The first of Stena Line’s E-Flexer ferries, STENA ESTRID, left Singapore at about 03:00 (UK time) this morning with a destination of Galle, Sri Lanka. At present she is passing through the Malacca Strait. Her indicated estimated arrival time at Galle is 13:30 local time on December 4. As previously reported, STENA ESTRID took on bunkers and supplies at Singapore having already sailed 2,657 nautical miles across the East China and South China Sea’s from Weihai. After stopping at Galle, STENA ESTRID will proceed to Suez before heading for Gibraltar after passing through the Suez Canal.
The new ship is expected to arrive at Holyhead around Christmas after sailing in excess of 10,000 miles from China. STENA ESTRID is scheduled to enter service on the Holyhead – Dublin route during mid-January 2020, when passengers will be able to enjoy her facilities which include a Stena Plus premium lounge, Hygge recline lounge, Taste restaurant, two cinemas, two children’s play areas, a shopping outlet, and a “sky bar” with its own glass atrium.
Freight drivers will also be catered for with a large dedicated restaurant and lounge. STENA ESTRID is also equipped with ample cabin berths for the Holyhead run, with 175 passenger cabins spread out on deck’s 8 and 9. This includes six deluxe cabins with balconies as well as disabled cabins and two and four berth options. Passengers will also be able to take in the sea air should they wish, with outside deck space on deck 7 and a sun deck on deck 10.
Car’s and small vans will park in a dedicated garage on deck 7, with passengers simply walking through a door into guest services without having to climb and stairs or use lifts. Below, commercial vehicles will be accommodated within the 3,100 lane metres of space across decks 1, 3, and 5. The new ship will ultimately replace STENA SUPERFAST X in the Stena Line fleet and sail opposite STENA ADVENTURER.
STENA ESTRID is one of nine Stena E-Flexer Class ferries ordered by Stena RoRo from the former AVIC Weihai Shipyard in Eastern China. To find out more about the E-Flexer class, see the dedicated feature here. Two further members of the class are also destined for the Irish Sea, with STENA EDDA and STENA EMBLA joining the Belfast – Liverpool (Birkenhead) route during 2020 and 2021.
STENA EDDA will be the next of the series of vessels to be delivered, and is currently being fitted out at her builders yard. After completing sea trials and being delivered, she is expected to enter service around the middle of next year.
