Stena Dry-docking update – Stena Superfast X in Belfast Dry Dock

By: Steven Tarbox
Date:
Last updated:
STENA SUPERFAST X passes Victoria Terminal 4 on her way to Belfast Dry Dock, 29.01.19. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
STENA SUPERFAST X passes Victoria Terminal 4 on her way to Belfast Dry Dock, 29.01.19. Copyright © Scott Mackey.

Stena Line’s STENA SUPERFAST X arrived in Belfast this morning, going straight to Harland & Wolff’s Belfast Dry Dock for her scheduled dry-docking. The vessel, which is one of a quartet which includes STENA SUPERFAST VII and STENA SUPERFAST VIII, was released from her normal Holyhead to Dublin route by STENA NORDICA last night.  The latter vessel arrived in Dublin from Rosslare yesterday evening following the return of STENA HORIZON to her regular Rosslare – Cherbourg route which Nordica had been covering.  STENA HORIZON spent most of January on refit relief duty on the Belfast to Liverpool route.  

(l-r) STENA HORIZON, STENA NORDICA, and STENA EUROPE seen together in Rosslare, 27.01.19. Horizon had returned from a stint as refit relief vessel on the Belfast - Liverpool route, while Nordica was preparing to move to Dublin to cover STENA SUPERFAST X having covered Horizon's absence. Copyright © Brian Boyce.
(l-r) STENA HORIZON, STENA NORDICA, and STENA EUROPE seen together in Rosslare, 27.01.19. Horizon had returned from a stint as refit relief vessel on the Belfast – Liverpool route, while Nordica was preparing to move to Dublin to cover STENA SUPERFAST X having covered Horizon’s absence. Copyright © Brian Boyce.

The arrival of STENA SUPERFAST X means Harland & Wolff are now halfway through the 2019 drydocking program for Stena Line’s Irish Sea fleet, with STENA SUPERFAST VII and STENA SUPERFAST VIII being the vessels still left to visit the yard.  STENA LAGAN and STENA MERSEY both visited the yard during January.  Rosslare to Fishguard veteran STENA EUROPE is also widely expected to drydock again this year, though no announcement has yet been made regarding the dates or location.  Suggestions online are that she will go to a yard in Southern Europe for life extension, but Stena have not confirmed or denied this.

STENA NORDICA arrives in Dublin to release the vessel which replaced her on the Holyhead - Dublin route, STENA SUPERFAST X, on the evening of 28.01.19. Copyright © Gordon Hislip.
STENA NORDICA arrives in Dublin to release the vessel which replaced her on the Holyhead – Dublin route, STENA SUPERFAST X, on the evening of 28.01.19. Copyright © Gordon Hislip.
STENA SUPERFAST X meets her tug prior to entering Belfast Dry Dock for her routine drydocking, 29.01.19. Copyright © Steven Tarbox
STENA SUPERFAST X meets her tug prior to entering Belfast Dry Dock for her routine drydocking, 29.01.19. Copyright © Steven Tarbox

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