Irish Ferries’ new Rosslare to Pembroke Dock ferry OSCAR WILDE left Belfast for Dublin last night, following dry docking at Harland and Wolff.
The 2007-built ferry, previously known as STAR, is calling at Dublin and Holyhead for berthing trials on her way to Rosslare.
NIFS understands that OSCAR WILDE could take up service on the Pembroke Dock route in place of BLUE STAR 1 as soon as Tuesday night, 30 May. The ship already had trials at Cherbourg, Rosslare, and Pembroke Dock prior to her arrival at Belfast.
OSCAR WILDE arrived in Dublin for the first time this morning. She is expected to spend much of the day in the Irish capital carrying out trials at both of Irish Ferries’ ro-ro berths. Due to port traffic, she will go out to sea between trials before sailing for Holyhead tonight.
While in dry dock OSCAR WILDE was repainted in a livery similar to Irish Ferries’ ULYSEES, losing her distinctive lime green Tallink livery as a result. Rebranding of the ship’s passenger facilities also took place, bringing OSCAR WILDE more inline with the rest of the Irish Ferries fleet.
With P&O Ferries’ EUROPEAN CAUSEWAY already booked in to use Belfast Dry Dock, OSCAR WILDE’s transformation took place in the cavernous Belfast Building Dock.
Stena Ferries Prepare for Rosslare Move
Separately, Stena Line’s replacement for STENA EUROPE on the Rosslare to Fishguard route, STENA NORDICA, completed her relief duties on the Belfast to Cairnryan route last week.
Stena Line dry docked STENA SUPERFAST VIII and STENA SUPERFAST VIII at Cammell Laird Birkenhead this year where some modifications to their passenger spaces were also made. These modifications included enlarging the Stena Plus lounge and fitting a new lounge for pets and their owners on deck 7.
STENA NORDICA will now provide cover on Stena Line’s North Sea freight routes, starting with Killingholme – Hoek van Holland.
A third new ship for Rosslare services this summer, STENA VISION, remains at the Remontowa shipyard in Gdańsk. STENA VISION is currently undergoing modifications at the Polish shipyard ahead of taking up service on Stena Line’s Rosslare to Cherbourg route at the end of next month.
