Update 16.12.19: STENA ESTRID‘s next indicated destination has now switched from Gibraltar to nearby Algeciras. She is currently expected to arrive there at 8am (UTC) on Wednesday 18.12.19 and appears to be sailing on one engine at 18kts.
The new Stena Line Dublin – Holyhead ferry, STENA ESTRID, reached Port Said yesterday having transited the Suez Canal. The 215m long vessel anchored near the port for a few hours before setting off for Gibraltar. At present STENA ESTRID is expected to reach Gibraltar on December 18. Once there she will take on fuel and supplies as well as additional crew for training and familiarisation en-route to Holyhead. If all goes to plan, STENA ESTRID is expected to be in Holyhead just before Christmas.
In the meantime, STENA EDDA appears to have left her builders yard in China for the first time for what is likely to be the first of her trials. STENA EDDA is expected to enter service on the Belfast – Liverpool route in place of STENA LAGAN during the first half of 2020. As a direct sister-ship of STENA ESTRID it is likely STENA EDDA‘s trials will not need to be as extensive as her sisters.
In total the distance between Port Said and Holyhead is in excess of 3000 nautical miles, a distance which (without stopping) could be covered in just over 7 days at an average speed of 18 knots. The 1235nm distance between Gibraltar and Holyhead would take about three days at the same speed. STENA ESTRID is expected to start service on the Holyhead – Dublin route around the middle of January. She will ultimately replace STENA SUPERFAST X on the route which will either be redeployed, sold, or chartered. For more information on Stena Line’s newest ferry see her dedicated page here.
