MV Stena Baltica

ex Stena Mersey, Mersey Seaways, Mersey Viking

© Carsten Dettmer (Birkenhead, April 2019)

Steel twin screw “NAOS241” motor vessel, built in 2005 by Cantiere Navale Visentini di Visentini Francesco & C, Porto Viro yard, Italy (Yard No. 213) as a Passenger Roll on – Roll off cargo ferry for Levantina Trasporti, Bari, Italy

Technical Data

• Length: 186.00  – 222.08 m (overall) 177.40 m (between perpendiculars)
• Breadth: 25.60 m
• Depth: m
• Draught: 6.60 m
• Tonnage: 27510 gross/ net/7000  – 10000t deadweight
• Engines: Two MAN B&W 9L48/60B diesels.
• Power: 21600 kW/14500 bHP
• Speed: 24 knots (Service)
• Capacity: 980 – 1000 passengers, 2,243 – 2875 lane meters + 186 –  cars
• Call Sign: IVBE, 2BPR6, C6EX6, OZDR2
• MMSI Number: 219029947
• IMO Number: 9329851
• Port of Registry: Bari/Italy 🇮🇹, Belfast/United Kingdom 🇬🇧, Nassau/Bahamas 🇧🇸, Hellerup/Denmark 🇩🇰
• Sister Ship: Stena Lagan (212)

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Current AIS Location

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History

May 25th 2004: Keel laid.

July 2nd 2005: Launched.

November 29th 2005: Completed.

Cantiere Navale Visentini di Visentini Francesco & C

December 2005: Anticipated delivery to Levantina Trasporti, Italy.

December 2005: Chartered to Norse Merchant Group for services between Birkenhead – Belfast.

December 6th 2005: Arrived in Birkenhead.

© Norse Merchant Ferries

December 15th 2005: Maiden voyage between Birkenhead – Belfast.

2006: Services for Norfolk Line.

© Barry Graham (Mersey, 21/09/2007)

© Trevor Kidd

© Barry Graham (Birkenhead, 09/05/2008)

© Alan Geddes (Belfast, 24/10/2008)

November 2008: Registered to Mersey Viking Ltd, Hong Kong.

© Simonwp (July 2010)

July 12th 2010: Norfolk Lines were sold to DFDS Seaways Irish Sea Ferries Ltd.

August 3rd 2010: Renamed MERSEY SEAWAYS.

© Simonwp (Birkenhead, 08/10/2010)

December 14th 2010: Sale of DFDS Seaways Irish Sea Ferries Ltd to Stena Line. Stena took over her charter.

Stena Mersey © Malcolm Cranfield

 

© Robert Foy

August 8th 2011: Officially renamed STENA MERSEY.

 

© Robert Foy (Birkenhead, 16/03/2012)

April 29th 2012: Sold to Stena Ropax Ltd, Gothenburg. Management Stena Line Irish Sea Ferries.

© Carsten Dettmer (Birkenhead, April 2019)

 

© Robert Foy (Liverpool, 01/05/2020)

October 2020: Continues to operate between Liverpool – Belfast.

December 16th 2020: Announcement from Stena.

Stena Line reveals the names of the new Baltic Sea vessels

WED, DEC 16, 2020 12:05 CET

Ferry company Stena Line has announced the new names of the two modern ferries that are due to start operating on the route between Nynäshamn in Sweden and Ventspils in Latvia during 2021. The new ferries will add a further 30 percent freight capacity and offer an attractive alternative way to travel on the Baltic Sea. After receiving close to 600 name suggestions from customers online the new names are – Stena Scandica and Stena Baltica.

In October Stena Line announced the strengthening of their Baltic Sea fleet  with the deployment of two modern RoPax vessels on the route between Nynäshamn in Sweden and Ventspils in Latvia during 2021, which will add 30 percent more lane metres freight capacity and offer a brand new modern onboard experience. The two modern RoPax vessels were built at the Italian shipyard Visentini in 2005 and have been operating on Stena Line’s Irish Sea route between Belfast and Liverpool for the last 10 years, with the names Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey. Before they start operating on their new route in the Baltic Sea the two vessels will be modernised and lengthened by sister company Stena RoRo, as well as receive new names.

