# MV Connemara

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Roll-on/roll-off passenger and freight ferry

Connemara in February 2023 History Name Borja (2007–2010) Baltic Amber (2010–2011) Norman Asturias (2011–2016) Asterion (2016–2018) Connemara (2018–present) Namesake Connemara Owner Visemar Trasporti Srl (2006–2007) Stena RORO (2007–2022) Ferry Lines Singapore (from 2022)[1] Operator Balearia (2007–2010) AVE Lines (2010) DFDS Seaways (2010–2011) LD Lines (2011–2014) Inter Shipping (2014–2015) ANEK Lines (2016–2018) Brittany Ferries (2018–2022) StraitNZ Bluebridge (from 2023)[1] Port of registry Bari, Italy (2007–2014) Frederikshavn, Denmark (2014–2016) Piraeus, Greece (2016–2018) Limassol, Cyprus (2018) Morlaix, France (2018–2020) Limassol, Cyprus (2020–2022) Nassau, Bahamas (2022–present)[1] Builder Cantiere Navale Visentini Yard number 216 Launched 18 December 2006 Maiden voyage 20 May 2007 Identification IMO number: 9349760 Status in service

***Connemara*** is a [RORO](/source/RORO) passenger and freight ferry currently sailing across the [Cook Strait](/source/Cook_Strait) in New Zealand on [StraitNZ](/source/StraitNZ)'s Bluebridge service, after being purchased from Stena RoRo. From 2007 to 2010, she was operated by [Balearia](/source/Bale%C3%A0ria) as *Borja*, then between 2010 and 2011 as *Baltic Amber* for AVE Lines and then [DFDS Seaways](/source/DFDS_Seaways), before subsequently spending four years on charter to [LD Lines](/source/LD_Lines). She spent the majority of autumn 2014 and 2015 on charter to Inter Shipping sailing from [Algeciras](/source/Algeciras), Spain, when she was then chartered by [ANEK Lines](/source/ANEK_Lines), being replaced by [Nova Star Cruises](/source/Nova_Star_Cruises)'s [*Nova Star*](/source/Nova_Star_(cruiseferry)). The ship was renamed *Asterion* which comes from [Greek Mythology](/source/Greek_mythology) of [Asterion](/source/Asterion_(king_of_Crete)), the King of Crete.

*Connemara* is named after [a region](/source/Connemara) in the province of [Connacht](/source/Connacht) in western Ireland, facing the Atlantic Ocean.

## History

### *Borja*

*Borja* operated by Balearia

*Connemara* was launched on 18 December 2006 as *Borja* and was completed on 11 May 2007.[2] She was chartered to [Stena Line](/source/Stena_Line) during construction and was thought to be called *Stena Ausonia* but this did not happen and instead Stena chartered her to [Balearia](/source/Balearia) for services in Spain, she started operating between [Barcelona](/source/Barcelona) and [Palma](/source/Palma%2C_Majorca) on 20 May 2007. In June that same year she was sold to Stena RORO, London.

### *Baltic Amber*

*Baltic Amber* in 2010 operated by AVE Lines

In 2010 she ended her charter to Balearia and was sent to [Rotterdam](/source/Rotterdam) where that same year she was chartered to AVE Lines and renamed *Baltic Amber*, operating between [Travemünde](/source/Travem%C3%BCnde) and [Ventspils](/source/Ventspils), and later that month from Travemünde to [Riga](/source/Riga). In October 2010 she was chartered to DFDS Seaways for service between [Klaipėda](/source/Klaip%C4%97da) and [Kiel](/source/Kiel).

### *Norman Asturias*

In 2011 she was chartered to LD Lines for service between [Marseille](/source/Marseille) and [Tunis](/source/Tunis), but soon after moved to a new [Saint-Nazaire](/source/Saint-Nazaire)–[Gijón](/source/Gij%C3%B3n) "Motorway of the Sea" route, replacing *Norman Trader*. She was renamed *Norman Asturias* in June 2011 and she remained on same route until November 2013 when she was transferred to LD Lines' new [Poole](/source/Poole)–[Santander](/source/Santander%2C_Spain) service. From 3 February 2014 the ferry also commenced a weekly service from Poole to Gijón,[3] although the first scheduled sailing from Gijón was cancelled because of severe weather. She has a capacity for 518 passengers, 120 freight vehicles and 195 cars.

