Irish Ferries Enthusiasts | Forum

Irish Ferries Enthusiasts => The News Board => Topic started by: Steven on February 15, 2017, 01:34:57 PM

Title: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Steven on February 15, 2017, 01:34:57 PM
Quote-Introducing the world's most fuel efficient RoPax vessels-

(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16649217_1141628312621168_2200009216867094041_n.jpg?oh=061a2f301e9249ce911f39a6f0cf37c4&oe=5949976D)

Last year Stena announced a newbuild contract of four RoPax ferry vessels with a planned delivery schedule during 2019 and 2020.  The contract also contains an option for another four vessels to be ordered.  The four vessels are being built at the AVIC Shipyard in China and the plan is to locate the vessels on the Irish Sea, specifically on Stena Line's routes to and from its expanding Belfast hub.

"The routes to and from Belfast are strategically very important to Stena Line and during the last number of years we have made significant investments in ports and vessels to improve and develop our capacity offering a frequent high quality service for our customers to and from Belfast. Looking ahead, we intend to continue our ambitious development plan for our business in the region and the new vessels are a part of this strategic plan.   During the last few years we have seen a steady growth in freight and passenger volumes and we believe this will continue. Last year was a record year for us when we for the first time carried over 500,000 freight units through Belfast Port.  These new vessels will be the largest ferries ever to operate between Belfast and Great Britain", said Stena Line's CEO Niclas Mårtensson.

Joe O'Neill, Commercial Director, Belfast Harbour commented: "We are delighted that Stena Line is planning for Belfast as the location for its next generation of RoPax vessels in what is a significant investment in and enhancement of Northern Ireland's premier freight and tourism gateway.  Belfast Harbour has worked in close partnership with Stena Line over the last two decades to help it expand its Belfast routes into a flourishing hub and this very welcome investment news comes on the back of a record year for Stena Line's freight business in Belfast Harbour.  We look forward to welcoming the new vessels and the associated benefits they will bring to Belfast Harbour and the economy of Northern Ireland."

The new vessels are being constructed in line with Stena Line's strategic focus on sustainability.

"The new RoPax vessels will be among the most fuel efficient in the world with approximately 25% lower CO2 emissions per cargo unit than current RoPax tonnage.  Our aim is to lead the development of sustainability within the shipping industry and set a new industry standard when it comes to operational performance, emissions and cost competiveness.  The vessels will run on traditional fuel, but are designed to the class notation "gas ready" and are also prepared for scrubbers as well as catalytic converters, giving us flexibility for the future", says Niclas Mårtensson.

Stena Line, Gothenburg
15th February 2017
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: NathanBrady on February 15, 2017, 04:19:31 PM
Stena Brexitica I-IV??  We are stuck with Superfast X
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Steven on February 15, 2017, 05:27:31 PM
Quote from: NathanBrady on February 15, 2017, 04:19:31 PM
Stena Brexitica I-IV??  We are stuck with Superfast X
A return to regional names such as Stena Antrim and Stena Galloway would be my preference (I've given up all hope of a return to the 'pPrincess' nomenclature).  Whether marketing have the same opinion though is another matter!  For now it certainly looks as though the lineup of Adventurer and Superfast X will remain at Dub.  Interesting though that Stena are planning to increase freight capacity at LRP by 50% if schedules remain the same or similar to present.  927 passengers per ship could be a bit tight at certain times though!  Of course if that increased capacity is used then it creates another problem - turning around 50% more freight within the same turnaround time (again, assuming the current sailing frequency remains)
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Matt73 on February 15, 2017, 05:37:11 PM
Quote from: Steven on February 15, 2017, 05:27:31 PM
Quote from: NathanBrady on February 15, 2017, 04:19:31 PM
Stena Brexitica I-IV??  We are stuck with Superfast X
A return to regional names such as Stena Antrim and Stena Galloway would be my preference (I've given up all hope of a return to the 'pPrincess' nomenclature).  Whether marketing have the same opinion though is another matter!  For now it certainly looks as though the lineup of Adventurer and Superfast X will remain at Dub.  Interesting though that Stena are planning to increase freight capacity at LRP by 50% if schedules remain the same or similar to present.  927 passengers per ship could be a bit tight at certain times though!  Of course if that increased capacity is used then it creates another problem - turning around 50% more freight within the same turnaround time (again, assuming the current sailing frequency remains)

Thanks Steven, again, for this.  I know that we're off topic, but I thought that the abuse directed towards you elsewhere was totally unacceptable.

