Stena Line has announced the launch of the two largest Superferries in the world which will sail the North Sea between Harwich and Hook of Holland this year.

Stena Line’s largest ever investment of over £375 million has been spent on building the two new vessels, with the Stena Hollandica launching on 16 May 2010 and the Stena Britannica following in autumn 2010.

The largest ferries of their type in the world in terms of combined passenger and freight capacity: each will be capable of transporting 230 cars, 300 freight vehicles and have 1,376 beds on board. The 538 cabins, finished in a light and fresh style, will be equipped with Dux beds, wider than on standard ferries, measuring a minimum width of 900mm and up to 1600mm in ‘captain’s suite’ rooms. All cabins will have a modern en suite bathroom with Hans Grohe fittings, and larger windows have been installed in both bathroom and main cabin areas to provide a feeling of space and light.

Customers will be able to enjoy onboard services including buffet and a la carte restaurants, cinema, bar, lounge, media room and internet corner. Customers can also stay connected throughout the journey with free wi-fi for all, mobile reception throughout the crossing and satellite television in lounges and cabins. There will be children and teenager zones, 12 kennels for dogs and a sundeck to allow passengers to relax outdoors during their journey.

Designed to have a low environmental impact, each Superferry is built in line with Stena Line’s Energy Savings Programme. Eco-friendly features on the new Superferries include catalytic converters, an improved hull design, highly efficient engines and better combustion rates, all helping to reduce environmental impact. The ferries have facilities to recycle glass, cardboard and food waste onboard, while solar film on all windows will exclude up to 82% of the sun’s radiant heat, reducing the energy used by the onboard cooling system.

Departing twice daily, the crossing takes approx 6.5 hours with a choice of day or night sailings in each direction. Departures from Harwich leave at 09:00 and around 23:45 each day, and at 14.30 and around 22:00 from the Hook of Holland.

Lead in fares start at just £49 one-way for a car and driver, plus £12 per additional adult or £6 per additional child (up to 15 yrs, under twos travel free). With a similar pricing structure to low fares airlines, as the cheaper fares sell out, the prices on popular crossings will rise, so those booking early make the largest savings. Cabins for overnight crossings start from £18 per person one-way, based on two sharing.