Stena Line press release:

Stena Line Announce Tonnage Changes On Its Central Corridor Route

LEADING ferry company Stena Line today announced positive changes to
its Central Corridor Services between Holyhead and Dublin Bay.

The Company is pleased to announce that the existing dedicated
freight vessel, the Stena Seatrader, will be replaced with a more
modern and faster Ropax vessel, the Stena Nordica, which can carry
both freight and tourist guests.

Vic Goodwin, Stena Line's Route Director for the Central and Southern
Corridor said: "We are delighted that the Stena Nordica will be
joining the Central Corridor. The vessel is much faster than the
Stena Seatrader which means crossing times will be quicker and in
addition to providing additional capacity for freight, the Stena
Nordica will also provide an attractive alternative to our tourist
guests. The vessel will have a range of facilities for our onboard
guests including Stena Line's executive lounge, Stena Plus. The
vessel currently has a passenger capacity of 400 but we are looking
at plans to increase the passenger capacity of the vessel".

"Whilst the Stena Seatrader only performed one round trip per day,
the Stena Nordica could provide the option of double tripping if
required and will therefore provide greater flexibility for refit
cover on both the Central and Southern Corridor Routes.

The Stena Nordica will transfer to the Irish Sea on the 4 November
2008 from the Company's Route between Sweden and Poland. Initially
the vessel will provide refit cover on the Fishguard – Rosslare
service and will then commence service on the Holyhead – Dublin Route
on the 12th November 2008 .

Coinciding with this change Goodwin added: "Everyone is aware of the
negative impact of high fuel prices and the economic downturn on the
transport industry. Whilst the HSS Stena Explorer is extremely
popular with all our customers on the Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire
route, unfortunately the operating costs of the craft remain very
high. Consequently we have decided to reduce the HSS operation to one
round trip per day with effect from the 10th November 2008 except for
the Christmas and New Year Holiday period when the vessel will double
trip."

Following the 2008 Christmas/New Year Holiday period the HSS will
undertake its annual refit from January 2009 until the middle of
February 2009 and the service will recommence on a revised one round
trip timetable, with the Company retaining the flexibility to
increase trips of the HSS as and when required.

Commenting, Vic Goodwin said: "Whilst the business continues to face
many challenges, we believe the unique combination of the HSS Stena
Explorer, the Stena Adventurer and the Stena Nordica is the best
solution for all our customers. We can provide all our guests with
frequency of sailing times, a choice between fast craft and
Superferries and high standards of service. The fleet changes also
provide the company with the greatest flexibility to meet any future
challenges ahead."