Swedish ferry company Stena Line has taken ownership of its newest ferry, Stena Embla, following a handover ceremony in Weihai, China. The vessel is the third of five new next-generation E-Flexer RoPax vessels that are being constructed at the CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard, as part of an extensive modernisation of the company’s fleet.
It is last of three new vessels due for the Irish Sea, which marks the end of a seven-year development programme totalling a EUR-445-million investment in new ferries and port infrastructure in the region.
The vessel will now embark on a six-week journey to the UK and Ireland, where it will begin service in January 2021, joining its sister vessels, the other two new E-Flexer ferries built in Weihai, Stena Estrid and Stena Edda, which started operation earlier this year.
Due to the pandemic the handover was a lower key affair than previous vessels. Stena Line’s CEO Niclas Mårtensson says the delivery of Stena Embla marks the end of a very difficult year for the firm: ‘Taking ownership of Stena Embla is a major milestone for Stena Line, as we look forward to better times ahead.’
He adds: ‘While delivery of the vessel marks the end of a very tough period for us, it also marks the completion of a very significant investment in our Irish Sea operations. It reflects our strong support for the region that will see three of the world’s most modern ferries operating between Britain and Ireland.’
Forty per cent increase in freight tonnage
The new Stena Line E-Flexer ships are amongst the most advanced and fuel-efficient vessels in operation and are much larger than today’s standard RoPax vessels. At 215 metres in length, Stena Embla will provide freight capacity of 3100 lane metres, meaning a forty per cent increase in freight tonnage, and the space to carry 120 cars and 1000 passengers and crew.
The remaining two E-Flexer vessels under construction in China are even larger versions with a total length of 240 metres. The destination of the as-yet-unnamed ferries has not yet been revealed.
Stena Embla particulars
- Builder: CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard (Weihai, China)
- Type: Ro-Pax ship
- Ferry route / home ports: Birkenhead (Liverpool) – Belfast
- Operator: Stena Line
- Speed: 22 kn
- Length (LOA): 215 m / 705 ft
- Beam (width): 28 m / 92 ft
- Gross Tonnage: 42,400
- Lane metres: 3100
- Passengers: 1000
- Cars: 120
- Freight vehicles: 210
- Cabins: 175
