A NEWLY-extended passenger ship paid its first visit to Harwich yesterday . The Stena Britannica is now one of the world's largest RoPax vessels after it was lengthened following the decommissioning of the HSS Stena Discovery.

A NEWLY-extended passenger ship paid its first visit to Harwich yesterday .

The Stena Britannica is now one of the world's largest RoPax vessels after it was lengthened following the decommissioning of the HSS Stena Discovery.

The work was aimed at ensuring sufficient capacity remains on the popular Harwich to Hook of Holland route.

The Stena Hollandica is due to undergo a similar extension, and will rejoin the Stena Britannica on the route in May.

Harwich International Port has modified and extended an existing berth at the site to accommodate Stena's new fleet of extended ships after starting the civil engineering project in the latter part of 2006.

Chris Lewis, chief executive at port owners Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, welcomed the improvements.

“Harwich International Port has enjoyed a very long relationship with Stena Line, and with them, we are pleased to be able to offer this improved service to passengers travelling on the popular Harwich to Hook of Holland route,” he said.

The newly-extended vessels will offer substantially more capacity on the route, with 4,100 lane metres for freight traffic, including space for 180 cars.

It is expected the ships, which offer overnight cabins, a restaurant, shop and other passenger facilities, will attract more foot passengers and motorists on scheduled day and night sailings from Harwich.

The port is also investing in a new high-level passenger walkway capable of taking passengers directly from the ferry terminal departure lounge to Deck 7 of the Stena Line vessels.

The new walkway is being constructed in Spain, and is expected to be installed in May, ready for the busy summer season.

Stena Line signed a 20-year extension to its contract with Harwich International Port in May.