MS Stena Horizon

Stena Horizon approaching Rosslare Harbour
History
Name	2006–2011: Cartour Beta 2011–2014: Celtic Horizon 2014 onwards: Stena Horizon
Operator	2006–2011: Caronte & Tourist 2011–2014: Celtic Link Ferries 2014 onwards: Stena Line
Port of registry	2006 onwards: Bari,  Italy October 2024 onwards: Limassol,  Cyprus [1]
Route	Cherbourg - Rosslare
Builder	Cantiere Navale Visentini
Yard number	214
Launched	12 December 2005
Identification	Call sign: IBPT IMO number: 9332559 MMSI number: 247160400
Status	In service
General characteristics
Tonnage	27,552 GT
Length	186.46 m (612 ft)[2]
Beam	25.60 m (84 ft)[2]
Draught	6.60 m (22 ft)[2]
Installed power	2 x MAN 9L48/60B diesel engines
Propulsion	2 × controllable pitch propellers 2 × bow thrusters
Speed	24 knots
Capacity	972 passengers (Restricted to 660 by Stena) 2,244 lane meters

Stena Horizon is a passenger and vehicle ferry operated by Stena Line. The vessel operates between Rosslare, Ireland and Cherbourg, France.

History

Stena Horizon was built in 2006 as the Cartour Beta. She was constructed at the Italian shipyard of Cantiere Navale Visentini.

Caronte & Tourist

Upon completion the vessel was chartered to Sicilian ferry operator Caronte & Tourist. The vessel operated between Salerno and Messina until replaced by a new ship in May 2011.

Celtic Link

In October 2011 the vessel entered service with Irish ferry operator Celtic Link Ferries replacing the Norman Voyager. Prior to entering service the ship was renamed Celtic Horizon.

Stena Line

On 26 February 2014 Stena Line announced that they had agreed to purchase Celtic Link Ferries with effect from 31 March 2014.^[3] Celtic Horizon was renamed Stena Horizon and is managed by Northern Marine Ferries.^[4] Stena Horizon carries a maximum of 660 passengers,^[5] though she has a design capacity for 972.

Sisterships

Stena Horizon is the third of four near-identical ships built by Cantiere Navale Visentini. The other ships being Stena Mersey, Stena Lagan and Cartour Gamma.

References

1. https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:1527211/mmsi:212112000/imo:9332559/vessel:STENA_HORIZON#overview
2. NAOS Ship and Boat Design "P244 Cartour Beta", accessed 16 October 2011
3. "New Service Rosslare-Cherbourg". Stena Line. 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
4. "French Route Newcomer 'Horizon' to Join Stena Group's New Northern Marine Ferries". Afloat. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
5. "Stena Horizon". NI Ferry Site. October 2020.