The launch of our new freight service between Dublin and Birkenhead secures an important trade route on the UK/Ireland corridor and further strengthens our position on the Irish Sea.

"We would like to thank the Welsh and UK Governments for granting us freeport status.  We are thrilled by this decision, which is testament to the strength and transformative potential of our bid. This is a significant achievement for the region, and it is an excellent opportunity to drive forward sustainable economic growth, green energy, jobs, and skills. We are delighted for the people of Anglesey and North Wales, and excited about the positive commercial prospects that can be turned into a reality. “Work now begins to ensure that we are capitalising on the unique tax and customs arrangements gained through freeport status, to transform Anglesey into a centre for global trading excellence. To realise its potential as a world-leading economic powerhouse by facilitating trade across Wales, the rest of the UK, and internationally – bolstered by the easing of trade between the island of Ireland and the rest of the EU, via a revitalised GB land-bridge. “Today presents an enormous economic opportunity and we look forward to working with the Welsh and UK Governments to ensure the project delivers for local businesses and communities across North Wales.”

“Over the last decade, Stena Line has invested heavily in its Irish Sea routes with a combination of new tonnage and a range of port facility upgrades. I’m pleased to announce that we have now managed to secure an upgraded vessel from within our fleet, which is fully equipped for the purpose of operating full-time on our popular Fishguard-Rosslare service. 

“Stena Line is determined to see a transformation in investment and economic activity for the Anglesey community. We have been part of this community for over 27 years and want to see this bid succeed. We know it can bring in transformational investment, drive innovation and create high-skilled, high-wage, high-value jobs. It can cement the region as a hub of global trading excellence. “The freeport has many different elements. As well as manufacturing hub it can become a world leader in blue innovation, help the realise the successful vision of the Energy Island Programme and we want to see the establishment of World Customs Academy on the Ynys Môn.”

“The freeport has many different elements. As well as manufacturing hub it can become a world leader in blue innovation, help the realise the successful vision of the Energy Island Programme and we want to see the establishment of World Customs Academy on the Ynys Môn.”

“Anglesey presents a number of unique characteristics which continue to appeal to our long-term business interests; its well-established trade infrastructure alongside a renowned position as a sustainable energy hub are characteristics which make it extremely attractive. Our interest in deploying our Rolls-Royce SMR technology at the Wylfa Newydd nuclear site has been well publicised, and we’re keen that the UK government continues to create conditions which would attract our innovative and deployable solution to North Wales at pace. While Anglesey at present remains attractive to long-term investment, the addition of the proposed freeport could enhance its offer to our business.”

“Our annual dry-docking programme is key to keeping our vessels ship-shape and continue looking so good. It also allows us to be flexible in responding to our customers’ demand, so we’ve taken the opportunity to extend our onboard Duty Free offer, to provide for more products and more bargains for our customers. We are also pleased to offer our first ever dog-friendly cabins. We listened to our many customers who have requested this option and they can now have up to 3 dogs with them in each of our 15 dog-friendly cabins. We looking to forward to welcoming all our customers, including out four-legged friends back on newly refurbished vessels on the North Sea.”

“Like most travel businesses we have experienced a very difficult time over the last 18 months, but now as our passengers start to return in large numbers, we are delighted to be in a position to offer them the added benefit of duty-free shopping on our ships for the first time in over 20 years.  Our expanded onboard shops now offer a great range of items from spirits to jewellery, fragrances to electrics, some at over 50% cheaper than high street prices.”

It is are very exciting time for R&F as we take this next step in our expansion towards becoming a  pan-European travel retailer. Now that full international travel is resuming between Britain and Ireland we expect Duty Free to become hugely popular, with users of both Holyhead and Fishguard ports. We are confident that we can offer the best prices on the market due to our purchase volumes and we look forward to welcoming travelers with great deals and fantastic offers.

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.