I did have a laugh when I read Nathan's suggestion.  Like Steven, I would prefer a return to the old names.  My preference would be Stena Galloway and Stena Caldedonia. I presume they will continue with Mersey and Lagan for Liverpool.  I like the E-Flexer name for the class too.  That said, I wish the funnel was less squat.  Maybe replicate the Superfast's instead? 

Is there any mutter in the gutter about whether they will order another four to try and renew the fleet in Scandinavia?  Given the price they're paying for these four, they will surely recoup the cost fairly easily? 

Thanks.

Matt

Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Davy Jones on February 15, 2017, 05:41:46 PM
Obviously the 2 chartered Superfasts will be returned to their owners. What could we envisage will happen to Stenas Lagan and Mersey. Nice economical runners, but not easily deployed on short, fast turnaround routes due to their single tier stern only loading arrangements - or could they be modified?
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Matt73 on February 15, 2017, 05:54:43 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 15, 2017, 05:41:46 PM
Obviously the 2 chartered Superfasts will be returned to their owners. What could we envisage will happen to Stenas Lagan and Mersey. Nice economical runners, but not easily deployed on short, fast turnaround routes due to their single tier stern only loading arrangements - or could they be modified?

Stena RoRo may well apply their 'Stenability' there and get them converted to drive through with bow doors.  Or maybe they'll go to Scandinavia, where their sisters, Scottish Viking and Stena Flavia, are already in place. 

Matt
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Matt73 on February 15, 2017, 05:57:39 PM
Quote from: Steven on February 15, 2017, 05:27:31 PM
Quote from: NathanBrady on February 15, 2017, 04:19:31 PM
Stena Brexitica I-IV??  We are stuck with Superfast X
A return to regional names such as Stena Antrim and Stena Galloway would be my preference (I've given up all hope of a return to the 'pPrincess' nomenclature).  Whether marketing have the same opinion though is another matter!  For now it certainly looks as though the lineup of Adventurer and Superfast X will remain at Dub.  Interesting though that Stena are planning to increase freight capacity at LRP by 50% if schedules remain the same or similar to present.  927 passengers per ship could be a bit tight at certain times though!  Of course if that increased capacity is used then it creates another problem - turning around 50% more freight within the same turnaround time (again, assuming the current sailing frequency remains)

Am I right that the Loch Ryan pair are the first new conventional builds for the route since Galloway Princess in 1979?  I don't place the HSS in the same category. 

Matt
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Steven on February 15, 2017, 06:16:47 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 15, 2017, 05:41:46 PM
Obviously the 2 chartered Superfasts will be returned to their owners. What could we envisage will happen to Stenas Lagan and Mersey. Nice economical runners, but not easily deployed on short, fast turnaround routes due to their single tier stern only loading arrangements - or could they be modified?
Obvious places would be Ireland to France, or replace other chartered visentini's (Scottish Viking for example).  Theres also Urd of course.  Wild card could be Fishguard, would certainly get operating costs down and remember they can take 1000 passengers (but operate at reduced pax certificate for passenger comfort on the long crossing at present).  As for turnaround's, IF have managed it with Epsilon (to my surprise).  As for the Superfasts, as I said in the other thread, if they were available for the right price they could have their uses. 

Quote from: Matt73 on February 15, 2017, 05:57:39 PM



Quote from: Steven on February 15, 2017, 05:27:31 PM
Quote from: NathanBrady on February 15, 2017, 04:19:31 PM
Stena Brexitica I-IV??  We are stuck with Superfast X
A return to regional names such as Stena Antrim and Stena Galloway would be my preference (I've given up all hope of a return to the 'pPrincess' nomenclature).  Whether marketing have the same opinion though is another matter!  For now it certainly looks as though the lineup of Adventurer and Superfast X will remain at Dub.  Interesting though that Stena are planning to increase freight capacity at LRP by 50% if schedules remain the same or similar to present.  927 passengers per ship could be a bit tight at certain times though!  Of course if that increased capacity is used then it creates another problem - turning around 50% more freight within the same turnaround time (again, assuming the current sailing frequency remains)

Am I right that the Loch Ryan pair are the first new conventional builds for the route since Galloway Princess in 1979?  I don't place the HSS in the same category. 

