By
Alex Smith |
Stena Line’s third E-Flexer Stena Embla has successfully completed its sea trials in China’s Yellow Sea.
Stena Embla is currently being built at the CMI Jingling Weihai Shipyard in China. The tests included trials of engine performance and fuel consumption, navigation and radio equipment and emergency systems, as well as maneuverability, engine, thruster and safety tests.
“It is great to see that the shipyard has not missed a beat during this year’s final stages of the build,” said Paul Grant, trade director for the Irish Sea at Stena Line. “Sea trials are a critical phase in a new ship’s development; it is our first opportunity to test a new vessel out at sea and put her through her paces to ensure that she is up to our high standards. We now look forward to the full handover of the vessel by the shipyard and starting her journey to the Irish Sea.”
An official handover ceremony will be held at the shipyard before Stena Embla sails from China to Belfast, UK. She will arrive in late December and begin operating the route across the Irish Sea between Belfast and Birkenhead, UK, in early 2021 alongside her sister ship Stena Edda.
“The Irish Sea is very important to Stena Line’s global business and represents a significant part of our overall revenue,” said Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line. “We strongly believe that our ferry business on the Irish Sea will continue to grow. It remains a key region for the company, as evidenced by our continued investment and the addition of three new vessels. I am proud that as Europe’s largest ferry company, Stena Line continues to shape the industry for life after the global pandemic and to put us into a position to support our customers after Brexit.”
The new vessel will replace Stena Mersey, which has operated the route for 10 years. Stena Mersey is set to undergo lengthening before being redeployed on the Baltic Sea. Construction has also begun on two further E-Flexer ferries at CMI Jingling Weihai Shipyard, which are scheduled for delivery in 2022.