“The new vessel names connect with our Scandinavian heritage as well as the region where they will operate. They vessels will add a brand new modern onboard experience for both travel and freight customers on the Baltic Sea”, says Johan Edelman, Trade Director Baltic Sea North.

The first of the two vessels, Stena Scandica (ex. Stena Lagan) is currently undergoing a ground-breaking conversion at the Sedef Shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey. It will join the Stena Line fleet and start operating on the Nynäshamn-Ventspils route during the first quarter of 2021.

The second vessel, Stena Mersey, is still operating on the Irish Sea where it will be replaced by Stena Line’s new E-flexer, Stena Embla, when it arrives from China in the new year. It will be modernised and lengthened during the spring at the same shipyard and will re-join the fleet and start sailing on the Baltic Sea before the summer. She will inherit the classic Stena Line vessel name Stena Baltica.

A ground-breaking conversion

The two vessels will be lengthened with a 36 metre mid-section; after the conversion they will be 222 metres long and have a capacity of 200 cabins, 970 passengers and 2,875 freight lane meters plus the additional car deck; adding another 30 percent freight capacity on the route. To increase the loading efficiency, they will also be modified with drive through capabilities on two levels. The vessels will also be fitted with hybrid scrubbers.

“We have seen an increase in demand from our customers across the Baltic Sea region. We are now strengthening our position and customer offer further with new modern vessels, more capacity and an attractive onboard experience on both our routes to and from Latvia during 2021, says Johan Edelman, Trade Director Baltic Sea North.

The interior will be updated to Stena Line’s familiar Scandinavian, light and spacious design. The modern onboard facilities provide a safe and comfortable journey, and include:

• 200 cabins, including 88 brand new modern cabins with same design as our E-flexer ferries . All cabins include TV screens.
• Family cabins, as well as pet friendly cabins, and new pet kennels added onboard
• Restaurant & Bar area with sea view and a café for lighter meals.
• Several lounge areas with reclining seats and TV screens available
• Outdoor sundeck to enjoy fresh sea air and sun in the summer
• Digital info screens and 24/7 guest service.
• Wifi available in all public areas.
• 120 sqm. shop with great assortment and low prices.
• FAST FACTS:  New vessels on Nynäshamn-Ventspils
• Route: Nynäshamn-Ventspils in 2021
• Name: Stena Scandica & Stena Baltica
• Built: 2005 at the Italian shipyard Cantiere Navale Visentini
• Modified/Lengthened: by Stena RoRo during 2020/2021 at the Sedef Shipbuilding in Tuzla, Turkey.
• Length: 222 metres
• Passenger capacity: 970
• Freight capacity: 2,875 lane metres + car deck
• Cabin capacity: 200

New vessels on Liepaja-Travemünde in 2021

In November Stena Line also announced that the existing vessels on the Liepaja-Travemünde route, Stena Gothica and Urd, will be replaced with modern RoPax ferries during 2021. The new vessels will increase the lane metre freight capacity on the route by 40% and shorten the crossing time from 27 to 20 hours. The new vessels on the Liepaja-Travemünde have not yet been named by Stena Line.

Source: Stena Line

February 13th 2021: Final service between Belfast – Birkenhead, Liverpool.

February 14th 2021: Left Birkenhead for Sedef Shipbuilding, Tuzla, Turkey. 

February 25th 2021: Arrived Tuzla for overhaul and lengthening.

February 2021: Renamed STENA BALTICA and re-registered.

December 7th 2021 – December 9th 2021: Sea trials

December 22nd 2021: Left Tuzla for Gdansk.

January 2nd 2022: Arrived Gdansk.

January 16th 2022: Left Gdansk for Ventspils.

January 19th 2022: Commenced services between between Ventspils – Nynäshamn (Norvik).

January 2022: Registered to Stena Baltica Cyprus Ltd, Limassol, Cyprus.

January 27th 2022: Transferred to Danish flag, home port Hellerup.

 

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All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Malcolm Cranfield, Carsten Dettmer, Robert Foy, Alan Geddes,  Barry Graham, Trevor Kidd,  Simonwp and Andreas Wörteler for their assistance in producing this feature.

Article © Nigel Thornton and Ray Goodfellow (Dover Ferry Photos Group)