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PRIDE OF SUFFOLK (1978)
Service dates: 1987-2005
Official number: 379708
Shipping lines: EUROPEAN FERRIES GROUP; P&O NORTH SEA FERRIES; P&O IRISH SEA; MONARCH STEAMSHIP COMPANY LTD.; ATLANTIC STEAM NAVIGATION COMAPNY LTD.; P&O EUROPEAN FERRIES (FELIXSTOWE); NORTH SEA FERRIES LTD.
Ship type:
Roll on/Roll off Passenger Ferry.
Career
- 03.09.1977
- Keel laid.
- 05.07.1978
- Launched as Stena Trader for Stena Container Line Ltd, London. 6,455 grt, 6,115 dwt, 140 passengers.
- 15.09.1978
- Delivered to Stena Cargo Line Ltd, London, and renamed Stena Transporter.
- 1979
- Chartered to Finnlines and renamed Finnrose.
- 10.1980/12.1980
- Refitted by Hapag Lloyd Werft GmbH, Bremerhaven, West Germany. Accommodation for 166 passengers.
- 1982
- Management transferred to Triport Ferries (Management) Ltd.
- 02.05.1982
- Requisitioned by the British Government for service in the Falklands Task Force and converted at Portsmouth for the carriage of troops and supporting equipment.
- 09.05.1982
- Sailed for the South Atlantic.
- 12.1984
- Sold to Monarch Steamship Company Ltd.
- 1986
- Refitted.
- 19.01.1987
- Acquired by The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.
- 22.10.1987
- Managers restyled to P&O European Ferries (Felixstowe) Ltd.
- 31.12.1987
- Ownership transferred to P&O European Ferries (Felixstowe) Ltd.
- 18.03.1991
- Sold by P&O European Ferries (Felixstowe) Ltd.
- 12.02.1992
- Renamed Pride of Suffolk.
- 01.12.1992
- Passenger capacity increased.
- 11.1995
- Refitting for freight service.
- 31.12.1996
- Lease and management transferred to North Sea Ferries Ltd.
- 01.01.1997
- Renamed P&O North Sea Ferries Ltd.
- 13.08.2001
- Renamed European Diplomat.
- 2002
- Placed on the Rosslare/Cherbourg service.
- 12.2004
- Laid up at Birkenhead.
- 01.2005
- Sold to Celtic Link Ferries and renamed Diplomat.