Remember Stena Vinga is overweight.

Embla, appears to be getting ready to depart. Currently showing Singapore on 07/12.

Stena Vinga appears to be sailing up and down the coast this morning to the north of Fishguard.  Seems weather related.  Supposedly berthing at 1200 but still offshore at 1400.  Turning into a long trip from wherever.

Wind is only 20kts so it shouldn't be too bad. That said, my sister went to Isle of Man a couple of years ago on sister ship Ben-my-Chree in fresh weather and she said it was a terrible passage. I suppose the smaller ships are bound to be thrown around more.

Perhaps it is the direction the weather is coming from that makes berthing difficult.

Vinga Cruise of Cardigan bay earlier today

This is an annual event normally performed by Stena Europe.

This is an annual event normally performed by Stena Europe.

Was going to suggest that ! Europe offers much more space to spend a day on board also.

While on subject of Stena Europe it is expected to leave drydock in H&W and move to ship repair quay to continue its 2021 refit soon,  in images posted on the Facebook work has been done to the stern ramps which have been removed, bow door area has been painted and internally one assumes that the car deck steel replacement has been started and is carrying on as planned. At the moment Europe is on timetable to return to service on December 21st.

Stena Europe moved out of drydock earlier today and is now alongside the ship repair quay at H&W, it seems the left side stern door has been removed and not refitted yet, the centre and right side doors have been refitted, also it does look like it has been given a repaint / clean as hull and superstructure look to be in great condition.

The Stena Foreteller is to join the Stena Line Irish Sea fleet as the second ship on Rosslare Cherbourg form January, doubling up with Stena Horizon as Stena will offer daily sailings six days a week.

https://www.stenalinefreight.com/news/double-frequency-and-capacity-on-our-rosslare-cherbourg-route/?fbclid=IwAR29M616korJMj3PVbqCmon7Fl1crOPtUm9BH_yA1HCfPPOlMOi1jod3MVE

First posted by Gary Andrew's on the Facebook

Foreteller currently crossing Bay of Biscay on the way to Falmouth probably to get Stena branding on funnels.

Rosslare is going to be busy next year.

The Irish Times is now after publishing an article confirming the increase in capacity from January

"Stena doubling Rosslare-Cherbourg sailings due to post-Brexit demand"


Second ferry added to direct service to France amid concerns over delays on UK landbridge


Ferry operator Stena Line is doubling weekly sailings on its Rosslare-Cherbourg route to meet demand for direct routes to mainland Europe to bypass post-Brexit checks at UK borders.

In a further signal of changes to trade driven by the UK?s impending departure from EU economic rules, the Swedish company is adding another vessel to the direct route to France.

Fears about traffic snarl-ups at UK and EU ports on the Irish Sea and English Channel has led to an increase in the direct ferries to continental Europe, and a new direct service to France.

The number of services on Stena?s ferry route from the south-eastern port to France will increase from three to six, as a result of an additional ferry being assigned.

The increased service follows the decision of Danish ferry operator DFDS last month to re-enter the Irish market with a new, six times a week service between Rosslare and Dunkirk..."

"Stena is adding a freight-only vessel, Stena Foreteller, providing an additional 3,000 lane metres of freight capacity per trip with facilities for up to 12 driver-accompanied units..."

Full article via below web link courtesy of The Irish Times

Sources:
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/stena-doubling-rosslare-cherbourg-sailings-due-to-post-brexit-demand-1.4433179

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/1210/1183666-stena-line/

From Shippax

https://www.shippax.com/en/news/stena-line-doubles-frequency-on-direct-france-ireland-route.aspx

Anyone know if this affects the previously-announced change to the Stena Horizon's schedule?
The press release for the Foreteller suggests six round trips a week would be offered but for the two ships to operate in tandem they would both need to be on a rolling timetable (i.e. seven round trips) unless the Horizon change has been reversed?

No change to freight timetable yet, Horizon is on new rolling timetable for January without lay over day on Monday at the moment.

However the always reliable niferry has

https://www.niferry.co.uk/stena-line-to-double-ireland-france-freight-capacity/

Stena CEO - 12 weekly crossing which is six round trips

Stena Foreteller in Rosslare this morning presumably for berthing trials before heading to Falmouth.

Foreteller has left Rosslare, now showing Loch Ryan as a destination, possibly going to the standby quay at Loch Ryan Port until the New year.