Matt
Yes.  Who'd have thought also when Irish Continental had to pull the plug on Belfast to Liverpool in 1990 we'd be discussing the third pair of new builds for the route (ignoring the second Norse Mersey) less than 30 years later!
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: giftgrub on February 15, 2017, 09:13:03 PM
Great news to see the first four ships coming to the Irish Sea, must be the biggest investment in Irish shipping ever.

Looking forward to seeing how they will configure the ships as day and night ferries for the two different routes.

It will also give the forums and the Facebook plenty to talk about !

With regards to converting Visentinis for bow loading as far as I know, Stena looked at that before when they bought the ships from TTT LINE and Stena Egeria andthe costs were going to be too much to justify it.
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: market knowledge on February 16, 2017, 09:56:03 AM
where does it say 2 of the ships will be on cairnryan
could stena use all 4 to birkinhead and abandon heysham
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Davy Jones on February 16, 2017, 01:20:40 PM
I wouldnt think there is enough passenger traffic to justify 4 vessels of this nature on the Liverpool-Belfast service.

I recently travelled to Belfast  and back on Stena Horizon. Both freight decks were fully sardined but there wern't many travellers.

They could of course, kill Heysham anyway and just use the existing freight vessels direct to Liverpool or Birkenhead - or even Mostyn.

Assuming they do put 2 of the new ships on Belfast - Loch Ryan, it is going to give P&O something to think about.
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: TC on February 16, 2017, 08:21:31 PM
This is indeed not good for P&O. Stena are in-effect increasing capacity by 30% on each sailing from Cairnryan. I understand the situation at Larne has improved and reliability was 'A1' last year, not one cancelation, but this is indeed very troubling.

Stena, I imagine will try and undercut P&O on price, given these new ships are more efficient than Highlander / Causeway, they may well succeed. - If so, Larne is in serious, serious trouble. P&O will likely not be able to compete and lose customers, which will result in ships leaving port at half capacity, which is simply unsustainable. 

European Highlander and European Causeway could easily be transferred to Dover, replacing possibly European Seaway and Pride of Burgundy.
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Steven on February 16, 2017, 09:30:19 PM
Quote from: market knowledge on February 16, 2017, 09:56:03 AM
where does it say 2 of the ships will be on cairnryan
could stena use all 4 to birkinhead and abandon heysham

The use of "routes" in the plural sense suggests more than one route.  There is absolutely no chance of them fitting Heysham, so that leaves Birkenhead and Cairnryan.  Loads at Heysham are good so I dont see them pulling out, though they may have a tonnage problem if Seatruck take back the FSG's at the end of their current charters.  Warrenpoint continues to grow, and its location next to the Irish border means it could stand to gain quite a bit depending on how Brexit goes - remember much of the traffic coming from NI to Dublin has to pass Warrenpoint first.

Quote from: TC on February 16, 2017, 08:21:31 PMwhich will result in ships leaving port at half capacity,
:-X

Quote from: TC on February 16, 2017, 08:21:31 PM
This is indeed not good for P&O. Stena are in-effect increasing capacity by 30% on each sailing from Cairnryan. I understand the situation at Larne has improved and reliability was 'A1' last year, not one cancelation, but this is indeed very troubling.

Stena, I imagine will try and undercut P&O on price, given these new ships are more efficient than Highlander / Causeway, they may well succeed. - If so, Larne is in serious, serious trouble. P&O will likely not be able to compete and lose customers, which will result in ships leaving port at half capacity, which is simply unsustainable. 

European Highlander and European Causeway could easily be transferred to Dover, replacing possibly European Seaway and Pride of Burgundy.

