Mersey Viking
Encyclopedia
The Stena Mersey is a RoPax ferry
operated by Stena Line
between Birkenhead
and Belfast
.
She was built in Italy by Cantiere Navale Visentini
. She is 26,500GRT and can carry up to 980 passengers in her 2 lounges, and can sleep up to 480 passengers in cabins. She has 4 vehicle decks and room for around 200 lorries. Her maximum speed is 27 knots, but usually sails at 23 knots maximum.
The Mersey Viking name has been in the company since 1997 (formerly Norse Irish Ferries
), The original Mersey Viking was renamed Dublin Viking and transferred to the Birkenhead - Dublin route.
later the same month. Within a few months of operation, Norse Merchant Ferries was acquired by Norfolkline
. The Mersey Viking received Norfolkline lettering on her red hull but retained her Norse Merchant Ferries funnel for many years.
In July 2010 Norfolkline was acquired by DFDS
. The vessel was renamed Mersey Seaways during her refit in August 2010. Later that same year, DFDS sold its Northern Irish operations to Stena Line
. The sale included the Belfast - Birkenhead route and the chartered Mersey Seaways. In August 2011 the vessel was renamed Stena Mersey
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
operated by Stena Line
Stena Line
Stena Line is one of the world's largest ferry operators, with ferry services serving Scotland, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Norway, England, Wales, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Stena Line is a major unit of Stena AB, itself a part of the Stena Sphere, a grouping of Stena AB,...
between Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.
She was built in Italy by Cantiere Navale Visentini
Cantiere Navale Visentini
Cantiere Navale di Visentini is a family owned Italian shipbuilder, based in Donada near Venice. The company is largest private shipbuilder in Italy.-Deliveries:...
. She is 26,500GRT and can carry up to 980 passengers in her 2 lounges, and can sleep up to 480 passengers in cabins. She has 4 vehicle decks and room for around 200 lorries. Her maximum speed is 27 knots, but usually sails at 23 knots maximum.
The Mersey Viking name has been in the company since 1997 (formerly Norse Irish Ferries
Norse Irish Ferries
Norse Irish Ferries was an Irish Sea ferry company that operated a passenger and freight roll-on/roll-off service between Belfast and Liverpool.-History:...
), The original Mersey Viking was renamed Dublin Viking and transferred to the Birkenhead - Dublin route.
History
The Stena Mersey was launched in December 2005 as the Mersey Viking, Entering service with Norse Merchant FerriesNorse Merchant Ferries
Norse Merchant Ferries was an Irish Sea ferry company that operating passenger and freight RORO services between England the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.-History:...
later the same month. Within a few months of operation, Norse Merchant Ferries was acquired by Norfolkline
Norfolkline
Norfolkline was a European ferry operator and logistics company owned by Maersk. It provided freight ferry services on the English channel, Irish Sea, and the North Sea; and passenger ferry services on the English channel and Irish Sea; and logistics services across Europe...
. The Mersey Viking received Norfolkline lettering on her red hull but retained her Norse Merchant Ferries funnel for many years.
In July 2010 Norfolkline was acquired by DFDS
DFDS
DFDS is a Danish shipping company. It is one of the world's largest ferry operators. The companies name is an acronym of Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab DFDS is a Danish shipping company. It is one of the world's largest ferry operators. The companies name is an acronym of Det Forenede...
. The vessel was renamed Mersey Seaways during her refit in August 2010. Later that same year, DFDS sold its Northern Irish operations to Stena Line
Stena Line
Stena Line is one of the world's largest ferry operators, with ferry services serving Scotland, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Norway, England, Wales, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Stena Line is a major unit of Stena AB, itself a part of the Stena Sphere, a grouping of Stena AB,...
. The sale included the Belfast - Birkenhead route and the chartered Mersey Seaways. In August 2011 the vessel was renamed Stena Mersey