STENA HORIZON

December 30, 2018
12:50

STENA HORIZON is a Stena Line ferry which normally operates on the Rosslare to Cherbourg route. This article contains an overview of her history, technical specifications, and photographs. STENA HORIZON is the 14th vessel in the Visentini Ro-Pax series.

Fast Facts

IMO Number: 9332559
Constructed by: Cantiere Navale di Visentini Francesco & C., Donada [IT] #214
Also known as:
CELTIC HORIZON, CARTOUR BETA
Passenger capacity: 972 (limited to 660 by Stena)
Vehicle Capacity: 186 cars and 2,224 lane metres of freight
Current Operator: Stena Line
Usual Route: Rosslare [IE] – Cherbourg [FR]

Overview

STENA HORIZON was launched as CARTOUR BETA as the 14th in the series of 24 Visentini Diesel-powered Ro-Pax vessels designed by NAOS design and launched between 1997 and 2011. She is the 3rd of the more efficient “FlexBow” generation. She currently operates the route between Rosslare in Ireland and Cherbourg in France for Stena Line, having previously operated the route for Celtic Link ferries before Stena Line took that company over in early 2014. STENA HORIZON is the closest sister ship to STENA LAGAN and STENA MERSEY (although both of these ships have been more thoroughly refurbished than STENA HORIZON, which is not owned by Stena Line or its related companies), and is a direct sister of Caronte and Tourist’s CARTOUR GAMMA. STENA HORIZON is currently on charter to Stena Line. Initially, this was as a result of a 5-year charter agreed by Celtic Link which commenced in October 2011, but this was later renewed by Stena. Like STENA LAGAN and STENA MERSEY, STENA HORIZON operates on a reduced passenger certificate ‘to guarantee passenger comfort’ (660). She retains more of her Studio Ancora designed as-built interior than STENA LAGAN and STENA MERSEY but has had some Stena touches added over the years such as reupholstered seating and branded facilities. This includes a ‘Barista’ coffee shop, and separate ‘Met Bar’ and ‘Met Grill’ counters. STENA HORIZON also differs from her Belfast based fleet-mates by having an additional lounge aft in an area which is occupied by crew cabins on the Birkenhead sisters.

STENA HORIZON leaves Belfast on the morning of New Years Day 2019 while providing dry dock cover for STENA LAGAN. Copyright © Scott Mackey. — **STENA HORIZON** leaves Belfast on the morning of New Years Day 2019 while providing dry dock cover for **STENA LAGAN**. Copyright © Scott Mackey.

Technical Data

Technical Specification	STENA HORIZON
IMO Number	9332559
Design	NAOS Ship and Boat Design S.R.L, Trieste, Italy P244
Building Yard	Cantiere Navale di Visentini Francesco & C., Donada, Italy
Hull Number	214
Keel Laid	13/12/04
Year Completed	2006
Classification	RINA C ro-ro Passenger ship Unrestricted Navigation; AUT-UMS Ice Class -1C-
Owner	Levantina Transport S.r.L. (Giovanni Visentini)
Operator	Stena Line Irish Sea (South)
In service (original)	6/06 Messina – Salerno
In service (Stena Line)	1/4/14 Rosslare – Cherbourg
Call sign	IBPT
Previous names and operators (oldest first)	Cartour Beta (Caronte & Tourist / GNV) Celtic Horizon (Celtic Link)
Length overall	186m
Breadth molded	25.6m
Draught	6.6m
Gross Tonnage	27,510
Deadweight	7,000
Machinery	2 x MAN B&W 9L 48/60B – 10,800 kW each @ 500 RPM 3 x Diesel generators 1800kW each, plus 2 shaft generators 2200kW 2 x KaMeWa 4.8m diameter CPP type propellers 2 x 1300kW bow thrusters 2 x Fin stabilisers
Power(Max/Pme @ 75%)	21,600/16,200kW
Operational speed (Max/Normal)	24/16-19 kts
Capacity (max)	972
Capacity (current Stena)	660
Vehicle decks	2244 total lane metres 186 cars Access is via a stern door opening onto deck 3. A series of ramps allow access to the other decks.
Interior Design (Original)	Studio Ancora [IT]
Onboard Facilities in use	Restaurant Bar Barista coffee shop Shop Cinema Cabins (2 berth, 4 berth, and disabled) Sun deck Free Wi-Fi
Flag	Italy (Bari)