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Stena Estrid Completes Sea Trials
European ferry operator Stena Line has announced that the first
of its three new E-Flexer class ferries destined for the Irish
Sea, Stena Estrid has successfully completed sea trials in
China's Yellow Sea.
Following three days of extensive testing, the new vessel
performed excellently across a wide range of stringent test
criteria and is now on schedule to start operating on the Dublin
to Holyhead route in early 2020.
Stena Estrid is the first of five new Stena Line next generation
RoPax vessels that are being constructed at the AVIC Weihai
Shipyard in China, three of which will be introduced on the
company's Irish Sea routes from Dublin to Holyhead and Belfast to
Liverpool. Sister ship Stena Edda is due to commence operations
from Belfast to Liverpool in spring 2020, with the third vessel
Stena Embla expected to be introduced on the same route in early
2021.
The sea trials are designed to ensure that all systems are fully
operational and in line with strict specifications outlined by
Stena Line, including areas such as engine performance and fuel
consumption, navigation and radio equipment, emergency systems,
speed tests, manoeuvrability, engine and thruster tests, and
safety tests.
"Today the first of our five next generation ferries achieved a
very important milestone. Sea trials are a critical phase in a
new ship's development, as our first opportunity to take a new
vessel out to sea, put her through her paces and test that she is
up to the high standards required by Stena Line", said Paul
Grant, Chief Commercial Officer, Irish Sea and North Sea at Stena
Line.
"We systematically go through all aspects of the new ship and I
am pleased to say that Stena Estrid has successfully completed
every trial. We now look forward to the full handover of the
vessel by the shipyard and to starting her journey to the Irish
Sea," added Mr Grant.
"Stena Estrid will bring many benefits to our customers including
speedy and efficient loading and unloading operations, plus
further development of our Scandinavian-inspired facilities
including our restful and bespoke Hygge Lounge and the latest
upgrade of our premium product, the Stena Plus concept. The new
ships will be spacious, light and make great use of panoramic
views," he added.
Stena Line CEO Niclas Mårtensson said that the introduction of
Stena Estrid and her two sister ships Stena Edda and Stena Embla,
reflected the company's commitment to the Irish Sea.
"The Irish Sea is very important to Stena Line's business and
represents a significant part of our overall revenue," said Mr
Mårtensson.
"This is a very exciting time for our business and I'm proud that
as Europe's largest ferry company, Stena Line continues to shape
the industry for the next generation of freight and travel
customers," he concluded.
Next up for Stena Estrid is an official handover ceremony at the
shipyard before she sets sail on the long journey from China to
Holyhead to start operating on the Dublin to Holyhead route in
early 2020.
At 215 metres in length, Stena Estrid and her two sister ships
for the Irish Sea will be larger than today's standard RoPax
vessels and will provide freight capacity of 3,100 lane meters
and the space to carry 120 cars and 1,000 passengers and crew.
The name Estrid is connected to Stena Line's Scandinavian
heritage. It is an Old Norse eastern-nordic version of the name
Astrid. Estrid is commonly found on old runestones and means
'divinely beautiful'.
Oct 30, 2019
