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an interesting image of the Oscar on arrival in Falmouth.

https://twitter.com/FalmouthRNLI/status/431068698284392448/photo/1

Ant 1 destination now Aliaga, all three ships are heading for the beaches

Does anybody have any further news on the proposed ship order by Stena?  The so-called EasyJet concept where they have one design of ship which can be used across the fleet.

Thanks.

Matt

Nothing as of yet, but I would not be surprised if they order a batch from Visentini,(I kow the yard is not making ferries at the moment but) I think we can safely say the days of massive cruise ferries (not ignoring Brittany Ferries new order) are over and likes of the Moby Freedom style vessels will become much rarer as time goes on. Imagine a Visentini with bow doors, double deck loading and 1,000 passenger capacity, cheap to run, capable of 24 knots, easy to maintain, able to handle bad weather, easy to lengthen if necessary........

While the Stena Nordica is a perfect match for the Fishguard service when its quiet, it does not have the additional capacity to take the traffic when its busy, before Christmas when the Oscar was cancelled the Europe was running full with max passenger capacity used, thats twice the Nordica's passenger capability. the recently acquired Stena Egeria of Stena RoRo would be a perfect fit. (As long as the standard interior is ripped out and replaced with the Stena version of the Visentinti as seen in the Lagan and Mersey)

http://www.stenaroro.com/offering/Pages/Stena-Egeria.aspx

Also now available to buy in all good & bad dvd stockists and the online world as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3ASoBrFGlc

Images of the Oscar Wilde in drydock in Falmouth:

Not available in the harbour webcam view unfortunately.

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1972705

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1972704

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1972701

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1973135

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1973085

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1973073

Also UNCONFIRMED are rumours that the Stena Vison and Stena Spirit are in line to replace the Stena Saga and Stena Europe in 2015 when they are expected to be replaced on the Karlskrona/Gdynia route by the current Stena Scandinavica / Stena Germanica as the Gothenburg - Kiel route is expected to be closed with the introduction of low sulphur SECA regulations.

Can now confidently state that while the Spirt/Vision may be redeployed within the Stena route network they won't be coming to the Irish Sea. Would also doubt they will be replaced on the route they currently serve as Stena have no other vessels with enough passenger capacity.

Stena RoRo are the purchasers of Dieppe Seaways and the vessel remains on charter with DFDS until November this year, that is unless DFDS  decide to abandon the Dover - Calais bloodbath and get back to concentrating on the Dover - Dunkerque route and terminate the charter early. However it is no beyond the realms of possibility that the former Superfast X could just remain on the charter market generating profit for the company.

Also some nice images of the Stena Performer here:

http://www.irishseashipping.com/photofeatures/shipco/stena/performer090214/performer090214.htm

Anna Marine is now destination Aliaga, I would think all three are heading for the beach soon.

The former Stena Seafarer Ant 2 has been joined by the Ant 1 (Stena Pioneer) and Anna Marine (Stena Leader) all former fleetmates of the coast of Aliaga only the Ant 2 has a destination of Aliaga on the ais at the moment though. (three vessels in blue on image attached)

Apparently the Dieppe Seaways acquisition is going to happen not sure if its being bought by Stena Line or Stena RoRo but judging on past performance it will be Stena RoRo.

Former Stena Seafarer now Ant 2 has arrived off the coast of Aliaga, the final voyage is probably not too far away.

Just got the Winter 2014 issue with the Daniya formerly the Stena Navigator on the cover.

Features the now usual typos and incorrect picture explanations but does have a good feature on the Stena Fast Craft developments, plenty of very nice images of the Stena Lagan/Mersey and also a preview of the 100th issue which is published on the 28th April.

From Ferrypubs.co.uk

http://www.ferrypubs.co.uk/news.asp?

The new edition of Ferry & Cruise Review has just been published and includes features on Stena Line's fast craft operations, Brittany Ferries' Normandie and Bretagne, and the upgrades of the Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey. The magazine celebrates its 100th edition with the Spring edition, which will include a wide variety of articles from those working in the industry today. For the 100th edition of the magazine, we hope to make the magazine available as an App download.

Some UNCONFIRMED rumours that Stena RoRo are in the process of acquiring/chartering the former Superfast X - Dieppe Seaways that is currently on short term charter to DFDS Seaways for the Dover - Calais service, if the rumours prove to be true, wonder is it possible if the Superfast could make arrive on the Irish Sea.

Also UNCONFIRMED are rumours that the Stena Vison and Stena Spirit are in line to replace the Stena Saga and Stena Europe in 2015 when they are expected to be replaced on the Karlskrona/Gdynia route by the current Stena Scandinavica / Stena Germanica as the Gothenburg - Kiel route is expected to be closed with the introduction of low sulphur SECA regulations.


In actual confirmed news Stena RoRo have chartered the Norman Voyager to Brittany Ferries once the charter with LD / DFDS ends in March 2014.

http://www.stenaroro.com/offering/Pages/Norman-Voyager.aspx

http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/economie

http://www.passengerships.fr/1/post/2014/02/brittany-ferries-sinstalle-au-havre-dfds-quitte-dieppe-le-transmanche-en-pleine-mutation.html

Big news from BF today as they have announced the charter of the Norman Voyager from Stena Ro Ro for a new BF Economy service. The Norman Voyagers current charter to LD/DFDS ends in March.

http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/press-office/blog/41230/07-02-2014---Brittany-Ferries-starts-new-no-frills-service-Brittany-Ferries-economie-from-Portsmouth-to-Le-Havre-and-Santander?page=1

http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/economie

We are pleased to announce a new no-frills service called Brittany Ferries économie which will operate from Portsmouth to both Santander and Le Havre. The service is ideal for those of you who wish to travel to France or Spain at a very reasonable fare without either the cruise-style experience we provide on our other ships or the speed afforded by Normandie Express.

Convenient sailing schedule

There will be a weekend service between Portsmouth and Santander and five return crossings between Portsmouth and Le Havre, one of which will be freight-only. The no-frills, great-value feature will appeal to those on a tight budget.

On board service and facilities

On board, our customers can expect good quality French catering in the small self-service restaurant, but with a limited choice. There is a small bar, movie lounge and lounge area. As with all our ships the service will be operated by Brittany Ferries' bilingual French crew and officers.

The cabins will all have en-suite facilities, but without carpets, and there will be a lounge where seats can be reserved on overnight crossings. Pet owners will welcome the 12 pet-friendly cabins to Spain. There will be two specially equipped cabins for disabled passengers.

Cycles and motorcycles are welcome on both routes but foot passengers will only be accepted on the route to and from Le Havre.

Launching soon

We plan to open for sale in the next few weeks. The first sailing will be on Tuesday 25th March from Portsmouth to Le Havre.

Posted on the Shippax facebook page copyright belongs to George Giannakis taken in Piraeus on the way to Sochi.

The Oscar Wilde should be visible on this webcam link during the day as it is in drydock.

http://www.nmmc.co.uk/index.php?/justvisiting/webcams/falmouth_harbour_from_the_tower_out_to_sea

interesting new paint job on the SPL Princess Anastasia while in Sochi for the Winter Olympics.

Both St Peter Line vessels are now in Sochi acting as hotel ships.