P&O should be very concerned, and not just by the capacity increase at Cairnryan either.  Stena's capacity increases at both Birkenhead and Heysham (in response to a growing shift of traffic to the English routes) in recent years along with the rise of Seatruck's Warrenpoint operation make P&O's decision to abandon the diagonal route from Larne look very short-sighted indeed.  Yes Fleetwood was constrained, but did they seriously look at alternatives?  The management of the day have a lot to answer for IMO, and not just in regard to the Irish Sea (but thats another conversation entirely).  Now even more capacity is being added and thats before we see what Seatruck do down at Warrenpoint.  It is also notable that P&O at present have the advantage of being able to carry more high trailers than Stena - an advantage that will disappear when these new builds arrive.  If nothing else Stena's costs look likely to plummet (dont forget the Superfast VII class's running costs, and not just in fuel either!).

Causeway and Highlander would need a lot of money spent on them to be suitable for Dover IMO, simply from a passenger capacity point of view (410 vs 2000 at present).  Unless of course passenger numbers take a nose dive post-brexit, which tbh I dont see happening the extent required (arguably a better response might be to reduce sailing frequency in any case, particularly if freight levels drop as well) and would pose serious problems for the operation of the current Dover tonnage for both operators.

I understand it would be possible to enlarge Causeway and Highlander (there was talk that such an option has previously been looked at on the present route when the idea of carrying most passengers on a fast craft backfired,  but was ruled out due to size constraints/draught).  I doubt that they were designed with the intention of increasing their PC five-fold though!  At best, they would be a stop-gap option for a lot of expenditure I feel for hulls that are just 10 years younger than those they'd replace (bare in mind also that PoK etc were rebuilt at a similar time as the Mitsubishi's entering service).  Then the question is what do P&O do at Larne?  They could abandon it, yes, but then they have started to make headway again with volumes.  Perhaps with Stena increasing capacity so much we could see a revised timetable - both operators could benefit greatly from dropping a return trip and have the capacity to do so.  Its a question of who jumps first and whether the other operator follows suit or tries to gain an advantage.  With 4 new ships coming to Belfast and at least 1 to the central corridor in the next 5 years we should have plenty to talk about on here (and many trips for some of us to book!!!).
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: TC on February 16, 2017, 10:39:02 PM
Could European Causeway not simply replace European Seaway (after modification of stern & cow catcher)? She is a freighter and replacing a freighter with a freighter shouldn't impact on passenger experience.

Regarding European Highlander, I imagine she could be centralised on just taking passengers with cars, focusing largely on freight. Naturally, berthing mods would be required.

P&O have worked very hard this past year. The dropping of Troon and the costly HSC Express, has allowed P&O to cut costs, also helped by the shorter crossing times and the more frugal nature of their ships vs the Superfast twins. However, like you said Steven, this goes completely out the window. Stena even market these new ships as the most efficient in the world!

If P&O moved the Highlander and Causeway to Dover, replaced them at Larne with vessels more frugal than their new Stena counterparts, then their ability to compete will be much better. However there is still the capacity increase - is this sustainable? Stena are going from 2000 to 3000, a large increase. To put this in perspective, Pride of Rotterdam has 3300 LM, and she can gobble up allot of freight.

It'll be interesting to see how Stena's running costs compare with Ulysses new running mate - Somehow, I see the Stena vessels having a considerable edge over their IF counterparts. The new IF vessels appears to have more decks = more weight = more fuel burn. Stena could theoretically replace both vessels at Dublin, and undercut Irish Ferries, like the scenario which P&O will surely experience at Larne.

I am a little sceptical of DP World offering P&O two new vessels for Larne, but if Highlander and Causeway could be shifted to Dover to replace Burgundy and Seaway, this could be an option. Remember, Seaway and Burgundy have had much tougher lives than their NI counterparts. The Japanese twins are in pretty good shape and if they were given a good dry-docking and refit (mechanically), they could easily operate out of Dover for 10 – 14 years.

I wonder would there be much of a demand (or if its possible) for a P&O Warrenpoint - Liverpool service? With the right ships could they restart a Fleetwood - Larne service?
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: HSS on February 16, 2017, 11:44:18 PM
I am happy that Stena Adventurer may well be staying at Holyhead!
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Steven on February 17, 2017, 12:34:36 AM
Quote from: HSS on February 16, 2017, 11:44:18 PM
I am happy that Stena Adventurer may well be staying at Holyhead!
Adventurer isn't the issue though.  Its the ship with less freight capacity than her predecessor ;)
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Steven on February 17, 2017, 01:07:57 AM
Quote from: TC on February 16, 2017, 10:39:02 PM
Could European Causeway not simply replace European Seaway (after modification of stern & cow catcher)? She is a freighter and replacing a freighter with a freighter shouldn't impact on passenger experience.

