A few weeks back, we revealed the Irish Sea refit plans for Stena Line.
Despite our information being based on very reliable sources, it turns out much of it is now out of date! Such is the Stena Line fleet flexibility and agile way of working, some changes have been made to make best use of available tonnage.
The key change is that STENA NORDICA will mostly operate at Holyhead with E-flexer cover elsewhere.
Latest details are below but the Stena Line Freight Timetable area is always a good place for updates.
For simplicity, we will start with the Dublin – Holyhead route which sees most movements then fill in the blanks on the other routes.
Dublin – Holyhead
STENA NORDICA leaves her Gdynia – Karlskrona service on 11 February (her place being taken by STENA GOTHICA). She enters service with the 1445 sailing from Dublin on 14 February. These are the sailing slots currently operated by the STENA ADVENTURER.
STENA ADVENTURER then returns to her “old schedule” and operates the 2030 sailing to Holyhead, in place of STENA ESTRID.
STENA ESTRID will operate the 0815 sailing from Dublin on 14 February. After discharge at 1150 she will sail to Belfast to operate in place of STENA EMBLA on the Birkenhead route. This will continue until the morning sailing from the Mersey on 23 February.
STENA ESTRID will return to the Dublin – Holyhead route with the 0215 to Wales on 24 February. She will replace the STENA NORDICA after her arrival at Dublin at 2345 on her 2030 from Holyhead.
Operating Fishguard – Rosslare in place of the STENA EUROPE, will be the STENA NORDICA from 24 February to 5 March.
STENA NORDICA then takes up the 2030 sailing from Holyhead on 5 March, replacing the STENA ESTRID. ‘ESTRID will in turn take up the STENA ADVENTURER’s schedule with the 0215 from Holyhead.
STENA ADVENTURER will drydock at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead early on the morning of 6 March and remain there until re-entering service from Holyhead at 1445 on 24 March. The replaced STENA ESTRID will then cover the Rosslare – Cherbourg route from that evening until 7 April.
STENA ESTRID will replace the STENA NORDICA with the 0215 Dublin to Holyhead sailing on 8 April. After discharge of her 2030 sailing from Holyhead on 7/8 April, STENA NORDICA will return to the Sweden – Poland route.
Belfast – Cairnryan
STENA EMBLA will replace STENA SUPERFAST VII from the 1130 Belfast – Cairnryan sailing on 14 February. The Superfast vessel will visit Harland and Wolff, Belfast. STENA SUPERFAST VII will then take up STENA SUPERFAST VIII’s schedule from the 1530 Belfast – Cairnryan sailing on 18 February.
Following maintenance work at Belfast, STENA SUPERFAST VIII will take over from the STENA EMBLA with the 1930 sailing on 23 February. Similarly, STENA EMBLA will return to Belfast – Birkenhead with the 2230 sailing on the same day.
Belfast – Birkenhead
STENA ESTRID will operate in place of the STENA EMBLA from the 1030 Belfast – Birkenhead sailing on 14 February until the 1030 Birkenhead – Belfast sailing on 23 February.
Rosslare – Fishguard
STENA NORDICA will operate in place of the STENA EUROPE from the 0730 service from Rosslare on 24 February until the same sailing on 5 March. Fleet veteran STENA EUROPE will overhaul at A&P Falmouth.
Rosslare – Cherbourg
STENA ESTRID will replace the STENA HORIZON from the Rosslare – Cherbourg sailing on 24 March until the Cherbourg – Rosslare trip on 6 April. Visentini STENA HORIZON will drydock at Harland & Wolff, Belfast.
