Repairs had to be carried out on Stena Line’s £160m new ferry before she set sail on her maiden voyage this week after leaks were found on more than 20 windows.
Stena Estrid launched yesterday morning and set sail during Storm Brendan – giving the vessel a “baptism of fire” on the Irish Sea, which it passed with flying colours.
But North Wales Live was told that leaks were found on windows after it arrived at Holyhead port following a 10,000 sail from the AVIC Weihai Shipyard in China, where it was built.
This was confirmed by Stena Line who said the seals had to be replaced on between 20 and 30 windows at the end of last week.
(Image: David Powell / Daily Post Wales)
Ferry bosses said it was a “glitch” that they decided to deal with at port while it was awaiting its clearance to sail from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Ian Davies, Stena Line Trade Director Irish Sea South, said: “The windows were weeping, it was not a ship stopping problem but as she was in port we decided we would get the work done.
“This is just one of those small glitches, the equivalent of a dripping tap in a house.
“The seals were replaced on around 20 to 30 windows and the issue resolved.”
Any potential issues would have been fully tested yesterday as the ship took to the Irish Sea in 70mph winds on her first commercial sail from Holyhead to Dublin.
Mr Davies added: “Overall we are delighted with the ship.
(Image: David Powell / Daily Post Wales)
“It was designed in Sweden and has been built in China, with many components from Europe and overseen by a team from Germany.
“We are very pleased with the result.”
Described as one of the most modern ferries in the world, Stena Estrid will provide freight capacity of 3,100 lane meters, meaning a 50 per cent increase in freight tonnage, and the space to carry 120 cars and 1,000 passengers and crew.
The ship has a crossing time of three hours and 15 minutes.
It is the first of five new Stena Line next-generation RoPax vessels that are being constructed at the AVIC Weihai Shipyard in China.
Sister ship Stena Edda is due to commence operations from Belfast to Liverpool in spring 2020, with the third vessel Stena Embla expected to be introduced on the same route in early 2021.
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