29^th June 2011 saw the UK Competition Commission (CC) follow the lead set by its Irish counterpart and formally approve Stena Line’s takeover of the DFDS routes between Birkenhead and Belfast and Heysham and Belfast. The approval concluded sixth months worth of discussions, investigations and rulings.

During this time, the two routes had been operated by a separate company, known as Stena Line Irish Sea Ferries. Under the terms of the CC investigation Stena Line were not allowed to integrate any areas of this business into the wider company until such times as the CC cleared the acquisition.

The formal approval of the acquisition on 29^th June, meant that Stena Line could now commence the task of integration. This integration includes everything from signage, to back office functionality, to new booking systems and even reprogramming the tills on board ship.

Stena Line’s plan is for all aspects of this integration to be completed at the same time, in order to provide a seamless transition for both passenger and freight customers alike. They are currently making good progress and targeting the first week in September for the final changes to go live, and for the routes to be fully integrated.

However, some changes have already been noticeable. The four ships across the two routes have already been renamed and are now known as the Stena Mersey, Stena Lagan, Stena Scotia and Stena Hibernia. Whilst new names, some fresh signage, and ultimately a fresh coat of paint may be all the passenger customers will notice, things are a little different on the freight side.

Changes to computer systems will mean a difference in the booking process, reference numbers and the invoicing system, whilst there will also be differences in fuel surcharges, hazardous surcharges and out of gauge load processing and charges.

As these changes filter through, and Birkenhead – Belfast and Heysham – Belfast become fully integrated into the wider Stena Line route network, it can now be clearly seen that nearly 12 months of uncertainty and upheaval on the Irish Sea is drawing to a close.