In 2006 Spain issued a miniature sheet to commemorate the EXFILNA stamp exhibition which was held in Algeciras from the 5 – 13 May 2006. The stamp shows the city council building in Algeciras. In the border is an aerial view of the town and port of Algeciras.
Seen entering the port is the ferry EUROFERRYS ATLANTICA (built as the STENA JUTLANDICA) which runs to Tangier in Morocco. The other ships in the port have not yet been identified but I think the two container ships belong to the Danish Maersk Line
Stena Jutlandica was built in 1973 by Brodogradiliste Jozo Lozovina Mosor, Trogir, Yugoslavia, one of four similar ships delivered to Stena Line between 1972-74. Stena Jutlandica and Stena Danica carried 1800 passengers with 105 berths on the shorter Göteborg-Frederikshavn route, whilst Stena Olympica and Stena Scandinavica carried 1500 passengers with 870 berths on the longer Göteborg-Kiel route. The former pair were later enlarged with the addition of a second full - height trailer deck, whereas the latter pair were stretched with new centre sections.
Stena Jutlandica entered service with Stena Line in 1973 between Göteborg and Frederikshavn. In 1976-77, a second full height car deck was added, after which she returned to the Göteborg-Frederikshavn route. In 1983, Stena Jutlandica was chartered to CN Marine, Montreal, Canada, as the Jutlandica, for a service between North Sydney and Port Aux Basques. She was sold to CN Marine the following year, and was renamed Bluenose for the Yarmouth to Bar Harbour route.
In 1987, ownership passed to Marine Atlantic. Bluenose's last day in traffic with Marine Atlantic was on 15/01/1997, after which she was laid up. In April 1997, Bluenose was taken over by Bay Ferries and returned to service on her previous Yarmouth to Bar Harbour route. Bluenose ceased operation with Bay Ferries in December of the same year, and she was laid up again under the name Hull 309. In 1999 she was sold to Europa Ferrys and entered service between Algeciras and Tangier as the EUROFERRYS ATLANTICA.
EUROFERRYS ATLANTICA details:-
Dimensions: 125m x 22m x 5m
Grt/Dwt: 6333/2134 tons
Machinery: Lindholmen/Pielstick 18PC2V diesels
Power: 18,000 kW
Speed: 22.0 knots
Passengers: 1800
Cars: 425
1998 – Euroferrys commenced operations.
2006 - Acquired by Acciona Trasmediterránea.
2008 - Merged with parent company Acciona Trasmediterránea.
2010 - HSC Euroferrys Atlantica repainted in Acciona Trasmediterránea livery.
Acciona Trasmediterranea ferries and Balearia Ferries have now moved their operations from Tangier port to Tangier - Med ferry port which is just 40 Kms from the current port in Tangier. This not only shortens crossing timings but also offers new and improved facilities to the passengers.
The Tangier Med port, located just 40 km away from Tangier city, is the largest port on the Mediterranean and in Africa by capacity. The Tangier Med project was initiated as part of the economic development of the Moroccan region. The Tangier Med port complex when finished will offer unrivalled passenger facilities and services.
The Tangier Med port is located at a point where the distance between Europe and Africa is at its shortest, just 14Km. The Tangier Med port also has excellent road connections to Tangier city and further down.
This enormous port complex is ideal for all the ferry routes to and from Tangier and hence many ferry companies who are currently operating from the old Tangier port will be moving to the Tangier Med port housing 9 quays, modern port handling facilities and infrastructure along with huge car parks. Located at the meeting point of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, this Port is set to become the most popular port of the Mediterranean.
Sources and links:- http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/StenaJutlandica1973.html
(Majestic postcard KS-8333 of Bluenose shows the ferry in a very similar position to that on the mini sheet).
Spain 2006 2.39 Euro MSsg4173, scott?
Peter Crichton
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