Regarding European Highlander, I imagine she could be centralised on just taking passengers with cars, focusing largely on freight. Naturally, berthing mods would be required.

P&O have worked very hard this past year. The dropping of Troon and the costly HSC Express, has allowed P&O to cut costs, also helped by the shorter crossing times and the more frugal nature of their ships vs the Superfast twins. However, like you said Steven, this goes completely out the window. Stena even market these new ships as the most efficient in the world!

If P&O moved the Highlander and Causeway to Dover, replaced them at Larne with vessels more frugal than their new Stena counterparts, then their ability to compete will be much better. However there is still the capacity increase - is this sustainable? Stena are going from 2000 to 3000, a large increase. To put this in perspective, Pride of Rotterdam has 3300 LM, and she can gobble up allot of freight.

It'll be interesting to see how Stena's running costs compare with Ulysses new running mate - Somehow, I see the Stena vessels having a considerable edge over their IF counterparts. The new IF vessels appears to have more decks = more weight = more fuel burn. Stena could theoretically replace both vessels at Dublin, and undercut Irish Ferries, like the scenario which P&O will surely experience at Larne.

I am a little sceptical of DP World offering P&O two new vessels for Larne, but if Highlander and Causeway could be shifted to Dover to replace Burgundy and Seaway, this could be an option. Remember, Seaway and Burgundy have had much tougher lives than their NI counterparts. The Japanese twins are in pretty good shape and if they were given a good dry-docking and refit (mechanically), they could easily operate out of Dover for 10 – 14 years.

I wonder would there be much of a demand (or if its possible) for a P&O Warrenpoint - Liverpool service? With the right ships could they restart a Fleetwood - Larne service?
I honestly don't see P&O investing in new builds for Larne over new builds for Dover tbh.  Dover requires a highly optimised fleet in order to maintain the current schedule.  Malo Seaways managed there of course (operating on the DFDS schedule).  If P&O are that desperate to replace Seaway they could simply replace her with another freighter.  If the Larne vessels were to go anywhere I'd imagine it would be converted to something similar to Nordica for the Dublin route.  Even if they put the Mitsi's on the strait in the way you suggest, they'll still be down a (passenger) ship.

With regard to P&O operating a Warrenpoint to Fleetwood service, even if there was adequate space at Warrenpoint, Fleetwood is far from ideal.  Its no secret that there were problems with the last ships to serve NI to Fleetwood and the tidal nature of the port (lack of dredging admittedly didn't help).  Just like Preston I'd say Fleetwood's days as a port for ferries to NI are over, a victim of the growing size of the vessels themselves to stay competitive.  The Stena F-Max design to operate into Fleetwood (with the economies of scale to make the route viable in the longer term) was extremely expensive to produce, not helped by the use of lightweight materials (necessary to get the draught down while having enough lane meterage).  With the constraints of Fleetwood, any modern vessel will almost certainly need to be to a bespoke (and thus costly) design with limited use elsewhere.  In any case, how would such an operation compete with the Heysham operations in terms of efficiency given the costly nature of the vessels?

So far as P&O bringing in new more efficient vessels for Larne, would that not be a race to the bottom?  Stena have made much of the flexibility designed in to these new vessels - they are operating an overnight service to Birkenhead and a couple of hour long crossing to Cairnryan after all!  Stena could simply follow suit and design even more efficient vessels themselves (easily done.  For instance shrink the e-flexer design, or switch one of the 3 vehicle decks to passenger usage, or just remove it all together), moving the e-flexer's to any number of routes or the charter market.  The current Larne vessels are already pretty efficient, and I understand are running on just 2 of their 4 engines.  The difference is Stena will carry more freight and more passengers on the same vessels (but more efficiently than at present) than P&O can manage with their current port constraints.

