Stena Europe which served Rosslare-Fishguard for more than 20 years until replaced by a ropax ferry last year, was due to re-enter the Ireland-Wales link this month albeit in a relief capacity but disruption has intervened, writes Jehan Ashmore
In the begining of this month, the Wexford-Pembrokeshire route's routine ropax Stena Nordica, operated several days, which when in Fishguard, saw Stena Europe having to vacate the berth and anchor offshore of the port breakwater. Since then the ropax was transferred to Dublin-Holyhead and remains covering in for scheduled annual overhaul dry-dockings, leaving Stena Europe to provide the relief role but subsequent sailings were cancelled. As of Monday this week, they were to finally commence until Stena had to announce again that sailings were cancelled citing ‘operational reasons’.
Afloat tracked on the same day, the Stena Europe dating to 1981, head to Merseyside where the 24,828 tonnes ferry made an unscheduled call yesterday at Cammell Laird, the dry-dock, ship repair and shipbuilding facility in Birkenhead. The dry-dock facility is where initially the veteran vessel was to remain for repairs until resuming service next Wednesday according to a Stena Line sailing update on Monday. However, Afloat.ie has since sought further details from Stena Line, as disruption to the Rosslare-Fishguard service reveals is to continue beyond next week.
In response Stena Line said: “Due to unforeseen mechanical issues with the scheduled relief ship (Stena Europe), Stena Line’s service on the Rosslare-Fishguard route has been suspended. At this point, it is anticipated that the service will recommence on 29th January.”
“Stena Line would like to apologise unreservedly to customers for any inconvenience caused by this unfortunate situation and is advising impacted customers to amend their booking to an alternative route via the website www.stenaline.co.uk or to contact its Customer Care team on +44 3447 707070 (09:00hrs - 22:00hrs) to discuss their travel options.”
The St. Georges Channel route’s Stena Nordica, as alluded is providing relief cover on the Dublin-Holyhead in support of the routes second ship, Stena Adventurer. This has allowed route partner, Stena Estrid, itself to cover in for one of two Belfast-Birkenhead E-Flexer class ferries, Stena Edda which is undergoing annual dry-docking at Cammell Laird.
The Irish Sea route is otherwise also been maintained by the second E-Flexer, Stena Embla and freight ferry, Stena Forwarder which entered service in November having replaced another freighter on the Liverpool link.
Staying on Merseyside as Stena Europe is berthed at Cammell Laird’s Tranmere Wet basin, adjacent to the dry-docks, occupied by the aforementioned Stena Edda, CalMac's Outer Hebrides serving Clansman and also tugs. In addition, asides the Stena Europe berthed in the basin is the Isle of Man Steam Packet’s fast-ferry Manannan and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary replenishment/supply vessel, RFA Tiderace.
Now in its 43rd year, the Stena Europe which despite having a major-life extension refit in 2019, is becoming more expensive to maintain and repair. In addition, to speculate, the availabity of a dry-dock may in part explain as to the delayed return to service date in late January of the relief ferry on the Rosslare-Fishguard route.
Currently, passengers booked have been advised of alternative travel as according to the Stena Line sailing update, it has informed passengers of the option to transfer from Rosslare to Pembroke Dock, and that there is no need to contact us as your booking will automatically be transferred.
The alternative route Afloat adds, on the southern Ireland-Wales link operated by rivals Irish Ferries, which introduced last year the chartered Oscar Wilde, the fastest ferry on the Irish Sea.
