Swedish ferry company Stena Line has confirmed it took delivery of its second 239.5m long E-Flexer ferry STENA EBBA yesterday. In common with the other E-Flexer ferries, the vessel was delivered by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Wehai) to Stena RoRo and immediately transferred to the operator.
STENA EBBA is a direct sister-ship of STENA ESTELLE, and is expected to join that ferry on the Karlskrona – Gdynia route before the end of the year. The two ferries are expected to be virtually identical to each other, inside and out. Some deckplans and onboard photographs of STENA ESTELLE can be seen on our special feature here.
As with STENA ESTELLE, STENA EBBA will be brought to Europe under the command of Captain Andrew Parker. She is expected to leave the shipyard in China early in October for the long journey to Europe via the Suez Canal.
Stena Vision to leave the Gdynia route?
The arrival of STENA EBBA, which is 25 metres longer than the standard E-Flexer’s like STENA ESTRID which Stena Line uses on Irish Sea routes, is likely to mean one or more of the vessels currently deployed on the Karlskrona – Gdynia route will leave. Industry information suggests that STENA VISION may well be displaced from the route, releasing her for use elsewhere on the network.
Stena Line is known to be seeking to add a second passenger vessel to the Rosslare – Cherbourg route next summer in place of the freighter SEATRUCK PANORAMA. NIFS also notes that Stena Line appears to already be taking online bookings for a two-ship Cherbourg passenger service next summer, though no announcement has yet been made by the company.
It has been suggested that STENA VISION may well be the chosen ship to run opposite STENA HORIZON on the Cherbourg route. However, it seems likely that she would require modifications to make her more suitable for the rough crossing between Ireland and France. STENA VISION also has less freight capacity than her potential operating mate, but only slightly less than that of SEATRUCK PANORAMA. Her significant cabin capacity would be a significant step forward for the Cherbourg route which is frequently sold out for passenger capacity.
Prior to publishing this article we contacted Stena Line for comment. Their spokesperson confirmed that a second passenger vessel will be available on the Rosslare – Cherbourg route from the end of next June. They said:
“Stena Line can confirm that a ropax ferry will be available on the Rosslare-Cherbourg service from late June 2023, operating six days per week, which will help boost travel and accompanied freight capacity.
At this point in time Stena Line is not in a position to confirm the exact details of the ship but will advise the market in due course.”
(Stena Line statement)
Stena Nordica returning to the Irish Sea
STENA NORDICA has already left the Karlskrona – Gdynia service to provide relief on the Travemunde – Liepaja route in place of STENA FLAVIA. The latter vessel has moved to the Nynäshamn – Ventspils route to cover the absence of STENA SCANDICA following her vehicle deck fire. The Nordica has also been designated the Irish Sea relief vessel again this year. She is expected to leave the Baltic for the Irish Sea shortly after STENA SCANDICA returns to service.
STENA NORDICA’s first role is expected to be releasing STENA ESTRID from the Holyhead – Dublin route. With traffic levels remaining high on the Birkenhead -Belfast service, STENA ESTRID is expected to cover for her sister-ships on that route instead of the smaller STENA NORDICA.
