Stena Baltica outside Karlskrona, Swedenin July 2008. |
|
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Name: | 1986-2002: Koningin Beatrix 2002 onwards: Stena Baltica[1] |
| Operator: | 1986-1989: SMZ 1989-1997: Stena Line BV 1997 onwards: Stena Line |
| Port of registry: | 1986—1997: Hoek van Holland, Netherlands 1997—2002: London, United Kingdom 2002 onwards: Nassau, Bahamas[1] |
| Route: | Karlskrona - Gdynia |
| Builder: | Van der Giessen de Noord, Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands[1] |
| Yard number: | 935[1] |
| Laid down: | 5 January 1985[1] |
| Launched: | 9 November 1985[1] |
| Christened: | 9 November 1985 by Beatrix of the Netherlands[1] |
| Completed: | 1986 |
| Acquired: | 22 April 1986[1] |
| Maiden voyage: | April 1986[1] |
| Status: | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 31,910 GT (gross tonnage)[1] |
| Length: | 164.61 m (540.1 ft) |
| Installed power: | 4 x MAN 8L 40/45 |
| Speed: | 20 knots |
| Capacity: | 1200 passengers 524 vehicles |
MS Stena Baltica is a ro-ro ferry owned by Stena Line and operated on their Karlskrona - Gdynia service. She was built in 1986 by Van der Giessen de Noord as MS Koningin Beatrix for SMZ. In 1989 she passed under Stena Line's ownership and in 2002 she was renamed Stena Baltica.[1]
She is build to a similar design to the SNAV Lazio, SNAV Sardegna, Princess of Norway and King of Scandinavia.
Contents |
The Stena Baltica was built in 1986 by Van der Giessen de Noord as the Koningin Beatrix. She entered service the same year sailing between Hoek van Holland and Harwich for SMZ. In 1989 Stena Line took over the route. She remained on that route until 1997 when she was replaced by the Stena Discovery.
Following the arrival of the Stena Discovery the Koningin Beatrix was transferred to the Fishguard - Rosslare route, replacing the Stena Felicity. She remained on the Fishguard - Rosslare Harbour route until 2002, when she was replaced by former Stena Line BV fleetmate Stena Europe.
In 2003 the Koningin Beatrix was transferred to the Karlskrona - Gdynia route and renamed Stena Baltica.
In 2005 the Stena Baltica was rebuilt at the Remontowa yard. The SEK 235 million.[2] investment included the refurbishment of the passenger facilities on decks 7, 8 and 9. A new vehicle deck was created from stripping the cabin accommodation on decks 5 and 6. Externally, a large vehicle door and ramp was constructed at the bow and number of lifeboats were also removed.
The Stena Baltica and her running partner MS Finnarrow are due to be replaced on the Karlskrona - Gdynia route in 2010 by the Stena Scandinavica and Stena Germanica. Current speculation is that the Stena Baltica will be returning to the Irish Sea or a new route from Gdynia to Goteborg will be launched.
Media related to Stena Baltica at Wikimedia Commons