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A combination of greater efficiency and reduced costs helped Stena Line return to profit last year for the first time since 1995. It said the £8.5 million profit, an increase of £7.5 million, was also helped by buoyant freight business on the Irish Sea.

Stena Line route director Vic Goodwin, responsible for the company’s routes from Wales to Ireland, which also returned to profit last year, said car carryings were static but freight on the Holyhead-Dublin and Fishguard-Rosslare routes rose almost 50% and 10% respectively.

Goodwin added: "While we carried the same number of cars last year as in 2003, this has to be seen against the increasing competition from other ferry operators and low-cost airlines, and rising fuel prices."

He attributed much of Stena’s success to the mix of conventional and fast ferries the company operates.

There is an HSS fast ferry from Dublin to Dun Laoghaire, a traditional ferry from Holyhead to Dublin Port and a traditional ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare.

In addition, the Stena Express fast-ferry started its summer season from Fishguard at the end of April, following a £1 million refit. It runs until September 25, offering three return crossings a day, each just under two hours.

Prices start at £109 one-way for a car plus two adults. Five-day returns cost from £179.

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