In strange waters #2: Stena Line Irish Sea dry docking’s/refits 2017.

Stena Europe in Rosslare showing off her new livery. Stena Line.

This page will be continually updated throughout the refit period which is expected to run until May 2017. Last years “in strange waters” can be found here. Please note that due to the nature of their content, both pages are very heavy in photographic material and may take a while to load on slower connections.  The second part of this year’s feature can be found here. This year Stena Line will complete all Irish Sea dry docking’s at Belfast’s Harland and Wolff shipyard, that’s a total of 9 ships from the fleet of 11.  At the end of 2016 Stena announced that the entire fleet would be receiving the latest livery and strap-line “Connecting Europe for a Sustainable Future” during their scheduled dry docking’s, in a style similar to that applied to Stena Britannica recently.  This replaces the previous “Making Good Time” strap-line. (Title image:  Stena Europe in Rosslare displaying the … Read more

Sailing update: Stena Lagan dry-docked

Stena Lagan, alongside VT2, Belfast. Viewed from the freight yard at VT2. Taken following a visit to Stena Lagan on 2nd November 2015. With many thanks to Captain Stephen Millar for his hospitality.

Planned essential maintenance for Stena Lagan. Stena Lagan entered the dry-dock at Harland and Wolff this morning for planned maintenance. She will return to service for tomorrow nights (22:00) departure to Birkenhead. As a result, there will be no evening departure from Birkenhead tonight. Stena Performer is currently operating an additional sailing for freight in Stena Lagan’s absence.  This follows a similar dry-docking for sister-ship Stena Mersey last week, and the commencement of the 2016 refit programme for the Irish Sea fleet.  Stena Horizon will be the next ship to enter dry-dock, and is expected at Harland & Wolff from the 14th to the 28th of January once she has been relieved by Stena Flavia (currently en-route from the Baltic).

Stena Line Irish Sea refit schedule for 2016

Stena Superfast VII in dry dock at Harland & Wolff Belfast. © Scott Mackey 2015.

Majority of Stena Line Irish Sea fleet to visit Harland and Wolff in early 2016. As previously speculated, Stena Flavia will be the designated refit cover vessel for Stena Line’s Irish Sea refits in 2016.  Stena Flavia will leave the Baltic on 09/1/16 for Rosslare to take up service to Cherbourg from 14/1/16 until 8/3/16 in place of Stena Horizon.  Gothenburg to Frederikshavn vessel Stena Gothica is believed to be planned to cover for Stena Flavia in her absence.  The former Celtic Link vessel Stena Horizon will visit Harland and Wolff from 14/1/16 to 28/1/16, after which she will cover the Dublin to Holyhead route until approximately 7/3/16. On Stena Horizon‘s arrival at Dublin, Stena Superfast X will have an in water survey from 28/1/16 until 30/1/16.  She will then leave for Belfast to cover the refits of Stena Superfast VIII and VII, returning to Holyhead on 16/2/16 and onto Stena … Read more