Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam completes major upgrades to Stena Line’s two Harwich-Hook RoPax ferries
Stena Hollandica in drydock (Source: Stena Line)
Stena Line’s two large RoPax ferries that maintain the service between Harwich, United Kingdom, and the Hook of Holland, The Netherlands, Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica, are now back in service following their drydocking and major upgrade project at the Rotterdam yard of Damen Shiprepair in Schiedam.
The project on each 64,039gt vessel, which are among the world’s largest passenger ferries built in 2010 and 2011, respectively, was completed in just 18 days and has resulted in the following:
- New fuel-saving underwater antifouling paint applied to the hull of each ferry
- A total of 51% of each vessels’ furniture reused
- Passenger capacity increased by over 100 seats on each ferry
- Interior upgrade creates more space and comfort for passengers and freight drivers on Stena’s North Sea corridor
The upgrade of the two ferries has been driven by the changing needs of Stena’s customers on its premier North Sea corridor route. Both sister ships now feature new restaurant and bar options, modern and refreshed seating areas and increased passenger capacity. In addition, the renovation of the two ferries is another step forward in Stena Line’s ambition to reduce its CO2 emissions by 2030, based on its 2019 emission levels.
Based on recent feedback from passengers, the new interior design has been introduced to align the service with passengers’ needs and have been specifically focussed on the areas where passengers spend most of their time. For example, the former à la carte restaurant has been replaced by a new Stena Plus Lounge, seating more than 100 people. For a surcharge of GBP 25, passengers can access the spacious lounge, which includes a variety of complementary drinks and snacks – a premium space for relaxing or working.
Meanwhile, for young families, a new space has been created, the Family Hub with a range of entertainment for all ages. In addition, the smaller, cramped areas at the stern of the two ships have been removed, such as the cinema, meeting room and café, freeing up space for the more open and modern Social Bar & Café. The ships have also had an upgrade to their Wi-Fi using Starlink satellite technology, providing access to a faster and more stable connection during the entire crossing.
A major player involved in the interior upgrade of both Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica, was Belfast, Northern Ireland-based marine outfitters Madden Marine, which specialises on work on cruise vessels and ferries.
On the technical side of the upgrade, both ferries' underwater hull was blasted and recoated with a fuel-saving silicone-based antifouling. The new biocide-free coating is expected to result in annual fuel savings of approximately 780,000 litres. Per ship, this amounts to a reduction of about 2,500 tonnes of CO2 per year. Another benefit is that the silicone paint lasts for eight years instead of the usual two years.
As well as the savings achieved by using the silicone antifouling, each ferries’ propellers have been polished while the vessels were in drydock in Schiedam. Propeller polishing reduces friction in the water, resulting in less drag and therefore more efficient energy use.
