Mr. Pieter Crichton gives that the vessel depict on this stamp is the VENTUARI, by comparing the vessel on the stamp with a photo given on http://www.faktaomfartyg.com/ventuari_1978.htm I agree, there was one sister the AFRICAN SOUL but she never was owned by a Venezuelan company, or used in a service to Venezuela. The stamp gives a white funnel; I am not sure to which company this funnel belongs. The photo depicts in Watercraft Philately gives a black funnel with a broad white band and a logo. So far I know does Stena also use the blue painted hull for their ro-ro vessels.
Built as a ro-ro cargo/ferry under yard No 1269 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Kobe, Japan, for Langton Maritime Shipping Inc., (Century Greyhound Leasing and Finance, managers), Liberia.
18 October 1977 launched under the name VENTUARI.
Tonnage 6,301 gross, 3,012 net, 10,145 dwt., dim. 148.06 x 24.01 x 16.00m., draught 8.01m., length bpp 136.00m.
Powered by two 6-cyl. MAN L52-55 diesel engine manufactured by shipbuilder, 12,000 hp., one controllable pitch propeller, speed 16 knots. Thwartship thrust controllable pitch propeller forward.
Bunker capacity 1,865 m³.
Can carry 404 cars or 136 trailers or 486 TEU’s on her two decks.
Stern and door ramp.
30 June 1978 completed for Naviera Neptuno C.A., La Guaria, Venezuela, (managed by Maritime Transport Overseas G.m.b.H.)
08 February 1980 laid up at Bremen.
1981 Sold to Lancaster Transport Co. Ltd., Monrovia, Liberia and renamed BALDER CARRIER.
26 Feb. 1982 on a voyage from Rotterdam to Port Sudan she grounded outside Tirran Sound (where is that?)
01 March 1982 was she refloated and was repaired.
1985 Sold to Chester Transport Co. Ltd., Monrovia, Liberia, renamed in CHESTER.
1987 Sold to Seaburg Inc., Monrovia, Liberia, renamed in STENA TRAILER.
1987 Chartered by Crowley Caribbean Transport, used in the service between Florida and Venezuela probably C.A.V.H. was the agent in Venezuelan for Crowley.
1991 renamed TRAILER.
The same year registered for Stena (Bermuda) Line Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda, and renamed STENA TRAILER.
1993 Renamed in MEDFERRY EXPRESS.
May 1999 sold to Sea Malta, Valetta, Malta, renamed MALTESE FALCON. Used in the service from Valletta to Marseille and Genoa.
October 2005 was given that she was sold to Atlantica Spa di Navigazione (Grimaldi), Italy, but by unknown reason the deal fell through.
December 2005 after Sea Malta got bankrupt; she was laid up in Valletta, Malta.
June 2006 sold during a public auction, and bought by Malta Motorways of the Sea, Malta. (Grimaldi, Italy). Not renamed.
August 2006 arrived at Drapetsona, Greece.
June 2009 sold to shipbreakers in India.
12 June 2009 arrived Alang for breaking up.
http://www.equasis.org gives for 2007: owned by same owners and managed by Valiant Shipping S.A., Athens, Greece. IMO No. 7705714.
Tonnage given as 15,406 gross, 9,209 net, 10,145 dwt. Call sign 9HEU6.
Venezuela 1987 bs6 sg?, scott?
Source: http://www.faktaomfartyg.com/ventuari_1978.htm Stena 1939-1989, World Ship Society.
Watercraft Philately Vol 43 page 40. Marine News.