You are right to point out vehicle deck capacity of the e-flexer design is much greater than the Superfast VII class.  I can only think either: Stena foresee a large increase in traffic, may be considering reducing the number of return crossings, or that it is simply more cost effective to build a batch of exactly the same vessel even if it is too large - if the hull form is as optimised as it appears to be then would removing a freight deck that will otherwise be empty anyway make that much difference as opposed to redesigning the vessel?  I suspect the latter may be the case, especially when there is scope to move the vessels elsewhere after a while - its a very Stena like thing to do and don't forget they have experience in shortening as well as lengthening vessels, especially when they were originally built to their own design.  Personally I think the pax capacity of 927 is possibly a little tight for Cairnryan at peak, but then there is probably scope to convert cabins into passenger spaces for example to increase that number.  Its early days yet and it will be over 2 years before any of the vessels arrive, so I'm sure more will become clear in the coming months and years.  It isn't inconceivable that there could be design changes as well. 

Hopefully Channel House is a flurry of activity at the moment as they come up with something to counter the threat!
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: NathanBrady on February 18, 2017, 02:23:10 PM
Don't see why Scotland is getting such big boats.  Holyhead needs one or are they just gonna let Irish Ferries take all de trade?
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: hhvferry on February 18, 2017, 11:03:48 PM
Quote from: NathanBrady on February 18, 2017, 02:23:10 PM
Don't see why Scotland is getting such big boats.  Holyhead needs one or are they just gonna let Irish Ferries take all de trade?
These ships are all smaller than the Stena Adventurer so not sure what the point is?
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: PaddyL on February 19, 2017, 10:28:06 PM
Quote from: hhvferry on February 18, 2017, 11:03:48 PM
Quote from: NathanBrady on February 18, 2017, 02:23:10 PM
Don't see why Scotland is getting such big boats.  Holyhead needs one or are they just gonna let Irish Ferries take all de trade?
These ships are all smaller than the Stena Adventurer so not sure what the point is?

True and why it was unlikely Adventurer would be replaced by one but Superfast X is rather inadequate in many respects so I can see why many at Holyhead wanted one of them.
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Davy Jones on February 19, 2017, 10:52:46 PM
I would love to see one of Adventurer's big sisters - Germanica or Scandinavica - roll up at Holyhead. Unfortunately, they wouldn't fit the berth! ::)
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: PaddyL on February 20, 2017, 02:04:10 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 19, 2017, 10:52:46 PM
I would love to see one of Adventurer's big sisters - Germanica or Scandinavica - roll up at Holyhead. Unfortunately, they wouldn't fit the berth! ::)

Scandinavica is the only sister but she could be shortened again and made perfect!
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Davy Jones on February 20, 2017, 03:27:50 PM
I thought there were 3 of the Seamaster class? Adventurer and the original Britannica and Hollandica - both of which were lengthened and still turned out to be too small for the Harwich-Hook of Holland route (once they lost Stena Discovery) so they were then replaced with the 2 ginormous new-builds. The names stayed with the route so the older vessels were renamed Germanica and Scandinavica (all with the Stena prefix of course).

Please feel free to correct.
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: ferryfan on February 20, 2017, 03:52:13 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 20, 2017, 03:27:50 PM
I thought there were 3 of the Seamaster class? Adventurer and the original Britannica and Hollandica - both of which were lengthened and still turned out to be too small for the Harwich-Hook of Holland route (once they lost Stena Discovery) so they were then replaced with the 2 ginormous new-builds. The names stayed with the route so the older vessels were renamed Germanica and Scandinavica (all with the Stena prefix of course).

Please feel free to correct.

Isn't the current Germanica a sister ship to some of the Finn lines ships all built in Spain?
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: giftgrub on February 20, 2017, 07:32:40 PM
The original (ro pax era) Stena Britannica (3) and Hollandica were the Stena Seapacer class, they were a series of four built in Spain, two of which sold to Finnlines, then the Stena Britannica (3) was replaced by the Seamaster class Stena Britannica (4) (Stena Adventurer sister vessel), they then lengthened both vessels and eventually replaced with Wismar built vessels currently on route.

