An additional ro-ro on Stena Line's Belfast routes

The company has chartered Seatruck Ferry's Panorama which will start operating across the Belfast-Liverpool and Belfast-Heysham services as of 2 September.

The 142 m-long and 23 m-wide vessel offers 1,830 lane metres of cargo capacity. She'll add ten weekly sailings to Stena Line's traffic between Northern Ireland and England (up to 56 crossings to/from Belfast), increasing the trade lane's freight capacity by 28%.

"Adding a seventh ship to our Belfast operations will help us increase frequency, capacity and give us greater operational flexibility. This extra ship will be capable of operating to Liverpool and Heysham thus ensuring that we can better match demand and the needs of customers," Paul Grant, Stena Line Trade Director (Irish Sea), said.

He added, "It has been a very challenging time for the freight industry, but we are confident that having additional capacity available on these important trading routes between England and Northern Ireland will help us provide an enhanced sailing schedule for our customers."

The company also underlined in a press release, "During the summer months, Stena Line has seen an increase in freight demand and anticipates that extra capacity is required for the traditionally busy Autumn period as well as the expected increase in pre-Brexit trade activity."

Photo: Stena Line