Update 15.01.2020: STENA EMBLA made her maiden commercial departure from Rosslare last night but is expected to return to Belfast soon.
Stena Line’s brand-new ferry, STENA EMBLA, looks set to debut on the Rosslare – Cherbourg route. The ship, which is currently in Belfast undergoing final preparations for service, is due to leave for Rosslare this evening according to Belfast Harbour booking.
Demand on services between Ireland and France continues to be strong. Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have already taken steps to increase capacity on the route.
STENA EMBLA is due to operate two round-trips in place of the STENA HORIZON ex Rosslare Thursday and Saturday, and ex Cherbourg Friday and Sunday.
It understood that Horizon needs some maintenance to be carried out which will take around 4 days. The Ro-Ro freighter STENA FORETELLER will remain in place as “second ship” according to the timetable.
STENA HORIZON is expected to return to service in place of STENA EMBLA once this maintenance is completed. STENA EMBLA is then expected to enter service between Belfast and Liverpool (Birkenhead) later this month.
Update 13.01.2020 @ 21:00: Following this article being published, Stena Line has confirmed that Stena Embla will be temporally deployed on the Rosslare – Cherbourg route.