Stena Britannica (3) now Finnlines Finnfellow

http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/stena_britannica_2000.htm


http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/StenaLineHarwich.html

The current Stena Germanica is the former Stena Hollandica which is indeed a Seapacer class vessel, the current Stena Scandinavica is the sister vessel to the Stena Adventurer.

Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: hhvferry on February 20, 2017, 07:35:32 PM
Which is why there have been three post-HSS Harwich Britannica's but only two Hollandica's.

Because she was rather smaller the rebuilding of the Hollandica was rather more dramatic involving a lengthening of around 50m compared to 30m for the Britannica.
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Steven on February 21, 2017, 06:14:44 AM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 19, 2017, 10:52:46 PM
I would love to see one of Adventurer's big sisters - Germanica or Scandinavica - roll up at Holyhead. Unfortunately, they wouldn't fit the berth! ::)
Nothing a plasma cutter and a welder couldn't rectify!
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Davy Jones on February 21, 2017, 10:21:49 AM
It would probably be cheaper to extend the mooring posts than shorten the vessel. Plenty of space for that at Holyhead. Dublin would be tighter, but given they can fit IOI or Oscar Wilde on the Swift berth theres probably enough length to berth a 240m vessel on the Stena linkspan, It's all academic though, I expect Scandinavica is needed where she is already.
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: PaddyL on February 21, 2017, 01:22:57 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 21, 2017, 10:21:49 AM
It would probably be cheaper to extend the mooring posts than shorten the vessel. Plenty of space for that at Holyhead. Dublin would be tighter, but given they can fit IOI or Oscar Wilde on the Swift berth theres probably enough length to berth a 240m vessel on the Stena linkspan, It's all academic though, I expect Scandinavica is needed where she is already.

There have been many comments about Kiel being loss-making so I wouldn't be so sure given how well Holyhead is performing.
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: ferryfan on February 21, 2017, 04:05:00 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 21, 2017, 10:21:49 AM
It would probably be cheaper to extend the mooring posts than shorten the vessel. Plenty of space for that at Holyhead. Dublin would be tighter, but given they can fit IOI or Oscar Wilde on the Swift berth theres probably enough length to berth a 240m vessel on the Stena linkspan, It's all academic though, I expect Scandinavica is needed where she is already.

If this plan ever happens the problem of length of berths will be sorted.
http://www.nyc.ie/wp-content/gallery/cruise-ship-berth/dublin-port-master-plan.jpg
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Steven on February 22, 2017, 04:39:06 PM
Quote from: PaddyL on February 21, 2017, 01:22:57 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 21, 2017, 10:21:49 AM
It would probably be cheaper to extend the mooring posts than shorten the vessel. Plenty of space for that at Holyhead. Dublin would be tighter, but given they can fit IOI or Oscar Wilde on the Swift berth theres probably enough length to berth a 240m vessel on the Stena linkspan, It's all academic though, I expect Scandinavica is needed where she is already.

There have been many comments about Kiel being loss-making so I wouldn't be so sure given how well Holyhead is performing.
It isn't the first time there have been suggestions of the former Harwich pair being moved from the Kiel route either. The 24 different types of cabin (including Jacuzzi suites) might be overkill for Holyhead mind you!
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: NathanBrady on February 24, 2017, 08:50:46 AM
Sure dey don't even open the spa on Superfast 10
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Matt73 on February 25, 2017, 09:37:10 PM
Quote from: Steven on February 22, 2017, 04:39:06 PM
Quote from: PaddyL on February 21, 2017, 01:22:57 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 21, 2017, 10:21:49 AM
It would probably be cheaper to extend the mooring posts than shorten the vessel. Plenty of space for that at Holyhead. Dublin would be tighter, but given they can fit IOI or Oscar Wilde on the Swift berth theres probably enough length to berth a 240m vessel on the Stena linkspan, It's all academic though, I expect Scandinavica is needed where she is already.

There have been many comments about Kiel being loss-making so I wouldn't be so sure given how well Holyhead is performing.
It isn't the first time there have been suggestions of the former Harwich pair being moved from the Kiel route either. The 24 different types of cabin (including Jacuzzi suites) might be overkill for Holyhead mind you!

Very interesting debate as usual.  If we assume that the Kiel ships are moved, would the displaced Superfast VII & VIII be suitable replacements, as they were originally night boats, or would Tallink want them back? 

