Stena Line’s newest ferry Stena Estrid has departed the AVIC Weihai Shipyard, bound for its new home on the Irish Sea.
Stena Estrid is the first of five next generation Stena Line ropax vessels to be completed.
Manned by a much-reduced crew of 27, with no passengers on board, the ship will travel on a journey of well over 10,000 miles.
The first stage of the voyage is a week-long 2,657 nautical miles trip across the South China and then East China Sea to Singapore, travelling at an economical speed of 17 knots which, uniquely to Estrid and her sister ships, can be achieved by running just one of its 12600kW main engines, thus minimising fuel consumption.
Estrid will then proceed through the Malacca Straits to Sri Lanka, before crossing the Indian Ocean and making its way to the Suez Canal.
Once through the Suez Canal, the ship will head west across the Mediterranean Sea, continuing at 15 knots until it reaches Gibraltar where it will stop for more fuel and provisions, and to welcome more crew members who will undertake familiarisation and training during the final leg of the journey.
Once in Holyhead, final preparations will begin to get Estrid ready to start service on the route in mid-January.
