Following the surprise revelation by Channel 4 News Seaborne Freight are apparently in negotiations to use LE RIF (which is now in dry dock), NIFS has been investigating what has happened to her since our last update on the vessel in September
Since publishing our update on the former STENA GALLOWAY (presently LE RIF, originally GALLOWAY PRINCESS) and STENA ANTRIM (Presently IBN BATOUTA, originally ST. CHRISTOPHER), further information has come to light.
The transformation of the former GALLOWAY PRINCESS/STENA GALLOWAY has continued into 2018 according to her owner, despite the original intention that she would enter service again between Algeciras and Tangier Med in September 2017, and recent rumours that she had been abandoned.
The former Sealink and Stena Line passenger and vehicle ferry LE RIF (ex STENA GALLOWAY, GALLOWAY PRINCESS) has still yet to enter service on the Algeciras – Tangier Med route for new operator DWLM. It had been previously reported by NIFS that she would return to service in September or October. A
Reports from Morocco indicate that LE RIF (ex Stena Galloway, Galloway Princess) is expected to return to service soon, following an extensive refurbishment and overhaul. The Belfast built former Sealink ferry has been out of service since 2013 when previous operator IMTC collapsed.