MS Stena Mersey

Stena Mersey, seen from New Brighton, entering the River Mersey in 2015.
History
Name:	2005–2010: Mersey Viking 2010–2011: Mersey Seaways 2011–: Stena Mersey
Owner:	2005–2012: Levantina Trasporti Srl 2012–: Stena Ropax Ltd
Operator:	2005–2006: Norse Merchant Ferries 2006–2010: Norfolkline 2010–2010: DFDS Seaways Dec 2010–: Stena Line
Port of registry:	2005–2008: Bari,  Italy 2008–present: Belfast,  United Kingdom
Route:	Birkenhead-Belfast
Builder:	Cantiere Navale Visentini
Yard number:	213
Completed:	December 2005
Maiden voyage:	December 2005
Identification:	IMO number: 9329851
Status:	in service
General characteristics
Tonnage:	26,500 GRT
Length:	186.46 m (611.7 ft)
Beam:	25.6 m (84 ft)
Draft:	6.63 m (21.8 ft)
Installed power:	2 x MAN B&W 9L 48/60B
Propulsion:	2 × Controllable pitch propellers 2 × bow thrusters
Speed:	24 knots (44 km/h)
Capacity:	980 passengers

MS Stena Mersey is a RoPax ferry operated by Stena Line between Birkenhead and Belfast.

She was built in Italy by Cantiere Navale Visentini. She is 26,500GRT and can carry up to 980 passengers in her two lounges, and can sleep up to 480 in cabins. She has four vehicle decks and room for around 200 lorries. Her maximum speed is 27 knots, but usually sails at 23 knots maximum.

Stena Mersey was launched in December 2005 as Mersey Viking, entering service with Norse Merchant Ferries later the same month. A few months later, Norse Merchant Ferries was acquired by Norfolkline. Mersey Viking received Norfolkline lettering on her red hull but retained her Norse Merchant Ferries funnel for several years.

In July 2010 Norfolkline was acquired by DFDS. The vessel was renamed Mersey Seaways during her refit in August 2010. Later that same year, DFDS sold its Northern Irish operations to Stena Line. In August 2011, the vessel was renamed Stena Mersey

Early in 2012, Stena Mersey, along with her sister ship Stena Lagan, was given a complete interior and exterior refit and repaint at Harland and Wolff.

Stena Mersey operates on the Birkenhead–Belfast route with her marginally older sister ship Stena Lagan. The total journey time on board the ship is 8 hours.

The ship has several facilities on board such as restaurants, bars, shops and a cinema. There are four-bunk cabins for sleep on the overnight sailing and rest during the day. The truckers' restaurant is at the bow of the ship with views across the sea.