The former Belfast – Liverpool ferry STENA MERSEY arrived in Turkish waters earlier this week and is currently at anchor near Tuzla. While awaiting her turn at SEDEF Shipbuilding, the ship has adopted her new name, STENA BALTICA on AIS. As expected, she has also moved to the Bahamian flag.
Stena Scandica Prepares for Service
As-built sister-ship STENA SCANDICA (ex STENA LAGAN, LAGAN SEAWAYS, etc) touched sea water for the first time in months yesterday after her complex rebuild at the same yard. STENA SCANDICA is now 36m longer than when she entered the dry-dock at SEDEF. According to Stena Line the lengthening and rebuild has added 30 % freight capacity, 88 new cabins and the ferry has a brand new modern interior.
Now that she is afloat again, STENA SCANDICA is expected to commence sea trials in the coming days. Like the new STENA BALTICA, she is also registered in the Bahamas with a homeport of Nassau.
Once all trials and checks are satisfactorily completed, STENA SCANDICA will make her way to the Batic Sea. She will replace the chartered Ro-Pax ferry SCOTTISH VIKING on the Nynäshamn – Ventspils route.
SCOTTISH VIKING is expected to join Grandi Navi Veloci on charter once her time with Stena Line ends. She will be renamed GNV SEALAND.
Update 25.02.2021: At around 19:00 UTC this evening, STENA BALTICA (ex STENA MERSEY) entered dry-dock at SEDEF Shipbuilding Tuzla for her conversion and lengthening to begin.