The 'Stena Vision', which a week ago ended the Rosslare-Cherbourg route, arrived at the North African port of Tanger Med on Oct 6, followed by a passage across the Strait of Gibraltar to Algeciras for berthing trials. On Oct 7, the ferry berthed at the Gibdock shipyard in Gibraltar. Since Stena Line withdrew the cruise ferry after sailing on Sep 30 on the Ireland-France route, their only link between the Republic and mainland Europe, the cruise ferry initially anchored off the Wexford ferryport. On Oct 1, Brittany Ferries increased capacity and became the route's new sole operator, while the 'Stena Vision' departed on a much longer voyage, involving the Bay of Biscay and offshore of the Iberian Peninsula states of Portugal.
News
CS ANTHEM
The Crowley Stena Marine Solutions, the joint venture between Crowley and Stena Bulk, has received US permission for a replacement of the damaged tanker 'Stena Immaculate' (IMO: 9693018) in the frame of the US’s Tanker Security Program, which is administered by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to transport fuel supplies for the U.S. Department of Defense. The MARAD has approved operating the 'CS Anthem', the former 'STI Bosphorus', under the program in order to advance the nation’s strategic sealift capabilities, strengthening U.S. maritime security and providing reliable, U.S.-crewed tanker capacity in support of national defense. The new vessel is largely a swap with the same characteristics as the 'Stena Immaculate'. The CS Anthem had been operating for India’s Scorpio. The tanker was recently transferred to the U.S. flag from the Marshall Islands and now has a homeport of Jacksonville, Florida. Crowley is responsible for crewing and managing the tanker under a bareboat charter through the joint venture. The company also manages the 'Stena Imperative' and 'Stena Impeccable' in the Tanker Security Program. The 'Stena Immaculate' remained berthed in Great Yarmouth ifor the time being.
FRANCESCO NULLO
The 'Francesco Nullo' has ended her charter to DFDS on Oct 3, 2025. The ferry has proceeded to Marseille where she will join CMA CGM to replace the m/v 'Stena Forecaster'. On Oct 4 she dropped anchor in pos. 43° 20' N 005° 17 E.
OCEAN MAJESTY
After in June it was announced that the authorities were seeking a more cost-effective alternative for the “Ocean Majesty” as accommodation for asylum seekers, which would likely have meant the end for the 60-year-old ship, the Dutch authorities now have agreed with the owners on lower rates. This means that the “Ocean Majesty” will remain at a berth in Velse until at least July 1, 2026, with an option to extend until Dec 31 also been agreed upon. On Dec 4, 2025, the “Ocean Majesty” will celebrate the 60th birthday.
ALFRED
CalMac has extended the charter of the 'Alfred' to the end of the year. The ferry will provide additional support within the Clyde and Hebrides network until Dec 31. CalMac was due to return the vessel to Pentland Ferries in May, when there were expectations the 'Caledonian Isles' would be finally repaired. But the Caley Isles failed to appear this summer and the 'Alfred'’s stay was continued to October. Delays with the handover of the 'Isle of Islay' also forced CalMac’s hand in continuing the hire especially as the ship she is effectively replacing, 'Hebridean Isles', was removed from the fleet in 2024. Potential drydock delays preventing ferries from returning to service following annual overhaul was another influencing factor. CalMac and the Scottish Government are due to officiallyed confirm the charter extension on Sep 8. Instead of heading back to her own Orkney route on the Pentland Firth at the end of CalMac’s summer timetable, the 'Alfred' will cover west coast routes during the first half of the winter drydock period. The Scottish Government wass expected to provide over £2.2 million pounds to CalMac towards the 'Alfred'’s charter extension.

