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Stena Line BV Harwich Services
 
 
This page is devoted to postcards of Stena Line BV services out of Harwich. An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to pages devoted to selected individual ships. Below the table are official postcards of the fleet. The passenger and ro-pax ships are being added first; a selection of ro-ro freight ferries will be added later.
 
The Harwich-Hook of Holland service had been jointly run by Dutch Stoomvaart Maatschappij Zeeland N.V (S.M.Z.) and various British railway companies for many years. The British operator passed from the Great Eastern Railway (GER), to the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), to British Railways (BR). BR and SMZ later marketed the service as Sealink. The British part of Sealink was later sold to Sea Containers.
 
Stoomvaart Maatschappij Zeeland N.V (S.M.Z.), with the ferry Koningin Beatrix, was acquired by Stena Line Ab in 1989. The route was was managed by Dutch company Stene Line BV. The following year, Sea Containers sold Sealink to Stena Line Ab, and the St Nicholas also joined Stena Line BV.
 
 
Ships on This Page:-
Koningin Beatrix - 1989-97
Rosebay - 1998-2001 (chartered)
St Nicholas - 1990-91
Stena Britannica (2) - 1991-94
Stena Britannica (3) - 2000-2003
Stena Britannica (4) - 2003-
Stena Britannica II - 2003-
Stena Discovery - 1997-
Stena Europe - 1994-97
Stena Hollandica - 2001-
Stena Normandy - 1991
Stena Partner - 2003-
Stena Searider - 1997-
Stena Seatrader - 1989-
Stena Trader - 2007
Stena Transfer - 2003-
Stena Transporter - 2003-
 
 
Associated Pages:-
Stena Line Header Page
Harwich - Page 1 - Piers, Local Ferries, Excursions
Harwich - Page 2 - Continental Ferry Services
Harwich - Page 3 - Trinity House, Lifeboats, Lighthouses
Ferry Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
References:-
 
 
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Table of Individual Ship Pages

Name

Other names

 Built
 Koningin Beatrix  Stena Baltica

 1986
 Stena Britannica (2)  Silvia Regina, Stena Saga

 1981
 Stena Britannica (3)  Finnfellow

 2000
 Stena Britannica (4)  Stena Britannica II

 2003
 Stena Britannica II  Stena Britannica (4)

 2003
 Stena Hollandica  

 2001
 Stena Normandy  Prinsessan Birgitta, St Nicholas, Normandy

 1981
 Stena Partner  Alpha Enterprise, Syria, Stena Transporter, Cerdic Ferry, European Freeway

 1978
 Stena Transfer  Stena Runner, Alpha Progress, Hellas, Doric Ferry, European Tideway

 1977
 Stena Transporter  Merzario Hispana, Nordic Ferry, Pride of Flanders, Flanders

 1977
 St Nicholas  Prinsessan Birgitta, Stena Normandy, Normandy

 1981
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Line BV Fleet List
 
 
Koningin Beatrix
(Stena Line BV: 1989-97)
 
Koningin Beatrix was built in 1986 by Van der Gissen De Noord, for Stoomvaart Maatschappij Zeeland N.V (SMZ). She was used on their joint Harwich-Hook of Holland service with Sealink. The SMZ service was marketed as Crown Line. In 1989, the SMZ operation was sold to Stena Line. Ownership of Koningin Beatrix passed to Stena Ab, and she was chartered to Stena Line BV. In 1997 she was transferred to the Stena Line Fishguard-Rosslare route, when replaced by HSS Stena Discovery. In 2002 she was transferred to the Karlskrona-Gdynia route and renamed Stena Baltica, swapping with Stena Europe.
 