*Norman Asturias* in 2013 operated by LD Lines

When LD Lines carried out a business review in late August 2014 which included the closure of their two Spanish routes from Poole, *Norman Asturias* finished her final sailing in early September and was then laid up of Saint Nazaire. Stena RoRo then chartered her to Inter Shipping who run services between [Tangier Med](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tangier_Med&action=edit&redlink=1), Morocco and [Algeciras](/source/Algeciras), Spain where she then replaced the *[Stena Feronia](/source/Strait_Feronia)* which was on charter to Inter at the same time, *Stena Feronia* then later left for anchoring off Gibraltar and she was then place on the Birkenhead-Belfast route to cover the *Stena Lagan* refit. She left France at the same time as the *[Norman Atlantic](/source/Norman_Atlantic)* which was then chartered to Caronte and Tourist, later Anek-Superfast. *Norman Asturias* started service between Spain and Morocco for Inter in October 2014 after her LD Lines livery was removed and she was then later transferred from the Italian to the Danish Flag in December 2014.

*Connemara* with Brittany Ferries

On 16 January 2018, [Brittany Ferries](/source/Brittany_Ferries) announced it would charter *Norman Asturias* for a new twice-weekly route starting on 6 May 2018 between [Cork](/source/Port_of_Cork), Ireland and Santander, along with an additional route between Cork and [Roscoff](/source/Roscoff), France with the name *Connemara*. The line described the ship as "no-frills" with basic onboard service.

### *Connemara*

*Connemara* was sold to [StraitNZ](/source/StraitNZ) in December 2022 to replace the [*Straitsman*](/source/MV_Islander).[4] On 29 January 2023 *Connemara* arrived in [Wellington](/source/Wellington), New Zealand to begin her "Bluebridge" inter-island service across the [Cook Strait](/source/Cook_Strait) to [Picton](/source/Picton%2C_New_Zealand) for [StraitNZ](/source/StraitNZ). She will replace *[Strait Feronia](/source/Strait_Feronia)*, which will shift to *Straitsman*'s schedule. Her pet-friendly cabins are a first for StraitNZ. On 31 August 2024, she was taken off the Cook Strait run for her night cabins to be converted into a premium lounge. In September 2024, it was announced the new lounge would be named the Pohutukawa Lounge, and bookings accepted for sailings after December 1st 2024 [*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

On 19 September 2024, *Connemara* lost power at 10:30pm about 3.7km off [Sinclair Head](/source/Sinclair_Head) while crossing the [Cook Strait](/source/Cook_Strait) after leaving [Wellington](/source/Wellington). The ferry was carrying 88 people at the time of the power outage. The tug boat *Tapuhi* towed it back to Wellington while a second tug *Tiaki* provided steerage in the early hours of 20 September. Regulatory body [Maritime New Zealand](/source/Maritime_New_Zealand) launched an investigation into the power outage.[5]

On 8 October 2024, the *Connemara* hit a wharf in [Picton](/source/Picton%2C_New_Zealand) while berthing under strong winds.[6] She lost power again in [Wellington Harbour](/source/Wellington_Harbour) on 11 October 2024. At the time, the *Connemara* was carrying between 435 and 450 people and was traveling from Picton to Wellington. The ferry dropped anchor near the [Miramar Peninsula](/source/Miramar_Peninsula). While the ferry had called a tug boat, the ship crew had managed to resolve the engine issue before the boat was dispatched.[7][8]

On 8 January 2026, the *Connemara* was forced to return to Wellington after a fault was discovered with its ramp. 200 passengers were stranded and had to spend the night in Wellington while specialist crane operators worked to lower the ramp.[9]

