7^th January 2010.

Stena Line announces changes to its Dun Laoghaire Route in 2010

Stena Line has announced that it plans to replace the Stena Explorer with another fast craft during the off peak periods in 2010.

Currently the HSS Stena Explorer operates a once daily round trip service between March and December on the Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead route but in 2010 it is planned to operate the vessel for the peak summer holiday period only from the 28th June to the 5^th September. Outside this period the vessel will be replaced by the Stena Express which currently operates a summer fast craft service between Rosslare and Fishguard.

Commenting, Vic Goodwin, Route Director, said:

“The HSS Stena Explorer has very high operating costs and together with the high port dues in Dun Laoghaire Harbour this has placed severe pressure on the financial performance of this Route .

We are in discussions with Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and are confident that we can reach a new operating agreement from 2011 which will result in a significant reduction in harbour dues.

Operating our fast craft vessels in this flexible manner will also be more cost effective and enable us to work towards getting the Route back into an acceptable trading position.”

Whilst the Stena Explorer will continue to operate a one round daily trip schedule during the peak season, the timetable for the Stena Express will vary between a one round trip or a two round trip daily schedule to meet commercial demands. At key times frequency will be increased.

The Stena Express will transfer from the Dun Laoghaire/Holyhead route to continue to provide a summer fast craft service between Rosslare and Fishguard from 12^th July to 5^th September.

As part of Stena Line’s ongoing commitment to providing a quality service to its guests, the Stena Express is shortly to undergo a £2m refit in preparation for its arrival on the Central Corridor. Stena Line will continue to operate its two Superferries, the Stena Adventurer and Stena Nordica from Dublin Port to Holyhead. Each performs two round trips per day. In March 2009, the Stena Adventurer underwent a £2m refit to its Onboard retail and catering facilities and recently the Stena Nordica completed a £1m upgrade to its onboard facilities. The Company are also planning a major investment to upgrade the facilities on the Stena Europe, the Superferry that operates between Rosslare and Fishguard.

Vic Goodwin added:

“We are undertaking big investments to improve the facilities and comfort for all our guests using our ROI routes. We are confident that by utilising our Superferries, the Stena Express and Stena Explorer in this flexible way, we will provide our guests with an excellent combination of vessels on our routes between Ireland and Wales offering both RoPax and fast craft services. What is more we will not hesitate in expanding our fast craft services in Dun Laoghaire or Rosslare if market forces justify such actions.”

For further information please contact Eamonn Hewitt on Mobile 0035387 2411293