EU – Baltic States, Good for Business, Latvia, Tourism, Transport

Previously, the two RoPax ferries, built in 2005, were called the Stena Lagan and the Stena Mersey. The vessels' new names have been chosen based on close to 600 name suggestions sent by customers online.

"The new vessel names connect with our Scandinavian heritage as well as the region where they will operate. The 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 Ventspils-Nynashamn 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 modernized and lengthened during the spring at the same shipyard and will rejoin the fleet and start sailing on the Baltic Sea before the summer. She will inherit the classic Stena Line vessel name Stena Baltica.

The two vessels will be lengthened with a 36 meter mid-section. After the conversion they will be 222 meters long and have a capacity of 200 cabins, 970 passengers, and 2,875 freight lane meters plus the additional car deck; adding another 30% 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.

As reported, Stena Line will replace its existing ferries running on the Ventspils-Nynashamn route with new ones, increasing freight capacity by 30%.  

Stena Line operates 18 ferry routes in Europe, including three in the Baltic Sea region.