Lengthened Ro-Pax ‘Stena Scandica’ Ready for Baltic Sea Service

Stockholm-based Stena RoRo has taken delivery of the lengthened roll-on/roll-off passenger vessel (Ro-Pax) Stena Scandica to operate in the Baltic Sea.

Formerly named Stena Lagan, the ship arrived at Sedef Shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey, outside Istanbul, in August to undergo a conversion to lengthen the ship to 36 meters. The ship was split in half and a new mid-section was inserted inserted into place, giving the ship a new total length of 222 meters The lengthening increases cargo capacity by about 30 percent, to 2875 cargo meters, while the number of cabins is also increased by 80, bringing its total to 202 cabins and 970 total passengers.

After a 10-day maiden voyage, the Stena Scandica will enter service on Stena Line’s route between Nynäshamn in Sweden to Ventspils, Latvia, planned to kick off next month.

Stena Scandica’s sister ship Stena Baltica (formerly the Stena Mersey) is undergoing the same extensive conversion and is planned to be ready this fall. The two ships were built in 2005 and previously sailed on Stena Line’s route between Belfast and Birkenhead.

“Extending a vessel is a cost-effective way of increasing cargo capacity, while gaining room for more passengers,” says Per Westling, managing director for Stena RoRo AB. “The new interior design and application of modern technology entail an upgraded passenger concept, with more efficient operation and reduced emissions per cargo unit.”

Stena RoRo is part of Stena Line, one of Europe’s leading ferry companies with 37 vessels and 17 routes in Northern Europe. Once completed, Stena Baltica will also join Stena Scandica in the Baltic Sea, part of Stena Line’s expansion in the region.

“Taking delivery of the large, modern and efficient vessel Stena Scandica is a major milestone for Stena Line and enables us to continue to grow together with our customers in the Baltic Sea. During the year we will increase capacity with 30 percent on the Nynäshamn-Ventspils route, and 40 percent on the Liepaja-Travemünde route,” said Stena Line CEO Niclas Mårtensson.

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