Ferry operator Stena Line is bringing its new vessel Stena Estrid back to its key Holyhead-Dublin route.
Stena said the move was being made “with the expectation that travel restrictions between Ireland and Britain will be removed soon”.
The ferry entered service on the Irish Sea route last year.
It will replace the Stena Horizon which will return to its former role serving Rosslare-Cherbourg.
The ships had swapped because of increased freight demand on direct routes to France and low travel volumes between Holyhead and Dublin.
The end of lockdowns resulted in freight volumes increasing again, so the company needs to switch the vessels back to their pre-lockdown roles.
Stena Estrid has capacity to carry 120 cars and 1,000 passengers, plus freight.
It will sail two daily return crossings each way between Holyhead and Dublin, where it is expected that onboard duty-free sales – now available after Brexit – will become very popular.
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Paul Grant, Stena Line’s trade director, said: “With huge pent-up demand for travel between Britain and Ireland, and the added bonus of duty free, now’s the right time to switch Stena Estrid back.
“Stena Horizon will again operate alongside Stena Foreteller on Rosslare-Cherbourg, offering 12 sailings per week to France. We’ve doubled our frequency on our direct services to the continent.”
The final sailing of the Stena Estrid to France will be the 15:00 departure from Cherbourg on May 23. The ship will then reposition for the 20:30 departure from Holyhead to Dublin on May 24.
The last sailing of the Stena Horizon from Dublin to Holyhead will be on May 24.
The vessel will then return to join the Stena Foreteller on the Rosslare-Cherbourg route.