Stena RoRo earlier told Shippax that several parties had shown interest to either charter or buy the 195m long and 26.4m beam ferry and following a long period of cold layup in Malaysia, STENA NOVA arrived in Manila waters earlier today, 9 March.

Handover to the new owners is imminent and although there were conversion plans made by Stena, a major conversion now appears unlikely. As built, the 13,353grt (Japanese tonnage measurement) had a capacity of 2,350 freight lanemetres on two freight decks, 48 cars on a separate car deck and 667 passengers. Twin Wärtsilä 16V-38B engines with an output of 10,076kW each give the 6,445dwt ro-pax a 23.5-knot service speed.

2GO, the largest ferry operator in the Philippines, mainly operates long-haul services, primarily guaranteed by former Japanese ferries.

In other news, Stena RoRo has denied that the ro-pax cruise ferry SAGA – the former STENA SAGA – has been purchased by or chartered out to Bridgemans Services Group.  

© Shippax / Philippe Holthof