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Stena Line takes delivery of first of five new ferries

Ferry company Stena Line has officially taken delivery of the first of five new ferries. The firs...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

13.03 15 Nov 2019


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Stena Line takes delivery of f...

Stena Line takes delivery of first of five new ferries

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

13.03 15 Nov 2019


Share this article


Ferry company Stena Line has officially taken delivery of the first of five new ferries.

The first vessel, the Stena Estrid, will set sail for the Irish Sea shortly.

This follows a handover ceremony at the AVIC Weihai Shipyard in north-western China.

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The first of five next generation Stena Line RoPax vessels under construction, the Stena Estrid will embark on a six-week journey to its new home.

It will begin service on the Dublin to Holyhead route in January 2020.

At 215 metres in length, the Estrid will provide freight capacity of 3,100 lane meters - meaning a 50% increase in freight tonnage - and the space to carry 120 cars and 1,000 passengers and crew.

Following a traditonal blessing of the ship and a signing ceremony, Stena Line officially took ownership of the vessel.

Stena Line Dan Olsson, owner of Stena Line, and CEO Niclas Martensson meet staff of the AVIC Weihai Shipyard in China | Image: Stena Line

The company's technical operations director, Bjarne Koitrand, said: "Today has been six years in the planning, and we are delighted to finally take ownership of the first of our five new ships.

"With the new crew now in place, they can start the long journey to the Irish Sea, where Stena Estrid will make her new home serving customers between Dublin and Holyhead."

Stena Line CEO Niclas Mårtensson said the delivery of Stena Estrid marks the start of a very important few months.

"Taking ownership of Stena Estrid is a major milestone for Stena Line, and is the result of a very significant investment in our Irish Sea operations that reflects our commitment to the region and will ultimately see three of the world’s most modern ferries operating between Ireland and Britain."

A further two of the new ferries are also destined for the Irish Sea - with the Stena Edda expected to begin operations from Belfast to Liverpool next spring.

A third vessel, the Stena Embla, will be introduced on the same route in early 2021.

The introduction in 2020/21 of sister ships will increase freight capacity on the Belfast to Liverpool route by 20%.


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AVIC Weihai Shipyard Belfast To Liverpool Bjarne Koitrand China Dublin To Holyhead New Ferries Niclas Mårtensson Stena Edda Stena Embla Stena Estrid Stena Line

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