Stena’s move from Stranraer to Cairnryan in 2011 saw the introduction of newly acquired vessels Stena Superfast VII and VIII, the largest ships to be used on the North Channel link. Stena Superfast VIII is pictured at the company’s impressive Loch Ryan terminal.
EFAS
After the withdrawal of ferry services from Stranraer, Stena Line brought in a pair of sister vessels when switching their Loch Ryan base to a newly-constructed Cairnryan berth and terminal. The first sailings took place on 21 November 2011 by newly acquired 30,285gt sisters Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII.
Instead of bringing in newbuildings for the new Loch Ryan terminal, Stena opted for top-class secondhand tonnage and spent heavily on the chosen pair, which were built by HDW at Kiel in Germany, who were previously closely associated with building naval vessels, and were attempting to move in a fresh direction. Stena’s choice was sisterships Superfast VII and Superfast VIII, which had been completed in 2001 to operate for Superfast Ferries on a newly launched route between Rostock, Germany and Hanko in Finland.