Complete history of Koningin Beatrix
 
 
Koningin Beatrix at Harwich International Port.
Postcard issued by Harwich International Port.
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Seatrader
(Stena Line BV: 1989- )
 
Stena Seatrader was built as Svealand by A/S Nakskov Skipsværft, for Lion Ferry Ab. She was chartered to Swedish Railways (SJ), and entered service in 1973 between Trelleborg-Sassnitz. The charter ended in 1981, and Svealand was sold to Rederi Ab Nordö, Malmö in 1982, becoming Svealand av Malmö. She was rebuilt in Hamburg in 1982 to increase capacity, before entering service between Malmö-Travemünde. She was further ebuilt in 1987 by Oy Wärtsilä Ab, and renamed Svea Link, returning to Malmö-Travemünde service. In 1989, Svea Link was sold to Stena Line Ab. She was renamed Stena Seatrader and used between Harwich-Hook of Holland. In 2001, Stena Seatrader was transferred to the Killingholme-Hook of Holland route.
 
 
Simplon Postcards sp1064 (issued July 1991) of Stena Seatrader at Hook of Holland.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 19th June 1991.
 
 
Simplon Postcards sp1185 (issued september 1994) of Stena Seatrader leaving Harwich.
This was an official card produced for Stena Line BV for sail on the ship.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Ramsey postcard 101 of Stena Seatrader at Hawich.
 
 
Photograph of Stena Seatrader at Hook of Holland.
Photo: © Rob De Visser.
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
Photo: Cees de Bijl, Europoort, August 14th 2003.
 
 
Photo: Cees de Bijl, Europoort, August 14th 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
St Nicholas (Stena Line BV: 1990-91)
Stena Normandy (Stena Line BV: 1991)
 
Stena Normandy was built in 1981 by Götaverken Arendal AbRederi Ab for Göteborg-Frederikshavn Linjen (Sessan Linjen) as the Prinsessan Birgitta. She entered service on the Göteborg-Frederikshavn route. In 1983 she was chartered to Sealink as the St Nicholas, for their Harwich-Hook of Holland service. In 1990, Sealink was acquired by Stena Line Ab. In 1991, St Nicholas was renamed Stena Normandy, in preparation for moving to the Southampton-Cherbourg route later that year. This route closed in 1996. In 1997 she was chartered to Tallink for Tallinn-Helsinki services as the Normandy. In 1997 she was chartered to Irish Ferries as Normandy for use on their France-Ireland routes. She was purchased by Irish Ferries' parent company Irish Continental Line in 1999.
 
Complete history of St Nicholas
 
 
To be added.
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Britannica (2)
(Stena Line BV: 1991-94)
 
Stena Britannica (2) was built in 1981 by Oy Wärtsilä Ab as the Silja Regina of Oy Svea Line. She entered service between Stockholm-Helsinki for Silja Line. In 1987 she was sold to Johnson Line Ab (Oy Silja Line Ab), followed a year later by sale to Stena Line Ab, with charter back to Johnson Line until 1991. She remained in the Silja Line Stockholm-Helsinki service as the Silja Regina throughout this time.
 
In 1991 Silja Regina was chartered to Stena Line BV and renamed Stena Britannica (2) for services between Harwich-Hook of Holland. She was not economic on this service, and in 1994 she was switched to the Oslo-Frederikshavn service (Oslo-Frederikshavn-Göteborg in winter) as the Stena Saga. Her replacement was the Stena Europe.
 
Complete history of Stena Britannica (2)
 
 
Simlon Postcards issue sp1063, released July 1991, of Stena Britannica (2).
Shown arriving at Hook of Holland prior to maiden voyage on this route.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 19th June 1991.
 
 
Simlon Postcards release sp1068, issued July 1991, of Stena Britannica (2) at Harwich.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 23rd June 1991.
 
