously improve our services for our customers.”

Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners said: “Stena Line is one of Belfast Harbour’s most important strategic partners and plays an integral role in the life of Belfast Harbour and our local economy. We considered it would be a fitting tribute to recognise the contribution and commitment that Dan has made personally to the Company’s growth in Belfast with a portrait of him to be displayed in the Harbour Office.”

“Dan has been a great friend to Belfast Harbour and the City and Region over the last 30 years. We look forward to the continued success of our partnership as Stena Line expands and develops its freight and passenger services in the future.”

Last year, Stena Line announced a multi-million pound investment in two hybrid ‘NewMax’ RoRo freight vessels for the Belfast-Heysham route, which will boost capacity by 80%. Construction on the newbuilds commenced in China earlier this month, with the first scheduled NewMax newbuild to enter the route in Autumn, 2025.