Bad news about the former Stena Antrim (updated)

By: Steven Tarbox
Date:
Last updated:

In particularly sad news for Belfast and Northern Ireland, one of the final passenger vessels built by Harland and Wolff could soon be headed to a beach somewhere for scrapping.  The Ibn Batouta (ex Stena Antrim, St Christopher) is one of 4 ferries which have been laid up in Algericas for over 2 years following the failure of owners COMARIT.  The port authority is now pushing for them to be declared abandoned so they can be removed and auctioned to the highest bidder.  The most likely destination considering the age and condition of the 4 ships is for scrap.  Between 1991 and 1996 Stena Antrim served to Stranraer, first from Larne and then from Belfast when Stena moved there in 1995.  Of the other veseels (Al Mansour, Banasa, and Boughaz) Al Mansour also served in Irish waters as Stena Nautica for both Sealink and B&I line between Fishguard and Wales.

Update 11/8/15:  Ibn Batouta (ex Stena Antrim, St Christopher) and Le Rif (ex Stena Galloway, Galloway Princess) have both been pictured under tow.  Ibn Batouta appears to be headed for Durres in Albania, with sources saying she has been purchased by the owners of the vintage ferry “Red Star 1”.  The destination of Le Rif however, is unknown at present.  

Stena Antrim in happier times ariving in Belfast © Albert Bridge

Polite notice: While we welcome our articles being shared, we request that links to this website are provided rather than other approaches. Thank you (NI Ferry Site team).