Stena Line unveils £14m upgrade across Irish Sea fleet

Superfast VII - Belfast to Cairnryan route

Stena Line is investing approximately £14 million to upgrade and modernise its Irish Sea fleet, with passengers and freight customers set to benefit from improved onboard comfort, expanded facilities and enhanced travel experiences across key routes.

The major investment programme will see extensive refits carried out across vessels operating between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, reinforcing the ferry operator’s role as a critical transport link for both travellers and trade.

Major investment targets passenger experience across key routes

The Irish Sea fleet consists of 11 vessels serving high-demand crossings including Belfast to Cairnryan, Birkenhead (Liverpool) and Heysham, alongside Dublin to Birkenhead and Holyhead, and Rosslare to Fishguard.

These routes play a vital role in connecting communities while supporting the movement of goods between Ireland and Great Britain, making the upgrade programme significant for both regional travel and the wider economy.

Cabins, lounges and family areas set for upgrades

Planned improvements include refurbished cabins, an increased number of pet-friendly accommodation options, and upgraded Stena Plus lounges designed to deliver a more premium onboard experience.

Family facilities are also being enhanced, with upgraded entertainment areas aimed at improving journeys for those travelling with children.

The changes reflect a broader push to modernise onboard environments while catering to evolving customer expectations around comfort, flexibility and accessibility.

Company highlights focus on reliability and customer feedback

Mark Scouler, Stena Line Fleet Manager Irish Sea, said the investment highlights the company’s continued focus on maintaining high standards across its operations.

“This investment demonstrates our dedication to delivering the highest standards of safety, efficiency, comfort and reliability for our customers. By upgrading and modernising our vessels, we ensure that Stena Line remains the leader for the Irish Sea freight and travel market.

“We continually seek to invest in our vessels and provide a premium sustainable service for all our customers.”

Orla Noonan, Commercial Travel Manager, added that customer feedback had played a key role in shaping the upgrade programme.

“This investment reflects our commitment to continuously improving the onboard experience for our customers. By acting on feedback, we have delivered a range of enhancements - from upgraded family entertainment and contemporary lounge spaces to expanded pet facilities.

“We are passionate about delivering an excellent travel experience and this substantial programme of work allows us to meet and exceed our customer’s expectations.”

Critical transport link strengthened for future demand

Stena Line’s Irish Sea operations remain a cornerstone of regional connectivity, supporting both leisure travel and freight transport between Ireland and Great Britain.

The £14 million investment signals continued confidence in the network’s long-term importance, with upgraded vessels expected to enhance reliability, improve passenger satisfaction and support growing demand across the routes in the years ahead.

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At a glance

• Stena Line investing approximately £14 million in Irish Sea fleet upgrades

• Improvements span 11 vessels across key UK and Ireland routes

• Routes include Belfast, Cairnryan, Liverpool, Heysham, Dublin and Rosslare

• Upgrades include cabins, lounges and family entertainment areas

• More pet-friendly cabins to be introduced

• Investment supports both passenger travel and freight movement

• Customer feedback helped shape improvements

• Programme aims to boost comfort, reliability and overall experience