Company news
In the middle of the ongoing pandemic, the construction of our two new larger E-Flexer ferries has begun and the two ferries are planned to be delivered in 2022. The vessels, that are being built at the CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard in China, are the last of five vessels of the E-Flexer series that Stena Line ordered from the sister company Stena RoRo.
Stena Estrid and Stena Edda, the first two of the first three planned E-flexers, have already entered service on the Irish Sea earlier this year. The third vessel, Stena Embla, is in the final stages of construction and is expected to go in to service on the Belfast-Liverpool route according to plan in early 2021.
Larger ships and increased capacity
The two larger E-Flexer vessels will be 240 meters long with a load capacity of 3,600 length meters – larger when compared to the first three E-flexers, which are 214 meters long and have a load capacity of 3,100 length meters.
In total, the larger vessels also get 50% more cabins and beds, 30% increased passenger capacity and an additional 15% cargo capacity.
“Despite a tough time during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have shown how important Stena Line is to linking Europe’s freight and passenger transport and vital supply lines. We believe in continued growth and demand in all our markets and with the new ferries in place we will be well equipped for the future”, says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO.
We’re modernising our fleet
Our E-flexers are designed and built in collaboration with the sister company Stena RoRo. With our ambition to become a leader in sustainable shipping, our five new vessels of the E-Flexer series are an essential contribution towards our mission as they are among the world’s most modern and efficient RoPax vessels.
You can read more about our next-generation ferries here.
Among the distinguishing features are:
- Efficient loading and unloading with drive-through lanes in the two levels.
- Up to 30% more energy efficient than existing vessels in the fleet, thanks to optimum design of the hulls, propellers, bulbs and rudders.
- All five vessels are delivered gas-ready, to allow conversion to methanol or LNG fuel.
- The two longer vessels will be equipped to use shore power during port calls to reduce emissions. The electricity connection also enables a conversion to electric hybrid in the future.
- The Scandinavian heritage is clearly visible on the interior and the design is spacious and light, with amazing panoramic views.
We’re a RoPax company
In addition to the five new builds another two existing vessels of the fleet, Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey, will be extended by 36 metres and modified with efficient drive-through capabilities for loading and unloading in two levels.
In total these modifications will increase the cargo capacity by 30% and add on a total of 75 cabins. The two vessels are expected to be back in traffic in the network in 2021.
”We continue to build on our successful RoPax concept with a mix of freight and passengers. By modernizing and standardizing our vessel fleet, we ensure a reliable operation can in an even better way support and grow with our customers”, says Niclas Mårtensson.
So far, we have not revealed where the two new larger vessels of the E-Flexer model, or the extended vessels Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey, will operate.
Read the full press release here.