Responsible consumption and production
Sustainability
Stena Futuro is a 240-metre-long RoRo concept vessel, designed for transporting semi-trailers and cars.
“The mission is to develop the most efficient and competitive vessel possible for a specific cargo capacity, using today’s available technology. The goal is for the vessel to have the lowest fuel consumption on the market,” says Nicolas Bathfield, Project Manager at Stena Teknik, who has been involved in developing the concept.
The hull and superstructure have been optimised to achieve the most efficient use of cargo space possible. At the same time, low weight and optimised hydro- and aerodynamics are central to achieving low fuel consumption. Stena Futuro’s low and streamlined design reflects these ambitions.
But it’s not just the shape that makes Stena Futuro special. The concept includes a range of technologies aimed at lowering the vessel’s environmental footprint:
- Hybrid propulsion with batteries and energy-efficient engines that can run on several different fuels
- Battery power for operating partly on electricity – for example, when entering and leaving port
- Solar panels to support the vessel’s energy needs
- An air lubrication system, where small air bubbles under the hull reduce drag
- A waste heat recovery system, which captures heat from the engines to power heating and electricity onboard.
Wing sails pass tests
The concept for Stena Futuro also includes four 40 metre-tall wing sails, which can be retracted when needed – for example, when passing under a bridge. Stena’s developers, together with the Swedish research institute RISE, have conducted tests and simulations of the sails’ usage to measure energy savings and track the sails’ impact on the ship’s manoeuvrability and safety.
“The tests showed that Stena Futuro’s sails could potentially result in as much as 15 percent fuel savings. We also confirmed that the vessel meets all requirements for stability and manoeuvrability in scenarios such as sudden wind shifts or quick course changes,” says Nicolas.
The ship design will play a vital part for Stena Lines future tonnage planning the coming years. Currently, there is no finalised plan for the production of Stena Futuro.
“We aim to help lead our industry in achieving the global climate goals. We work toward this every day in our ongoing operations, but we also need to be at the forefront in developing tomorrow’s vessels. The Stena Futuro concept is an important step in that direction,” says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.