 
Simlon Postcards release sp1146, issued May 1993, of Stena Britannica (2) at Harwich in 1992.
Photo: © Margaret Boyle.
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Europe
(Stena Line BV: 1994-97)
 
Stena Europe was built in 1981 by Götaverken Arendal AbRederi Ab for Göteborg-Frederikshavn Linjen (Sessan Linjen) as the Kronprinsessan Victoria. She entered service on the Göteborg-Frederikshavn route. In 1982, Stena line acquired a majority interest in Sessan Linjen, and Kronprinsessan Victoria moved to the Göteborg-Kiel route. In 1988 she was renamed Stena Saga and transferred to routes Oslo-Frederikshavn and Oslo-Frederikshavn-Göteborg. In 1994 she swapped routes with Stena Britannica (2), becoming the Stena Europe on Harwich-Hook of Holland services. In 1997 she transferred to the Karlskrona-Gdynia route as Lion Europe, when replaced by HSS Stena Discovery. She reverted back to the name Stena Europe the following year, when Stena dropped the Lion Ferry marketing name. In 2002 Stena Europe replaced the Koningin Beatrix on Fishguard-Rosslare services.
 
 
Ramsey postcard (serial 81) of Stena Europe.
Photo: © Philip Cone.
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Searider
(Stena Line BV: 1997- )
 
Stena Searider was built in 1969 in Helsinki as the Finncarrier of Finnlines, for service between Finland, denmark and Germany. In 1975 she was renamed Polaris, and in 1984 was sold to Rederi AB Nordö for their service between Malmö and Travemünde as the Scandinavia. In 1987 she was rebuilt ti incease trailer capacity. In 1989, name became Nordö Link. In 1990, Nordö Link was sold to Stena Line and renamed Stena Searider. for service between Gothenburg and Travemünde. In 1992 she was chartered to Norse Irish ferries and renamed Norse Mersey, but returned to Stena Line's Gothenburg-Travemünde service in 1993, also operating on Gothenburg-Kiel. In 1997 she was transferred to the Harwich-Hook route, moving to Harwich-Killingholm in 2001.
 
 
Ramsey postcard (serial 117) of Stena Searider.
Photo: © Philip Cone.
 
 
Photo: © Rob de Visser.
 
 
Photo: © Rob de Visser.
 
 
Photo: © Rob de Visser.
 
 
 
 
 
HSS Stena Discovery
(Stena Line BV: 1997- )
 
Stena Discovery was built in 1997 by Finnyards, Rauma, Finland as the third large HSS ferry following the Stena Explorer and Stena Voyager. When she entered service, the conventional passenger ferries Stena Europe and Koningin Beatrix were transferred to other routes, so the HSS had no backup when services were cancelled due to weather. In 2000 she was joined by the first of two large ro-pax ferries which both offered passenger accommodation, the Stena Britannica (3). Stena Discovery was withdrawn from the Harwich-Hook route on 8th January 2007 due to increasing fuel costs. The Stena Britannica (4) and Stena Hollandica were lengthened in turn between 18th January and May 2007, temporarily replaced by the Stena Trader.
 
 
The photos below were taken by Ian Boyle at Harwich in March 2003.
Additional photos on this link.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rosebay
(Stena Line BV: 1998-2001 - Chartered)
 
 
Ramsey postcard (serial 79) of Rosebay.
Photo: © Philip Cone.
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Britannica (3)
(Stena Line BV: 2000-2003)
 
Stena Britannica (3) was one of four sisters in the Stena Seapacer series ordered by Stena Ro-Ro from Spanish builders. The first two sisters, built in 1999, became the Finnclipper and Finneagle of Finnlines. Stena Britannica (3) was built in 2000, and chartered to Stena Line BV for their new ro-pax service between Harwich-Hook of Holland. This service was so successful that a larger ship was needed on the overnight services from Holland. In February 2003 Stena Britannica (3) was replaced by the Korean-built Stena Britannica II, later renamed Stena Britannica (4). Stena Britannica (3) was sold to Finnlines as Finnfellow, joining her sisters Finnclipper and Finneagle.
 
Compelete history of Stena Britannica (3)
 
 
The official Stena Line postcard of Stena Britannica (3) is shown below.
 
 
Simplon Postcards serial sp1266 of Stena Britannica (3), issued August 2001.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich.
 
