Stena Line has signed a new deal with Peel Ports to operate its 12 Quays port and ferry terminal in Birkenhead until the beginning of 2100.

Stena Embla

Stena Embla

Source: Stena Line

The Stena Line and Peel Ports port operations deal at Birkenhead will run up until 2100

The Swedish company has operated twice daily ferry services to Belfast since 2011 and this new deal will see it continue to operate there for at least another 77 years, solidifying the success of the working partnership formed between the two companies.

”After 12 successful years in 12 Quays our business in Birkenhead continues to flourish year-after-year. This deal is a sign of our long-term commitment to Birkenhead and Peel Ports, with whom we have a very strong partnership,” said Niclas Martensson, CEO of Stena Line.

“We will continue to make significant investments to increase our services to our customers across the Irish Sea.”

Successul approach

Stena Line operates six routes and 12 vessels across the region and Birkenhead has been a key focus for investment in recent years.

In 2021 and 2022 Stena Line launched two new E-Flexer ferries on their Birkenhead to Belfast service, Stena Edda and Stena Embla. These brand-new state-of-the-art ferries increased passenger and freight capacity on the route to Belfast by a third.

Subsequently Stena Line has made further investments with the recent purchase of two sites adjacent to the 12 Quays Terminal, to provide additional freight storage for its freight customers as they continue to expand their businesses there.

“We have built a highly successful partnership with Stena Line over the years for the developing of services across the Irish Sea, and we are delighted this long-term agreement reaffirms our commitment to enable further investment into Birkenhead and the Mersey cluster,” said David Huck, chief operating officer at Peel Ports Group

The value of the deal has not been disclosed.