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A High Seas Adventurer
By Jon Myles
A massive new superferry will be launched on the Holyhead to Dublin Port
route this week.Taosieach Bertie Ahern’s daughter Cecilia will officially
launch the new Stena Adventurer at a ceremony in the Irish capital on July
10.
The 211-metre luxury craft will be the longest on the crossing and will
bring passengers unrivalled levels of service.
The 44,000-ton ship replaces the Stena Forwarder on the route — and brings
a massive increase in capacity. It can carry some 50 per cent more passengers
handling 1,500 travellers on each crossing.
Its deck capacity of 3,700 lane metres also represents a 70 per cent
boost in freight carrying capacity. And the ship boasts an array of facilities
for those travelling on the popular route. It features restaurants, bars,
shops, dedicated children’s areas and a luxury cinema.
The vessel is the latest investment by Stena Line in its Irish Sea routes.
Port facilities in both Dublin and Holyhead have been enhanced to accommodate
the massive new vessel.
Stena Line’s route director Vic Goodwin said: “We have seen tremendous
growth on the Holyhead-Dublin route and we have introduced this larger vessel
to meet the growing demands of the tourist and freight market.”
The Adventurer will operate in tandem with the HSS Stena Explorer — the
world’s largest fast ferry.
Mr Goodwin said: “This major investment emphasises our commitment to
strengthening the economic link between Ireland, Wales and the continent
of Europe.”
The decision to introduce the Adventurer followed Stena Line’s commitment
to invest in a £13.5million development in the port of Holyhead.
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