Update 22.06.19: EUROPEAN CAUSEWAY looks set to dry dock for 8 days from June 30th with EUROPEAN SEAWAY providing cover. EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER is expected to return on the 28th of June. Click here for more info.
Stena Line’s Rosslare to Fishguard ferry STENA EUROPE looks set to remain away from her route well into July. The veteran Swedish-built vessel has been at the Gemak shipyard in Turkey since March 23rd undergoing a life-extending refit and had been originally expected to return to service next Wednesday. However, according to the Stena Line live timetable, she will now not return until at least Monday 22nd July. Relief vessel STENA NORDICA is not timetabled to return to her regular Karlskrona – Gdynia route until July 29th at the earliest according to the live timetable.
Closer to home meanwhile, P&O Ferries Larne to Cairnryan Ro-Pax EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER has been at Cammell Laird since May 17th. She had been expected to return to service by the 7th of June when she would release part-sister EUROPEAN CAUSEWAY for her own drydocking. However, it is understood that during her dry dock problems were discovered with EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER‘s rudders meaning she had to remain out of service until repaired – something which could not happen until the necessary parts arrived. Having left the dry dock at the Birkenhead yard to layover in the wet basin, EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER has returned to dry dock in the past few days. Her extended absence creates a problem for P&O Ferries as relief vessel EUROPEAN SEAWAY is required back at her usual Dover to Calais route as additional cover for the summer peak season, while EUROPEAN CAUSEWAY still needs to be dry docked. According to the P&O Ferries online booking engine, EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER returns to service on June 28th, sailing opposite EUROPEAN CAUSEWAY.
