STENA LAGAN and STENA MERSEY are two members of the prolific Visentini series of RoPax ferries. They were the lead vessels in the current “FlexBow” hull design series, and feature the revised forward superstructure shape of EURO STAR VALENCIA and EURO STAR SALERNO, the previous 2 ships in the series. FlexBow is a fuel efficient bow design developed by NAOS Design in cooperation with SVA Potsdam designed to reduce drag created by the hull as the vessel moves through the water, which helped LAGAN VIKING (ii) achieve some 25.5kts in her sea trials with just 21,600kW of engine power.
Norse Merchant Ferries publicity image of the then new LAGAN VIKING. NIFS archive.
STENA MERSEY and STENA LAGANbecame Stena operated vessels along with the route they serve when Stena Line acquired most of the Irish Sea assets of DFDS in 2010/2011. Stena Line had originally chartered STENA LAGAN and STENA MERSEY from EPIC shipping, but they were purchased outright by Stena Line in 2012.
Following their purchase the company spent a total of £4.6 million refurbishing the two vessels at Harland and Wolff in 2013 in addition to the £4 million they had spent on the same vessels the previous year. As a result the vessels are totally transformed and almost unrecognisable from their days under previous operators DFDS, Norfolk Line, and Norse Merchant Ferries on the same Belfast to Liverpool ferry service – and from their 22 (to-date) part-sister ships.
Although the layout of the interior is broadly the same (with the exception of the shared restaurant space which is now split into the Met Bar and Grill, a separate truckers restaurant, and the Stena Plus premium lounge), the original (rather functional) Studio Ancora interior design and IGI Allestimenti supplied furnishings have almost totally been replaced by Stena’s favoured architects Figura Arkitekter.
In terms of overall hull design, STENA MERSEY and STENA LAGAN are very similar to their predecessor vessels (also launched as LAGAN VIKING and MERSEY VIKING and lead vessels of the entire Visentini ro-pax series) even sharing the same overall dimensions, however the newer ships feature a revised, steeper angled and more efficient bow design to reduce drag and improve sea-keeping. They also have a larger passenger accommodation module and more space for vehicles (an additional 84 passenger cars and 9 trailers) than their predecessors.
The Stena Group of companies currently own or operate more than half of all the Visentini RoPax vessels built. In order to guarantee passenger comfort, Stena Line operate these vessels on a reduced passenger certificate of 720. In early 2018 the Stena Plus lounges on both vessels were relocated and enlarged.
Stena Lagan’s bow, taken from the starboard side. We can see that the bow thrusters are receiving some attention in the centre of the picture. Taken during the vessels 2017 dry dock at Belfast’s Harland and Wolff. Stena Line.
Shot of Stena Lagan’s starboard side viewed from the bow. Taken during the vessels 2017 dry dock at Belfast’s Harland and Wolff. Stena Line.
One of Stena Lagan’s lifeboats rests on firm ground during her 2017 dry docking in Belfast. Stena Line
Closer look at the stern of Stena Lagan in Belfast dry dock, January ’17. Stena Line
Stena Lagan in Belfast dry dock, January ’17. Stena Line
Stena Lagan in Belfast dry dock, January ’17. Stena Line
Stena Lagan’s port-side sporting the green waves of the new Stena Line livery. Stena Line.
Steven is a former retail professional and a ferry writer and photographer. He created NI Ferry Site as a web design project in 2014 to be a news and information source for everyone with an interest in ferries, with a particular focus on Northern Ireland. Steven is the editor of the website and looks after all of the technical aspects.
