Stena Mersey as Mersey Seaways in Liverpool |
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| Career | |
|---|---|
| Name: | 2005-2010: Mersey Viking 2010-2011: Mersey Seaways 2011 onwards: Stena Mersey |
| Owner: | Levantina Trasporti Srl |
| Operator: | 2005-2006: Norse Merchant Ferries 2006-2010: Norfolkline 2010-2010: DFDS Seaways Dec 2010 onwards: Stena Line |
| Port of registry: | 2005-2008: Bari, Italy 2008-present: Belfast, United Kingdom |
| Builder: | Cantiere Navale Visentini |
| Yard number: | 213 |
| Completed: | December 2005 |
| Maiden voyage: | December 2005 |
| Identification: | IMO number: 9329851 |
| Status: | in service |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Tonnage: | 26,500 GRT |
| Length: | 186.46 m (611.7 ft) |
| Beam: | 25.6 m (84 ft) |
| Draft: | 6.63 m (21.8 ft) |
| Installed power: | 2 x MAN B&W 9L 48/60B |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Controllable pitch propellers 2 x bow thrusters |
| Speed: | 24 knots (44 km/h) |
| Capacity: | 980 passengers |
The Stena Mersey is a RoPax ferry operated by Stena Line between Birkenhead and Belfast.
She was built in Italy by Cantiere Navale Visentini. She is 26,500GRT and can carry up to 980 passengers in her 2 lounges, and can sleep up to 480 passengers in cabins. She has 4 vehicle decks and room for around 200 lorries. Her maximum speed is 27 knots, but usually sails at 23 knots maximum.
The Mersey Viking name has been in the company since 1997 (formerly Norse Irish Ferries), The original Mersey Viking was renamed Dublin Viking and transferred to the Birkenhead - Dublin route.
Contents |
The Stena Mersey was launched in December 2005 as the Mersey Viking, Entering service with Norse Merchant Ferries later the same month. Within a few months of operation, Norse Merchant Ferries was acquired by Norfolkline. The Mersey Viking received Norfolkline lettering on her red hull but retained her Norse Merchant Ferries funnel for many years.
In July 2010 Norfolkline was acquired by DFDS. The vessel was renamed Mersey Seaways during her refit in August 2010. Later that same year, DFDS sold its Northern Irish operations to Stena Line.[2] The sale included the Belfast - Birkenhead route and the chartered Mersey Seaways. In August 2011 the vessel was renamed Stena Mersey[3]
Stena Mersey operates on the Birkenhead-Belfast route with her marginally older sister ship the Stena Lagan. The total journey time on board the ship is 7 hours.
The ship has several facilities on board such as restaurants, bars, shops and a cinema.