Stena Line has announced that it will add an additional freight-only vessel to its Rosslare to Cherbourg route from January 4, 2021.
The Stena Foreteller will join the Stena Horizon, which already operates on the route, doubling the freight capacity as well as the frequency of sailings between Ireland and continental Europe.
The Stena Foreteller will provide an additional 3,000 lane metres of freight capacity per trip and can accommodate a mix of accompanied and unaccompanied traffic with onboard facilities for up to 12 freight drivers.
Stena CEO Statement
In statement published on Stena Line's website, the company's CEO, Niclas Mårtensson, said, "We have been listening carefully to feedback from our customers and it has become clear that there is demand for increased frequency on the Rosslare-Cherbourg service, the shortest direct crossing between Ireland and France.
"One of Stena Line's key strengths is our ability to utilise our fleet and be flexible and responsive to market opportunities and changes. On the Irish Sea, we are very well-positioned to cover the requirements of the freight and logistics sector, with a choice of six routes serving Britain and Europe via landbridge or our direct crossings to France.
"Now with 12 weekly crossings connecting Rosslare and Cherbourg and up to 240 sailings per week throughout the Irish Sea region, we offer transport organisations and their customers the flexibility, availability and reliability required to get their goods to market in the most convenient way."
Rosslare Europort General Manager Statement
Meanwhile, Rosslare Europort general manager Glenn Carr commented, "We warmly welcome Stena Line's decision to double Rosslare to Cherbourg services from the beginning of 2021. It reflects the strength of the partnership between Rosslare Europort and Stena Line in providing shipping solutions to Irish industry, and the commitment of Stena Line reinforces our ambitious commitments to continue the development of port facilities, infrastructure and technology under the strategic plan and masterplan for the port. Rosslare Europort is now firmly Ireland's gateway to Europe and a central strategic link connecting the country and the European continent."
© 2020 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
