Stena Seatrader

 

The Stena Seatrader is seen leaving Dublin for Holyhead on Thursday 2 November 2006. Obviously a cheap supply of blue paint was found! © Nick Robins

During September 2006 Stena Line redeployed an existing ferry from its North Sea fleet, the Stena Seatrader, to commence operations on the Holyhead - Dublin service. The new service completed one round trip per day, leaving Holyhead at 22:15hrs and Dublin at 15:15hrs, increasing capacity on the corridor significantly.

The Stena Seatrader leaves Hoek van Holland for Holyhead. © Henk van der Lugt

First arrival at Holyhead, from Holland. © John Lewis

The additional ship came on the back of a successful year for Stena Line which saw total freight volumes grow by 8% during 2005.  The company’s five Irish Sea routes were particularly successful enjoying growth of 16%, with the biggest increase taking place on on the Holyhead to Dublin Bay routes where the number of freight vehicles travelling on these routes jumped to 173,000 units.  

First day in service at Holyhead; the Stena Seatrader loads for Dublin. © John Lewis

The UK-flag ship was owned by Stena BV and managed by Northern Marine Management. Built in 1973 by A/S Nakskov Skibsværft as the Svealand for Lion Ferry Ab, she was immediately chartered to Swedish Railways for service between Trelleborg and Sassnitz. In 1981 she was sold to Rederi Ab Nordö and before entering service between Malmö and Travemünde was rebuilt in Hamburg to increase capacity. She was further rebuilt in 1987 by and renamed Svea Link. The ship was sold to Stena in 1989 and renamed Stena Seatrader for service between Harwich and Hoek van Holland. She was transferred to the Killingholme-Hoek van Holland route in 2001.

 

The Irish Sea's Night Owl, captured in summer evening sunlight arriving at Holyhead. © John Lewis

The Stena Seatrader offered accommodation for up to 236 passengers and capacity for 2100 metres of freight. Her Pielstick diesels gave her a speed of 17.5 knots. Length is 182.7 metres, beam 22.13 metres and draught 6.22 metres.

The Stena Seatrader loads Holyhead - bound freight at Dublin for the final time - 12th November 2008.  © Gordon Hislip

Off to pastures new. Renamed Seatrade, the ship is seen Merwehaven, Rotterdam on 20th December 2008. Two days later she left for Thessaloniki. © Henk van der Lugt