Stena Line Announces New Milestone in Multi-Million Pound Investment Programme

LONDON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Stena Line's second Superferry, Stena Britannica, is now officially handed over from Nordic Yards in Wismar to Stena Line, and it was entered into service on Harwich-Hook of Holland on 9th October 2010.

Stena Line's investment into both North Sea Superferry vessels amounts to over 375m pounds Sterling and it is the single largest investment that Stena Line has made.

"Right now, we find ourselves in a very intensive period where the completion of the Stena Britannica Superferry is an important milestone. At the same time, we are implementing the largest transfer of vessels in Stena Line's history, where five routes in total are receiving new vessels. Including the investment in the Superferries, the value of the entire venture amounts to almost 10 billion SEK [942.5m pounds] and it will lead to a substantial lift for Stena Line's business, with more modern and even more attractive vessels on the concerned routes," said Stena Line's CEO, Gunnar Blomdahl.

The vessels transferred are being converted to suit the route in question. For example, on the new Stena Germanica, and later also on Stena Scandinavica, a completely new cabin section with five-star cabins has been built and the restaurant environments are modern and innovative, including an open kitchen where the chefs cook food in front of the guests. On the new Stena Vision and Stena Spirit, a completely new spa area is being built; cabins are being renovated and rebuilt at the same time as the capacity on the car decks is increased.

The construction of the new Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica, which entered service at the start of the summer, started a few years ago and the two vessels are revolutionary in several ways: they are the world's largest ferries; they have the latest technology in order to be as energy efficient as possible and they have a large selection of modern restaurants, cabins and opportunities for relaxation.

"Many of our customers demand a relaxing trip with good food, comfortable cabins and relaxing experiences when they travel with our ferries and the alterations we are implementing now are completely in line with this," said Gunnar Blomdahl.

About Stena Line:

In the UK alone, Stena Line offers two daily ferry crossings on its Harwich to Hook of Holland route as well as over 30 daily crossings on its five different routes to Ireland (Stranraer to Belfast, Fleetwood to Larne, Holyhead to Dublin, Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and Fishguard to Rosslare) providing fast and efficient crossings with excellent onboard services and facilities.

SOURCE Stena Line