Stena Line confirmed the sale of the HSS 1500 catamaran Stena Discovery (1997/19,638gt) to Venezuela and there are reports from South America that sister craft Stena Explorer (1996), now providing just one crossing a day between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire, is to follow.
Albamar SA completed the purchase of Stena Discovery early in June and plan an August start for a service from La Giuaria, close to the capital Caracas, to El Guamacho, Nueva Esparta, in competition with Conferry. Albamar officials have been widely quoted in the Venezuelan press as saying that Stena Explorer will also head south within 60 days.