Stena Nordica to return to Belfast as relief for Heysham dry-dockings

By: Steven Tarbox
Date:
Last updated:
STENA NORDICA seen in the River Mersey, Sunday July 5 2020. Copyright © Rob Foy.
STENA NORDICA seen in the River Mersey, Sunday July 5 2020. Copyright © Rob Foy.

Update 24.07.20 @ 20:00: Information received after this post was published suggests that the dry docking of STENA HIBERNIA has been postponed to a later date. The other dry docks are still expected to go ahead as planned, however.

Following berthing trials at Birkenhead earlier this month, it has been revealed that STENA NORDICA will provide dry dock cover for STENA HIBERNIA and STENA SCOTIA on the Belfast – Heysham route next month. As ‘Nordica’ is too large for Heysham, she will sail to Birkenhead instead. The sailings will be available to freight customers only and it is expected that a reduced number of facilities will be available. The Belfast – Heysham route is a freight only operation which carries a maximum of 12 freight drivers.

Four ships to dry dock at Harland & Wolff

STENA HIBERNIA and STENA SCOTIA are both expected to dry dock at Harland & Wolff next month. Afterwards, STENA SUPERFAST VII and STENA SUPERFAST VIII will also visit the Belfast yard. STENA NORDICA begins her relief service on August 3 according to the Stena Line Live Freight timetable at the time of writing. As always this may be subject to change.

STENA SCOTIA. © Steven Tarbox.
STENA SCOTIA. © Steven Tarbox.

Return to Poland for Nordica?

Once STENA HIBERNIA and STENA SCOTIA have both returned to service it is expected that STENA NORDICA will release STENA SUPERFAST VII and STENA SUPERFAST VIII. The latter is expected to dry dock at the end of September, after which STENA NORDICA should return to Poland where she is normally based.


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