Stena Line introduces new ship for Dublin-Holyhead service

Stena Line has announced the introduction of a new Ropax (freight and passenger) ship to replace the Stena Challenger on its Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead service, boosting both freight and passenger capacity on the route.

The Stena Forwarder has been chartered from the Italian Visentini Group and will start service in Spring 2001. Stena Forwarder will operate in conjunction with the HSS Stena Explorer - the world’s largest high-speed ferry - jointly providing up to 12 sailing a day between Dublin/Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead.

The Stena Forwarder can accommodate 1,000 passengers - double that of the Stena Challenger - and has capacity for 2,100 metres of freight and 100 cars - an increase of some 60 per cent. The ship will offer over 100 cabins and a superior range of onboard facilities.

Capable of a speed up to 24 knots, the Stena Forwarder is much faster than Stena Challenger enabling the crossing time between Dublin and Holyhead to be reduced by up to 45 minutes.
Route Director for Stena Line’s Irish Sea Central Corridor services, Vic Goodwin, said, “We are delighted to have secured this ship which will provide a much needed boost to both freight, coach and passenger capacity, shorten journey times and improve the quality of service to our customers. This major investment emphasises Stena Line’s commitment to strengthening the links between Ireland, the UK and continental Europe.”

Stena Line carried 1.5 million passengers 227,000 cars and just under 100,000 freight units on the Dublin/Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead routes in 1999 and is anticipating significant growth in the market due to the buoyant Irish economy coupled with the improved road access to the Holyhead port due for completion in December 2000.