The vessel was built at the Guangzhou Wenchong shipyard in China for Norfolk Line, originally being named Maersk Anglia.
The ship was built in 2000 for Merchant Ferries as Midnight Merchant for a planned service between Liverpool and Belfast, however the ship was chartered to Norfolkline for their new service between Dover and Dunkirk and remained on that route until July 2006 when she was replaced by one of three new ships for the service.
This service was discontinued by Superfast Ferries in September 2008, but recommenced in May 2009 under the new operator Norfolkline.
The current service replaces a passenger and freight service that was operated by Norfolkline from 18 May 2009 until 15 December 2010 (and initially operated by Superfast Ferries between May 2002 and September 2008).