#Relief-Ferry – Stena Line has confirmed to Afloat.ie that ro-pax ferry, Stena Feronia is providing relief cover for Belfast-Birkenhead (Liverpool) route sisters Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey during the pairs annual winter refit programme, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Currently, Stena Mersey is undergoing dry-docking at Harland & Wolff Heavy Industries, where the Belfast ship-repair and marine engineering business almost directly faces opposite VT2.

Victoria Terminal 2 is where Stena Line has its Laganside located operations that run to Merseyside. Also operating from the downriver Belfast Lough terminal is a newer route to Cairnryan on Loch Ryan in Scotland.

At this stage, Stena Line has not yet confirmed all of the dry docking yards, but H&W will be utilised for a number of vessels. Following the 'Mersey's refit her sister (see photo and report), will occupy the drydock at Queens Island.

The Irish Sea sisters and likewise of stand-in ship Stena Feronia were built by Visentini shipbuilders, the Italian yard having also rolled out several variants of their own ro-pax designs.

Notably, the yard's ubiquitous ro-pax design is for example Stena Horizon, the former Celtic Link Ferries chartered vessel Celtic Horizon. The final CLF sailings took place at the end of March, for a farewell voyage report here.

She continues running Rosslare-Cherbourg sailings since Stena Line acquired the Wexford based business. This is the new owners first ever ferry service linking Ireland and Europe.

For a photo of the pierhead at Rosslare Europort, taken from onboard Celtic Horizon, click here also for previous report on the issue of sand building up at the breakwater. The sands accummulated from storms early this year and dredging works are due to start tomorrow.