Stena-Hibernia Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The Stena Hibernia ferry remains grounded at Dublin Port following an oil spill incident on April 20th, while it was refueling from the tanker Coralwater. The vessel, identified by IMO number 9180299, is not expected to resume operations until after May 10. Currently, the ferry is docked at terminal 49-52. In the meantime, Stena Line has adjusted its schedule for departures until the ferry is back in service: From Dublin, sailings are set from Tuesday to Saturday at 5:00 a.m., while from Birkenhead, services are available Tuesday to Friday and Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Stena Line is actively working to expedite the vessel's return to service and will provide updates as soon as it is ready to sail again on this route.

On April 20, 2026, an oil spill occurred while refueling the 'Stena Hibernia' at a berth on the eastern side of Dublin Port around 8:05 p.m. The port authorities promptly activated their Oil Spill Response Plan to manage the situation effectively. Fortunately, the leak source was promptly secured, preventing further spread, and the spill was contained to a limited area. Response teams, in collaboration with the Coast Guard and other relevant authorities, are actively addressing the incident. Containment booms were deployed, while specialized contractors have been engaged to recover the spillage. Importantly, the Dublin Port shipping channel remained largely unaffected, ensuring that other river users were not impacted by the incident. In the aftermath, the Dublin Port Company initiated an investigation to comprehensively assess the cause and extent of the spill. As of April 22, the 'Stena Hibernia' continues to remain stationary in the port.

On October 12, 2024, the Stena Hibernia encountered significant issues while leaving Belfast, necessitating the assistance of two tugboats for a safe towing. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. as the vessel was on its way to Heysham. It experienced a total engine failure, leading to a complete power loss as it traversed the waters near Holywood, County Down, prompting the ship to drop anchor until help arrived. The Stena Hibernia was subsequently towed for necessary repairs, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by maritime operations. For further details and visuals from the event, visit the Belfast Telegraph report at: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/stena-line-vessel-gets-into-difficulties-at-sea-while-leaving-belfast/a180017540.html.

Stena Line is commemorating a significant milestone with the first anniversary of the STENA HIBERNIA, which has been operational on the vital Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast route. Launched in November 2013, the STENA HIBERNIA has consistently demonstrated robust performance, significantly contributing to Stena Line's growth in freight traffic over the past year. Richard Horswill, the Head of Freight for Stena Line UK and Ireland, remarked, 'The introduction of the STENA HIBERNIA was a strategic move to complement our existing vessels, the STENA LAGAN and STENA MERSEY, in response to the rising demand for freight capacity on this route. This enhancement allows our customers to fulfill next-day orders effectively for their clientele.' With this expansion, Stena Line continues to solidify its position as an industry leader in ferry services across the region.

In a strategic move to cater to growing customer demand, Stena Line is set to launch a third vessel on its Liverpool-Belfast route this week. The Stena Hibernia is scheduled to embark on its inaugural journey on Tuesday, adding an impressive eight additional crossings each week. This will elevate the total sailings on this crucial freight route to 34 per week. Ross Thompson, group sales director at Peel Ports Group, which operates the Port of Liverpool, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, 'We are thrilled to welcome the Stena Hibernia to the Port of Liverpool. This development not only strengthens our partnership with Stena Line but also marks a significant growth phase for the freight market.' He emphasized the commitment of both Peel Ports and Stena Line to enhance trade in the Irish Sea, positioning both Belfast and the Port of Liverpool as key freight hubs. The new timetable for the Stena Hibernia will see it departing from Liverpool Tuesday to Friday at 0300hrs and leaving Belfast on the same days at 1500hrs.