Would the stretched Scandinavica be too big for Holyhead in lane metre terms, Steven, notwithstanding the excess cabin capacity?

Perhaps the Kiel ships might replace the Vision and Spirit on the Gdynia route?

I have always wondered why Stena didn't order a further two of the Sea Master class.

Thanks

Matt
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: hhvferry on February 26, 2017, 12:21:33 AM
Quote from: Matt73 on February 25, 2017, 09:37:10 PM
Perhaps the Kiel ships might replace the Vision and Spirit on the Gdynia route?

If there is a switch of ships I imagine that would be the most likely - although even if the current ships are too big the Kiel route might still need a bit more freight space than their two old can provide (the current ones replaced four ships after all).
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Davy Jones on February 26, 2017, 03:46:12 AM
Although as I previously said, I would love to see Scandanavica run with Adventurer as 2 sisters, I don't really think it likely as she is configured as a 'long distasnce' ferry, with lots of cabins etc. - Just not necessary on the 3 hr Dublin Holyhead crossing.

With Brexit looming and the possibility of inceased load from Ireland direct to France, she may be better placed to relieve Stena Horizon - and provide competition for ICGs Newbuild - although the same questions of berthing will still exist.
Title: Re: OFFICIAL: Stena Line’s four new vessels planned for Belfast routes!
Post by: Steven on March 08, 2017, 03:07:43 AM
Quote from: Matt73 on February 25, 2017, 09:37:10 PM
Quote from: Steven on February 22, 2017, 04:39:06 PM
Quote from: PaddyL on February 21, 2017, 01:22:57 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 21, 2017, 10:21:49 AM
It would probably be cheaper to extend the mooring posts than shorten the vessel. Plenty of space for that at Holyhead. Dublin would be tighter, but given they can fit IOI or Oscar Wilde on the Swift berth theres probably enough length to berth a 240m vessel on the Stena linkspan, It's all academic though, I expect Scandinavica is needed where she is already.

There have been many comments about Kiel being loss-making so I wouldn't be so sure given how well Holyhead is performing.
It isn't the first time there have been suggestions of the former Harwich pair being moved from the Kiel route either. The 24 different types of cabin (including Jacuzzi suites) might be overkill for Holyhead mind you!

Very interesting debate as usual.  If we assume that the Kiel ships are moved, would the displaced Superfast VII & VIII be suitable replacements, as they were originally night boats, or would Tallink want them back? 

Would the stretched Scandinavica be too big for Holyhead in lane metre terms, Steven, notwithstanding the excess cabin capacity?

Perhaps the Kiel ships might replace the Vision and Spirit on the Gdynia route?

I have always wondered why Stena didn't order a further two of the Sea Master class.

Thanks

Matt
Scandinavia probably wouldn't be that excessive in LM terms IMHO, though obviously would represent a big jump from SSFX.  Her third bow thruster would certainly be needed mind, and as you have pointed out the accommodation would need major modifications to make her suitable!

Did they really NEED another 2 seamaster's though?  They upgraded Stena Hollandica instead whilst also extending Britannica.  Don't forget the Seamaster design is based on the Seapacer so they could have simply upgraded the now Finnfellow to Seamaster spec instead of moving her on when the first Seamaster arrived.  Also, by 2006 the new Britannica and Hollandica had been ordered. Part of the reason more Seamaster's weren't ordered could simply be that the Harwich route grew as quick as Stena could build bigger ships at the time, but nowhere else really saw growth on the same scale. 

Quote from: hhvferry on February 26, 2017, 12:21:33 AM
Quote from: Matt73 on February 25, 2017, 09:37:10 PM
Perhaps the Kiel ships might replace the Vision and Spirit on the Gdynia route?

If there is a switch of ships I imagine that would be the most likely - although even if the current ships are too big the Kiel route might still need a bit more freight space than their two old can provide (the current ones replaced four ships after all).
The increase in vehicle capacity they got when rebuilt might go some way to addressing this though, but then would they still be suitable for Kiel with the reduced passenger accommodation that resulted (surely they wouldn't be rebuilt again given their age?).  Perhaps Baltica could be used as well?  Who knows, its Stena we are taking about ;)!