Stena Line in response to changing needs of its customers has carried out a major renewal of its North Sea ferries, Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica which operate the Harwich-Hook van Holland route. 

The unique transformation, which took just 18 days per ship, offers new restaurant and bar options, modern and refreshed seating areas, and increased passenger capacity. In addition, the renovation of the ships is another step forward in Stena Line’s ambition to reduce its CO2 emissions by 2030 (based on our 2019 emission levels).

• Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica each modernised in just 18 days
• New paint on underwater hull saves around 780,000 litres of fuel annually
• 51% of furniture reused
• Passenger capacity increased by over 100 seats
• Renewal creates more space and comfort on Harwich - Hook of Holland route

The sister ships, which operate on the Harwich – Hook of Holland route connecting England to the Netherlands, are among the largest (gross tonnage) ferries in the world, and had their new look unveiled at a special event held this week attended by of hundreds of guests. In just 18 days, a team of 360 people per day successfully completed the transformation. During that period in drydock, each ship had the underwater hull fully blasted and painted with specialised paint to reduce friction and passenger seating areas were upgraded and rearranged to increase capacity.

Travel experience upgrade

Based on feedback that Stena Line has collected from passengers, the recent changes have been designed to better align the service with passengers' needs and have been specifically focused on the areas where guests spend most of their time. For example, the former à la carte restaurant has been replaced by a brand-new Stena Plus Lounge seating more than 100 people. For a small surcharge of £25, guests can access the spacious lounge which includes a variety of complimentary drinks and snacks - an ideal premium space for relaxing or working. For young families, a new space has been created: the Family Hub, with a range of entertainment for all ages. In addition, the smaller, cramped areas at the back of the ship have been removed, such as the cinema, meeting room and café, freeing up space for the more open and modern 'Social Bar & Café'. The ship has also had an upgrade to its Wi-Fi using ‘Starlink’ satellite technology, providing access to a faster and more stable connection during the entire crossing.

Fuel savings

Each ship’s underwater hull was blasted and given a new coat of silicone paint. The paint, which is free of biocides, prevents organisms such as algae from adhering to the hull and keeps it smooth. This ensures less resistance of the water during a crossing, which will result in annual fuel saving of approximately 780,000 litres. Per ship, this amounts to a reduction of about 2,500 metric tonnes of CO2 per year. Another benefit is that the silicone paint lasts for eight years instead of the usual two years.

30% lower CO2 emissions by 2030

As well as the savings achieved by using the special paint, each ship’s propellers were polished which reduces friction in the water resulting in less drag and, therefore more efficient energy use.

Erik Thulin, Trade Director Stena Line said: "With the modernisation of our two ships, we are investing in our services and aim to provide our passengers with an even better travel experience. The renovation is the result of more than a year’s planning with a particular focus on sustainability to support our ambition to reduce our carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. As well as refurbishing and reusing our existing furniture, many lights have been replaced by energy saving LED lights and we are now using sustainable disinfectant Electro-Chemical Activation (ECA) water, instead of chemicals, to clean as many areas as possible. This cleaning product is generated by water, electricity and salt producing a natural disinfectant. We have removed all single-use plastic and cardboard and the restaurant has switched from a buffet to plate service to minimise food waste."

Travelling with the Stena Britannica and Hollandica

Passengers can make the crossing from Harwich to Hook of Holland at 09.00 and 23.00 daily. A crossing takes between 6.30 and 9.30 hours, depending on the day or night departure.

In the UK, the North Sea ferry and cruise port of Harwich is set to benefit from an influx of tourists after quarantine restrictions were lifted (yesterday) for fully-vaccinated passengers arriving from amber countries in Europe and the USA.

It comes as part of a range of new measures designed to drive forward the reopening of international travel.

The move has been welcomed by Stena Line, one of the world’s leading ferry operators, which provides services from Harwich (to Hook van Holland in the Netherlands).

Simon Palmer, of Stena Line, said it has been a long time coming after half of the firm’s business was lost during the pandemic.

According to the Harwich & Manningtree Standard which has more on this story, the port is also to welcome tomorrow the return of the World's largest cruise tallship, Golden Horizon which beforehand made a maiden 'UK waters based' cruise departing the Port of Dover in Kent.  

Opposite of Harwich, Afloat adds is the UK's biggest box-boat port of Felixstowe from where this week the port is finally to receive Ever Given, more than four months than planned after the giant containership blocked the Suez Canal.

As reported last week, Ever Given had called to Rotterdam (Hutchison Ports ECT Delta Terminal) for the first time since the canal incident took place in March. 

Afloat today tracked the containership off the English east coast as the 400m ship is scheduled to arrive this Sunday at Felixstowe which is operated by Hutchison Ports.