The brand-new Belfast Liverpool (Birkenhead) ferry, STENA EDDA, is set to arrive in Belfast Lough around midday tomorrow, Stena Line has confirmed. This is a day earlier than previously advised. Stena Line’s newest ship will complete some manoeuvres in Belfast Lough tomorrow before anchoring off Bangor overnight. On Wednesday morning she will complete berthing trials in Belfast on the brand-new linkspan at Victoria Terminal 2 (VT2).
STENA EDDA will become the largest ferry to berth at Belfast to-date on Wednesday and is around 12m longer than STENA SUPERFAST VII/VIII. The new ship can accommodate around 50% more freight in addition to 120 cars on their own separate garage adjacent to the passenger accommodation on Deck 7. Like on sister-ship STENA ESTRID, this is accessed from a tilting ramp on Deck 5 below and a much shorter climb than the ramps on STENA LAGAN and STENA MERSEY.
Passengers will also be better catered for with 175 cabins (all with ensuite facilities and infotainment TV’s), a spacious “Sky Bar” with its own skylight, two children’s play areas, two free cinemas, large restaurant with views over the bow, and a full-width Stena Plus lounge which also overlooks the bow. Passengers who wish to splash out can book one of two deluxe cabins which have a double bed and balcony access. For more information on STENA EDDA‘s facilities, see the dedicated page on STENA ESTRID here. Although no date has officially been announced yet, it is expected that STENA EDDA will enter service as early as March 9th if all goes according to plan. This, however, may be subject to change.
More information about STENA EDDA can be found on her profile page here. Her arrival in Belfast signals the end of her 10,500+ mile delivery voyage from China, where she was built as one of a series of nine Stena E-Flexer ferries for Stena Line and two other operators.