The introduction of new timetables on Stena Line's Irish Sea North channel route between Belfast and Stranraer did not go completely to plan, with technical issues affecting the newly introduced Stena Navigator in November 2009.

The first sailings, following substantial internal upgrading of the former SeaFrance Manet (1984/15,093gt) by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, started a couple of days later than expected.

A combination of bad weather and bow thruster problems with the vessel then caused further disruption to the service.

As many as seven return sailings a day are now offered, with Stena Navigator increasing capacity for unaccompanied trailers, the 1984-built vessel sharing sailings with Stena Caledonia, built in 1981, and the HSS 1500 catamaran Stena Voyager, whose use has been cut back to just two return trips a day.