 
Ramsey Postcards serial 130 of Stena Britannica (3), issued September 2001.
Photo: © Philip Cone.
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Hollandica (2001- )
 
Stena Hollandica is the fourth and final Stena Seapacer class ship, and was delivered from Spain in 2001.
 
Complete history of Stena Hollandica
 
 
The official Stena Line postcard of Stena Britannica shown below also covers Stena Hollandica.
 
 
p.oostcards release F208 of Stena Hollandica.
 
 
Stena Hollandica leaving Harwich on the 8.45am sailing to Hook of Holland.
Photos: © Ian Boyle, 16th November 2003.
Additional photographs are available on this link.
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Britannica II (2003)
Stena Britannica (4) (2003- )
 
The success of the Harwich-Hook ro-pax service introduced with the Stena Britannica in 2000 was such that a larger vessel was required on the overnight services from Holland. Stena Britannica II was delivered from Korea in February 2003. Her sistership is Stena Adventurer on the Holyhead-Dublin service. There are currently no plans to replace Stena Hollandica on the overnight service from Harwich. Stena Britannica II was soon renamed Stena Britannica, the fourth ship of the name.
 
Additional photographs of Stena Britannica (4)
 
 
Stena Britannica II leaving Harwich on the 8.45am sailing to Hook of Holland.
Photos: © Ian Boyle, 16th March 2003.
 
 
Stena Britannica II leaving Harwich on the 8.45am sailing to Hook of Holland.
Photos: © Ian Boyle, 16th March 2003.
 
 
Lengthened Stena Britannica leaving for the Hook of Holland
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th march 2007
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Lengthened Stena Britannica leaving for the Hook of Holland
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th march 2007
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Lengthened Stena Britannica passing Felixstowe
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th March 2007
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Lengthened Stena Britannica passing Felixstowe
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th March 2007
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Lengthened Stena Britannica passing Felixstowe
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th March 2007
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Stena Britannica at Harwich International Port
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st March 2008
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Partner
(Stena Line BV: 2003- )
 
Stena Partner was one of a class of 11 sister ships built by Hyundia in South Korea between 1977/78. They were built by Stena Line for charter or sale, and her first charter was to Arghiris Line of Greece, as the Alpha Enterprise. In 1979 she had a brief charter to North Sea Ferries. Alpha Enterprise was then rebuilt with extra passenger and freight accommodation at Hapag Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven, before passing to Hellas Ferries as the Syria, for a service from Greece to Syria. Her sistership Stena Transfer also worked for Hellas Ferries as Hellas (2). In 1981 Syria returned to Hapag Lloyd Werft for lengthening. From 1982-1983 she was chartered to Townsend Thoresen European Ferries, for Felixstowe-Europoort service, before returning to Stena Line, who renamed her Stena Transporter. She then had short charters to TT-SAGA Line and Cobelfret in 1984. In 1985 Stena Transporter was chartered by Townsend Thoresen European Ferries, becoming the Cerdic Ferry on services from Felixstowe. In 1992, the charter passed to P&O European Ferries when P&O acquired the Townsend Thoresen routes, and she was renamed European Freeway. In 1994 European Freeway was puchased by P&O, remaining on Felixstowe-Rotterdam (Europoort service). In 2002, the P&O Felixstowe services were sold to Stena Line. European Freeway was briefly renamed Freeway before becoming Stena Partner in January 2003. The UK terminal for the Europoort service was moved to Harwich.
 
Complete history of Stena Partner
 
 
Photograph of Stena Partner arriving at Harwich.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th May 2005.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th May 2005.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th May 2005.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th May 2005.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th May 2005.
 
