New Holyhead Dublin Fast Ferry Boosts Jobs
by Sam Davies
(North Wales)
With a new ferry between Holyhead and Dublin, Stena Line aims to create up to 65 jobs at the Anglesey port.
Stena Line brought in the new ferry, Stena Nordica, in November to replace the freight only ship Seatrader. The Stena Nordica is a ropax vessel which means it carries both passengers and freight.
It is because of the extra crew required for a passenger carrying vessel that the extra 65 jobs will be created, though up to 15 will be internal transfers according to Stena Line.
Despite the difficult economic conditions, the company is making an investment of £3 million in upgrading two of its vessels.
At the moment the Stena Nordica is undergoing a refurbishment, which includes putting in passenger and truck driver lounges as well as a Wi-Fi system.
And when the time comes, the Stena Adventurer will receive a £2m refit, and this move is part of the company's plans to increase its capacity on this important Irish Sea route.
The view taken by Stena Line is that this increase in fleet capacity gives it greater flexibility to meet future challenges on the Holyhead to Dublin ferry route in uncertain economic times.
