The Stena Futura, the first of Stena Line's new hybrid ferries built by the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Weihai, for the Irish Sea, has successfully completed its sea trials on the Yellow Sea off Weihai in June 2025. The vessel is scheduled to enter service on the Belfast-Heysham route in late summer. The sea trials tested the vessel at sea to demonstrate proper operation and ensure that all systems are fully functional and meet agreed specifications. The tests were covering areas such as engine performance and endurance, fuel consumption, navigation and radio equipment, emergency systems, speed tests, maneuverability, engine and thruster tests, and safety tests. Once in service, the 'Stena Futura' and its sister ship, the 'Stena Connecta', will increase cargo capacity on the Belfast-Heysham route by 40 percent. The two hybrid ferries are equipped to run on methanol fuel and play a key role in Stena Line's sustainability efforts. The ships are also equipped with technologies that enable the use of battery propulsion and shore power when available. Report with photo: https://news.cision.com/de/stena-line-deutschland/r/stena-futura-schliesst-seeerprobung-in-china-erfolgreich-ab,c4162674
News
DIEVA
The 'Dieva' was detained in Yalova with 10 deficiencies , four of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention, on June 19, 2025: 1) Safety of navigation - Nautical publications Expired 2) Emergency systems - Emergency source of power - emergency generator Not as required 3) Emergency systems - Emergency lighting, battieries and switches Insufficient 4) Pollution Prevention - Conditions for exemption Invalid The vessel was released again on June 24. The last detention was on May 28, 2025, in Gemlik with 33 deficiencies for eight days. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
CLANSMAN
Due to a medical emergency aboard the 'Clansman', serving on the route Oban-Coll-Tiree on June 24 , the scheduled 3:00 p.m. sailing from Oban was be delayed arriving into Coll. A further update was to be provided when possible.
SORMOVSKIY 3052
The "Sormovskiy-3052" was detained in Mersin with 10 deficiencies , two of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention, on June 18, 2025: 1) Structural conditions - Hull - Corrosion Corroded 2) Water/Weathertight - Doors Not properly maintained The vessel was released again on June 23 and permitted a single voyage to Nizhengorodskaya Oblast for permanent repairs. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
IRIS
The sanctioned 'Iris' (ex 'North Sky') passed through the Kara Gate entering Russia’s Northern Sea Route on June 24, likely heading for the Arctic LNG 2 plant. The move came after the vessel spent months in ballast idling in the Barents Sea. The vessel is currently displaying Sabetta as destination on AIS; possibly a ruse. A visit by a blocked LNG carrier to the unsanctioned Yamal LNG project would be a highly unusual and potentially risky move by project owner Novatek. For much of the past nine months a dozen sanctioned LNG carriers have remained largely idle and scattered across the Barents Sea on the European side and the Sea of Japan in the Far East, waiting for Arctic sea ice to recede.