 
Photo: © Rob de Visser.
Scan supplied by Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
Stena Partner leaving Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st March 2008
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Transfer
(Stena Line BV: 2003- )
 
Stena Transfer was buiklt as Stena Runner, one of a class of 11 sister ships built by Hyundia in South Korea between 1977/78. They were built by Stena Line for charter or sale, and Stena Runner's first charter was to Arghiris Line of Greece, as the Alpha Progress. In 1979 she had a brief charter to Tor Line. Alpha Progress was then rebuilt with extra passenger and freight accommodation at Hapag Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven, before passing to Hellas Ferries as the Hellas (2), for a service from Greece to Syria. In 1981 Hellas returned to Hapag Lloyd Werft for lengthening. In 1981 she was chartered to Townsend Thoresen European Ferries, returning later to Hellas ferries. Years for which she operated as Hellas (2) were 1979, 1980-1982 and 1983-1986, with some of the intermediate years being covered by the Stena Nordica of 1975, which also operated with Hellas Ferries as Hellas (1). In 1986 Hellas (2) was purchased by Townsend Thoresen European Ferries, becoming the Doric Ferry on services from Felixstowe. In 1992, the charter passed to P&O European Ferries when P&O acquired the Townsend Thoresen routes, and she was renamed European Tideway. In 1994 European Tideway was puchased by P&O, remaining on Felixstowe-Rotterdam (Europoort service). In 2002, the P&O Felixstowe services were sold to Stena Line. European Tideway was briefly renamed Ideway before becoming Stena Transfer. The UK terminal for the Europoort service was moved to Harwich.
 
Complete history of Stena Transfer
 
 
Photograph of Stena Transfer.
Photo: © Cees de Bijl, Europoort, August 14th 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Stena Transfer.
Photo: © Rob de Visser.
Scan supplied by Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
Photograph of Stena Transfer.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, July 3rd 2004.
 
 
Photograph of Stena Transfer.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, September 17th, 2005.
 
 
Photograph of Stena Transfer.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, September 17th, 2005.
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Transporter
(Stena Line BV: 2003- )
 
Stena Transporter was built as one of a class of 11 sister ships built by Hyundai in South Korea between 1977/78. They were built for Stena Line for charter or sale. Her first charter was as Merzario Hispania with Merzario Lines. In January 1980 she was cahertered to Townsend Thoresen European Ferries, for Felixstowe-Europoort service as Nordic Ferry. In December 1980, Nordic Ferry was rebuilt with extra passenger and freight accommodation at Hapag Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven, returning to Townsend Thoresen European Ferries in February 1981. In 1986, Nordic Ferry was converted into a fairly basic passenger ferry (cabins had minimal private facilities) by the addition of accommodation blocks on the upper freight deck. She transferred to the Felixstowe-Zeebrugge service, replacing two of the Super-Vikings which moved to Portsmouth. In 1987, the charter passed to P&O European Ferries when P&O acquired the Townsend Thoresen routes, and in 1992 she was renamed Pride of Flanders. In 1995, the Felixstowe-Zeebrugge service reverted to freight only, and Pride of Flanders had her passenger accommodation removed the following year at Harland & Wolff. She returned to service on the Felixstowe-Europoort service. In July 2002, Pride of Flanders was sold to Stena Line and temporarily renamed Flanders. The UK terminal was switched from Felixstowe to Harwich. Flanders was renamed Stena Transporter and was chartered to Scandlines for service between Trelleborg and Travemünde from September to November 2002, after which she returned to Harwich-Europoort. From April to July 2003, Stena Transporter ran between Dublin and Holyhead.
 
Complete history of Stena Transporter
 
Photo: © Rob de Visser.
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
Stena Transporter leaving Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th march 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Stena Transporter leaving Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 12th march 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
Stena Trader
(Stena Line BV: 2006- )
 
Stena Discovery was withdrawn from the Harwich-Hook route on 8th January 2007 due to increasing fuel costs. The Stena Britannica (4) and Stena Hollandica were lengthened in turn between 18th January and May 2007, temporarily replaced by the Stena Trader.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, January 28th, 2007
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, January 28th, 2007
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, January 28th, 2007
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, January 28th, 2007
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, January 28th, 2007
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, January 28th, 2007
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, January 28th, 2007
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