Stena Line withdrawing Rosslare to Cherbourg service

stena-line-withdrawing-rosslare-to-cherbourg-service

Stena Line is withdrawing its three-day Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry service from the end of September.

The company said it took the decision following a “strategic route review” and that “these plans have been developed after an extensive review with the intention of strengthening the company’s investment in the Irish Sea, whilst delivering the most efficient use of the company’s resources”.

Stena Line Trade Director Johan Edelman said the company has “already met with our colleagues and over this period of consultation we will be working with any individual affected to consider all options, including redeployment opportunities”.

“As we work through this change we will continue to support our colleagues at every stage,” he said.

It is unclear at this stage whether the route closure will result in any job losses.

The ferry operator said its customer-service team will liaise with customers who have booked travel on the route for after September.

Stena Line said that despite the removal of the Rosslare-Cherbourg route, it will “continue to strengthen its Irish Sea network”.

“We have recently announced investments of almost £40 million in our Liverpool and Belfast terminals, as well as the upgrading of the Fishguard Port infrastructure.

“We will also be increasing capacity across the Irish Sea with two new freight vessels planned for the Belfast – Heysham route and an additional freight vessel for the Dublin – Liverpool route.”

In a statement Rosslare Europort said it regrets the decision of Stena Line to withdraw from the Rosslare Europort to Cherbourg route from later this year.

It said Stena Line has been and remains a valued partner of Rosslare Europort on both European and UK routes, and port management look forward to continuing the partnership with them on the Cherbourg route over its remaining months, and on an ongoing basis on the Rosslare to Fishguard route.

The statment also said Rosslare Europort continues to see record demand and volumes overall, up 14% in freight volume and up 10% in passenger numbers in 2025 year to date, over a previous record year in 2024.

Frequency of direct European sailings have increased from six weekly pre-Brexit to up to 36 weekly today, with a range of operators and partner ports offering choice and flexibility to port customers, it added.

Glenn Carr, Director of Commercial Business Units for Iarnród Éireann – Port Authority for Rosslare Europort – said “while we are sorry to see Stena Line withdraw from the Rosslare Europort to Cherbourg route, we understand its decision relates to its own strategic priorities to focus on Irish Sea routes.

“We have already received queries and will immediately engage with other operators to ensure our record European frequency of up to 36 sailings per week is maintained, and we are confident we will continue to offer frequency and choice to trade and tourism customers alike,” said Mr Carr.

“With ongoing investment under the port Masterplan and, with the OPW in the T7 Border Control Point facilities, our focus remains on expanding and improving services and facilities through Ireland’s Gateway to Europe. In addition, we will soon be submitting a planning application for the onshore hub facilities to support Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy developments in the Celtic and Irish Seas.”

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