In mid-March 2026, a technical fault aboard the *Connemara* led to the cancellation of ferry services on 12 and 13 March, disrupting travel across the Cook Strait.[10]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Equasis_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Equasis_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Equasis_1-2) ["*Connemara* (9349760)"](http://www.equasis.org/EquasisWeb/restricted/ShipInfo?fs=Search&P_IMO=9349760). *Equasis*. [Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy](/source/Ministry_of_Ecology%2C_Sustainable_Development_and_Energy). Retrieved 16 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["*Borja* (9349760)"](https://www.miramarshipindex.nz/ship/9349760). [Miramar Ship Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Miramar). Retrieved 17 November 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Timetables"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140209044013/http://ldlines.co.uk/timetables/poole-gijon). Suresnes, France: LD Lines. Archived from [the original](http://ldlines.co.uk/timetables/poole-gijon) on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Stena RoRo's CONNEMARA reportedly off to a new life with New Zealand's StraitNZ's Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries"](https://www.shippax.com/en/news/stena-roros-connemara-reportedly-off-to-a-new-life-with-new-zealands-straitnzs-bluebridge-cook-strait-ferries.aspx). *Shippax*. Halmstad. 11 November 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221201234813/https://www.shippax.com/en/news/stena-roros-connemara-reportedly-off-to-a-new-life-with-new-zealands-straitnzs-bluebridge-cook-strait-ferries.aspx) from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Maritime investigation under way after Bluebridge ferry Connemara loses power in the Cook Strait overnight"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240920022344/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maritime-investigation-underway-after-bluebridge-ferry-connemara-loses-power-in-the-cook-strait-overnight/3FWO4RNTLJFQBDE236VTC4T4KI/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. 20 September 2024. Archived from [the original](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/maritime-investigation-underway-after-bluebridge-ferry-connemara-loses-power-in-the-cook-strait-overnight/3FWO4RNTLJFQBDE236VTC4T4KI/) on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Bluebridge ferry damages wharf in Picton while berthing"](https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/08/bluebridge-ferry-damages-wharf-in-picton-while-berthing/). *[1News](/source/1News)*. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Bluebridge ferry Connemara berths after losing power"](https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/11/bluebridge-ferry-connemara-berths-after-losing-power/). *[1News](/source/1News)*. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Howie, Cherie (11 October 2024). ["Bluebridge ferry Connemara hit by engine issue, drops anchor in Wellington Harbour - deputy harbourmaster"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bluebridge-ferry-connemara-hit-by-engine-issue-drops-anchor-in-wellington-harbour-deputy-harbourmaster/PVM5XAMLGBF3VIE27ONDGEXYBM/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. Retrieved 16 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["200 passengers stranded on Bluebridge ferry overnight"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/583588/200-passengers-stranded-on-bluebridge-ferry-overnight). *[RNZ](/source/RNZ)*. 9 January 2026. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260109035759/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/583588/200-passengers-stranded-on-bluebridge-ferry-overnight) from the original on 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Smith, Penny (14 March 2026). ["Green Party warns of 'perfect storm' as ferry breakdowns disrupt travel and freight"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/589551/green-party-warns-of-perfect-storm-as-ferry-breakdowns-disrupt-travel-and-freight). *[Radio New Zealand](/source/Radio_New_Zealand)*. Retrieved 14 March 2026.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [IMO 9349760](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:IMO_9349760).

- [Brittany Ferries *Connemara*](https://web.archive.org/web/20221226073637/https://assets.ctfassets.net/zmjc9gr9hbbf/1SvT63Xjd1iU1mGLlDhLi3/53ed80cf5d19058561f580dbbc26225d/Connemara_Ship_Guide_ENG-FR_27-08-19v2.pdf)

v t e New Zealand inter-island and Cook Strait ferries Current Cook Strait Wellington-Picton ferries Kaiārahi Kaitaki MV Connemara MV Livia Former Cook Strait (Wellington–Picton) ferries Aratere Arahanga Arahura GMV Aramoana GMV Aranui MV Aratika Condor Vitesse Incat 046 MS Santa Regina Strait Feronia MV Straitsman (2005) MV Straitsman (1972) MV Suilven Former inter-island (Wellington–Lyttelton) ferries SS Penguin TEV Rangatira (1931) Rangatira (1971) TSS Wahine (1913) TEV Wahine (1966) Companies Bluebridge KiwiRail Union Company Services Interislander

v t e Ferries of the Irish Sea Current ships Brittany Ferries MV Armorique MV Commodore Clipper MV Cotentin MV Galicia MS Norbay MV Pont-Aven MV Santona Irish Ferries HSC Dublin Swift MS Isle of Innisfree MS Isle of Inisheer MS James Joyce MS Ulysses MV W.B. Yeats Isle of Man Steam Packet Company MS Ben-my-Chree HSC Manannan MV Manxman P&O Ferries European Causeway European Highlander CLdN MS Seatruck Point MS Seatruck Panorama MS Seatruck Power MS Seatruck Progress MS Seatruck Performance MS Seatruck Precision Stena Line MS Stena Adventurer MS Stena Edda MS Stena Embla MS Stena Estrid MS Stena Nordica MS Stena Hibernia Stena Horizon MS Stena Scotia MS Stena Superfast VII MS Stena Superfast VIII Hibernia Line MS Akka MS St Patrick Ferry ports Belfast Harbour Cairnryan Harbour Port of Cork Douglas Harbour Dublin Port Fishguard Harbour Heysham Port Port of Holyhead Larne Harbour Port of Liverpool Pembroke Dock Rosslare Europort

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [MV Connemara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Connemara) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Connemara?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.