Stena orders four more from Russia

Stena has placed an order for up to four new ropax vessels with the Baltiysky

Zavod yard in St Petersburg, Russia. The Russian yard is already building the hulls for two similar ropax vessels in the ?Seabridger? class which will be equipped and finished by Fosen Mek. Verksteder in Norway. The two-ship contract was valued at EUR

60 million for each ship but it is understood that the four latest will be delivered ?turn-key? from St Petersburg.

There is as yet no decision where the vessels now ordered will be employed, but Stena RoRo is a vessel investment- and chartering arm of Stena AB. The company’s vessels are currently employed with several ferry companies, including Stena Line. One of the most recent deals was a 5-year charter of the ?Stena Challenger? to New Zealand.

The new vessels are approximately the same size as the ?Seabridger? class, but with more space for passengers (300). Delivery will take place 2008 and onwards.