Stena Estrid is currently covering the dry-docking of a Belfast-Cairnryan ferry, Stena Superfast VII, at Harland & Wolff, Belfast, now owned by Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia, writes Jehan Ashmore.
The leader of the E-Flexer class, which otherwise serves the Dublin-Holyhead route, was undergoing essential maintenance and repair work. New painting of its livery took place during the recent clear dry spell, before it is to be undocked from the facility at Queen’s Island.
Partnering with the Stene Estrid on the North Channel’s route is 'Superfast twin Stena Superfast VIII. While on the Ireland-Wales route, the E-Flexer’s routine fleetmate, Stena Adventurer, has been joined by Stena Horizon, as previously reported.
This ropax has itself left its Rosslare-Cherbourg duties as Stena chartered from DFDS Ferry the Patria Seaways, which was originally to enter the Ireland-France route on Thursday of last week. However, due to technical issues, Stena was forced to cancel sailings, including over the St. Patrick’s bank holiday weekend, until the newcomer finally set off from Rosslare Europort on Tuesday, albeit late, affecting its current return scheduled departure from Cherbourg by several hours.
At the time of writing this morning, Patria Seaways is off Land’s End, Cornwall, having sailed overnight from the Normandy port. This first inbound sailing to Ireland is now not expected to arrive at the Wexford ferryport until tonight at 20:00hrs – instead of the scheduled lunchtime arrival at 13:30hrs - potentially the ferry will be almost 7 hours late.
The knock-on effect continues as Patria Seaways next outbound sailing to France tonight is scheduled for 18:00, with an arrival tomorrow (21 March) at 13:00. According to Stena, they have advised passenger customers to check in for the sailing no later than 2230hrs tonight. Updates on the sailing will follow later today and can be consulted with this link. The ferry company apologised for this delay.
Alternatively, Brittany Ferries also operates on the direct route to mainland Europe and also from Rosslare Europort to Bilbao, Spain.
Another recent caller to H&W was Stena Embla, which, when alongside the quay, received maintenance to its portside (MES) marine evacuation system. This other E-Flexer on the Belfast-Birkenhead (Liverpool) route has departed its Merseyside berth this morning.
While the second E-Flexer on the Irish Sea route, Stena Edda, is also underway from Belfast, where the Rosslare-Cherbourg route’s former second serving ship, Stena Vision, is laid-up. This took place last October when the cruiseferry was withdrawn and is now berthed close to the shipyard.
