Stena Line fleet movements

[giftgrub]

Image of the Fishguard jack up rig, now tied back up alongside the quay, seen yesterday in Fishguard, Europe is using an extra fender when berthing to move the bow onto the ramp. Hopefully they get this fixed and back in place soon which will allow the twin level loading to return.

Just back from a lovely week in the UK and the Europe was nearly full on the return to Ireland yesterday, deck 5 was full both deck 6 mezzanine were full of cars and plenty of traffic on deck 3 as well, haven't seen so many people on board since a crossing in 2008 when the Lynx was cancelled and it sailed fully loaded.

On the outbound crossing some maintenance taking place as carpets were being replaced on deck 8 behind the Plus lounge and on the stairs. On the return some of the outside decks have been repainted during the week.

The Europe is still in great condition and if the Nordica was on yesterday it would have been sold out twice in my rough calculation of the passengers on board.

One gripe is the toilets on deck 8 are still in need of a refurbishment, one of the few areas to have not seen much improvement over the years.

Also the border shop is open in Fishguard once you go through security and has some fantastic value for alcohol if anyone is interested, for example case of Orchard Thieves (24 cans)was 10 pounds, a bottle of Absolute (1litre)was 7 pounds and plenty of other great deals.

[Davy Jones]

Good potted report there GG. Thanks! We need more of these on our Irish Sea Vessels.

Is there anything I can do to view the pictures in their entirity? after expanding the thumbnail, I can only view about 1/6th of the photo and have to pan around to see the rest of the detail. it's sort of too big if you know what I mean.

[Niall]

What's the story with the footie gangway?

[giftgrub]

What's the story with the footie gangway?

Footie gangway is gone, foot passengers now load through the side loading door a short walk on the ramp and they are onto the vessel on deck 5 (at least they will when it's back in action) assume they are bussed on at the moment.


Davy - no idea how to make images smaller, but think you can save to your device and view in photo albums if that helps, only phone images not sure why they are so big.

[Niall]

Why was the footie gangway removed?

[pdnr777]

Have all the linkspan problems been rectified at Fishguard. After seeing what the Isle of Man Steam Packet are having their new ferry built, would Stena have a new ferry built purely for the Fishguard route or is it after the loss of traffic freight wise/blamed on Brexit would they discontinue the route once the Europe is no longer economically viable to operate on the route??

[shipbiulder101]

The Superfast VII has had a fire in the funnel area this morning that has forced her to be withdrawn from service for the 0730 round trip, unkown if she will take up schedule for her next round trip.

[ccs]

Stena have confirmed that a second passenger vessel will replace Seatruck Panorama on the Rosslare-Cherbourg route from next June.

"Stena Line can confirm that a ropax ferry will be available on the Rosslare-Cherbourg service from late June 2023, operating six days per week, which will help boost travel and accompanied freight capacity. At this point in time Stena Line is not in a position to confirm the exact details of the ship but will advise the market in due course."

https://www.niferry.co.uk/stena-line-takes-delivery-of-second-jumbo-e-flexer-ferry/

[Steven]

Stena have confirmed that a second passenger vessel will replace Seatruck Panorama on the Rosslare-Cherbourg route from next June.

"Stena Line can confirm that a ropax ferry will be available on the Rosslare-Cherbourg service from late June 2023, operating six days per week, which will help boost travel and accompanied freight capacity. At this point in time Stena Line is not in a position to confirm the exact details of the ship but will advise the market in due course."

https://www.niferry.co.uk/stena-line-takes-delivery-of-second-jumbo-e-flexer-ferry/

Thanks for sharing CCS.

Also worth noting that the sailings are already on sale, though the booking engine has STENA HORIZON in Rosslare and Cherbourg at the same time ;p .

STENA VISION has been linked within the industry for a while though nothing official yet.  She would likely need work to make her more suitable for the crossing and there have been suggestions for instance that her bow door would be welded up to make her a stern loader (perhaps even NORMANDY-style sponsons).  A case of watch this space but it would give Stena the cabin capacity they need during summer and at the end of a day its a ship that is long paid for.

[shipbiulder101]

Stena's booking engine is now showing the Nordica covering for the Superfast VIII next week from Monday-Wednesday (17/10-19/10). This appears to be a change of plan as she was meant to be relieving the Estrid to cover the Edda And Embla drydockings.

[boathansm]

Stena Nordica has changed flag from Bahamas to Cyprus.

[ccs]

Stena confirm that Stena Vision will be the second ship on the Rosslare-Cherbourg route from next year. Stena will have 6 round trips per week on the route.

https://www.stenaline.com/media/stories/stena-line-expands-its-ireland-france-ferry-service/

[ferryfan]

It appears that Stena Europe is being offered as an accommodation vessel by Bridgeman Services link here
https://www.bridgemans-services.com/workforce-accommodations/ms-europe/

I don't know what that means for Rosslare-Fishguard services or what ship, if any is to replace her.

[ccs]

Lots of talk about Nordica or Stena Vinga to replace Europe.

[Niall]

My money is on Nordica as she has operated the route. Did Vinga ever call to Fishguard?