Stena Line’s latest addition to its fleet, the brand new Stena Embla, arrived in Belfast on 2 January and will complete preparatory works before going into commercial service on the popular Belfast to Liverpool route, joining sister vessel Stena Edda, which launched on the same route in March 2020 and will replace the Stena Mersey.
Stena Embla is the third E-Flexer ferry to be commissioned for Stena Line’s Irish Sea routes in the last 12 months (the third ship, Stena Estrid, operates on the Dublin to Holyhead route).
Three of the most modern ferries in the world, each has the capacity to carry 1,000 passengers, 120 cars and with 3,100 freight lane meters.
Stena Embla will join her sistership on the popular Belfast-Liverpool route later this month. Stena Embla has the capacity to carry 1,000 passengers, 120 cars and with 3,100 freight lane meters, it will increase Belfast-Liverpool freight capacity by 20 per cent and raise passenger capacity by 33 per cent.
Despite a difficult year for business, Stena Line has remained resolute in its ongoing commitment to driving freight and travel business in the region and the introduction of Stena Embla means that the company has now invested over £400m in its ferries and port facilities on the Irish Sea in recent years.
Paul Grant, Stena Line’s Irish Sea Trade Director said: “The arrival in Belfast of our newly built Stena Embla is yet another important milestone in the ongoing enhancement programme of our Irish Sea services.
“We have now invested over £400m in our ferries and port facilities on the Irish Sea in recent years.
“The Belfast-Liverpool route is one of the most popular Irish Sea crossings for both freight and leisure traffic so having a second vessel of the calibre of Stena Embla, with a host of high-quality passenger facilities, will further increase its appeal and expand our capacity.
“In March 2020 we launched our new build Stena Edda onto the Belfast-Liverpool service and the feedback from our freight and leisure customers was extremely positive.
“Now we will have two ships offering identical services and facilities which will help take our service levels on the route to new heights.
“We have real confidence in the future of our Belfast services and our Irish Sea routes in general, which is why this region has attracted three brand new ships in the last 12 months alone.”
Stena Embla will make one daily return trip between Belfast and Liverpool.
