From the Archive
This picture from 1988 shows Stena’s Scandinavica laid up in Dunkerque. As you could read in the news, she’s now going to sail as Prince in the Adriatic. Not bad for a 45-year old veteran.
Stena Line Takes Delivery of New Ferry Stena Estrid
Stena Line has officially taken ownership of its newest ferry STENA ESTRID following a handover ceremony at the China Merchants Jinling Ship (Weihai) Co., Ltd. (formerly AVIC Weihai Shipyard).
STENA ESTRID is the first of five next generation Stena Line ropax vessels that are currently being constructed. STENA ESTRID will now embark on a six-week journey to its new home on the Irish Sea, where it will begin service on the Dublin to Holyhead route in January 2020.
Stena Line owner Dan Sten Olsson attended a service officiated by the Reverend Stephen Miller of the Mission to Seafarers, who undertook the long held maritime tradition of blessing the ship, in order to bring it good luck at sea.
Following the signing ceremony, Stena Line’s Technical Operations Director Bjarne Koitrand and STENA ESTRID’s Senior Master Matthew Lynch and crew officially took ownership of the vessel.
Stena Line CEO Niclas Mårtensson said that the delivery of STENA ESTRID marks the start of a very important few months for Stena Line’s Irish Sea operations: “Taking ownership is a major milestone for Stena Line,” said Mr Mårtensson, “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 first-class customer experience is a priority for us, so we are determined to deliver the best possible freight and travel service to our customers. STENA ESTRID will provide a more environmentally sustainable way to travel with more efficient loading and unloading operations, increased freight capacity and the best Scandinavian quality, style and design in our facilities,” he added.
STENA 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.
Stena Lines pilot project using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to predict the most fuel-efficient way to operate a vessel has shown to be successful. The results show a reduced fuel consumption by 2-3 % per trip. The technology will now be launched on more vessels.
Stena Line’s Germany Lines Up Ten Percent
Sweden continues to attract German visitors and Stena Line’s three Germany lines showed a substantial increase during the summer’s important peak season.
A cheap Swedish currency and favourable weather account for the largest increase in German arrivals. From Sweden, the increase comes from the passenger trains on the Trelleborg lines.
The Trelleborg lines to Rostock and Sassnitz are served by ferries and during the summer the demand for train travel has increased tremendously. Berlin has become a very hot destination for city trips by train.
Reality Of The Brexit Frontline At Holyhead Port – From The People Who Know
Stena Line South Irish Sea route director Ian Davies gives his opinion on D-Day, or rather B-Day.
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AI assisted vessels to save fuel, Battery power propulsion, huge reduction of single use plastic on board, continued low level of crew and passenger accidents and an increased rate of female leaders. That are some of the highlights in Stena Lines sustainability review for 2018.
Its third review “A Sustainable Journey” describes initiatives, improvements and challenges in the operations from the sustainability perspective as well as results on their ambitious sustainability targets. The review also highlights the main initiatives the company has worked on during the past year.
The second vessel under construction at the Avic Weihai Shipyard has been floated out.
She will be named STENA EDDA, after an old Norse term that refers to a central medieval collection of poems and divine mythology.
STENA EDDA is scheduled to enter service on the Belfast-Liverpool route in spring 2020.
This is the second of three new E-Flexer vessels bound for the Irish Sea during 2020 and 2021.
In addition to the three Irish Sea vessels, Stena Line has also ordered a further two E-Flexer ro-pax vessels with a larger design (3,600 lane metre), to be deployed within Stena Line’s network in 2022.
A Slice Of Hollywood For Holyhead
Holyhead could soon have its own version of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks if ambitious plans by Stena Line get the go ahead.
Stena Line, who own and operate Holyhead Port, want to erect a 30m ‘HOLYHEAD’ sign near the lighthouse at South Stack similar to the world-famous HOLLYWOOD sign which has provided the Californian city with an instantly recognisable global identity for the last 95 years.
As a part of the ongoing development of Stena Line’s Irish Sea route network, the STENA FORECASTER is transferred from Stena RoRo to Stena Line and entered service on the Belfast – Liverpool route on Tuesday, 12 February 2019.
STENA FORERUNNER will transfer back to the North Sea and will operate on Rotterdam-Killingholme.
Stena Line Inaugurates Onshore Power Supply In Oslo
Stena Line is the first ferry company to connect to the onshore power supply connection in the Port of Oslo. STENA SAGA will now be connecting to the electricity grid during calls into port.
Stena has been working with onshore power supply connections since 1989 and is a pioneer within this area. With STENA SAGA, 14 of Stena Lines’ 38 vessels can now connect to green electricity when in port.
The ‘cold ironing’ is expected to result in a saving of just over 1,400 tonnes of fuel per year.
