Stena orders another large RoPax ferry

Stena RoRo announced yesterday that it had signed a new charter agreement with Marine Atlantic, a Canadian federal Crown corporation. As a result, Stena has ordered its 10th E-Flexer vessel from the CMI Jinling (Weihai) shipyard. 

The ship, when delivered, will operate in eastern Canada between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Delivery from the shipyard is expected during 2024.  

"Marine Atlantic is a former customer of ours," said Per Westling, managing director for Stena RoRo. "We delivered one ferry in 2000 and two more in 2010 to Marine Atlantic, all of which are still in service. We were successful in executing this new charter contract after a very competitive and extensive procurement process. We are extremely pleased to be able to continue to deliver high quality ships to this important customer.

"Our focus is on adapting ship design to our customers' specific wishes and in this case, our E-Flexer platform is very well suited," Westling continued. "It meets the customer's requirements for an optimal hull form combined with efficient dual-fuel engines and a battery-hybrid solution to minimize emissions."

To date, Stena RoRo has ordered 10 large RoPax vessels of the E-Flexer type, five of which have now been delivered. The company has an option for additional vessels from the CMI Jinling.

"Marine Atlantic is an essential service that is vital to the national supply chain," said Gary O'Brien, chairman of the board for Marine Atlantic. "The new vessel to be delivered to Marine Atlantic will play an important role in helping us to continue to meet the needs of our customers. The design of the vessel combines key priorities such as maneuverability, safety, accessibility, while minimizing environmental impacts, to provide our customers with a modern, efficient and reliable service."

"We look forward to working with our partner in this project, Stena RoRo AB," said Murray Hupman, president and CEO, Marine Atlantic. "Stena RoRo is a leading innovator in the roll on/roll off cargo and passenger ferry market globally."

The Stena E-Flexer vessels combine cargo and passenger capabilities and are substantially larger than today's standard ferries, the company said.The Stena E-Flexer class is at the forefront in terms of environmental sustainability and sets a new standard in terms of emissions, cost and energy efficiency, as well as performance.

Specifications for the 10th E-Flexer:
Length: 202.9 m
Draft: 6.45 m
Beam: 27.8 m
Capacity: 1,100 persons onboard, 2 571 lane meters including 476 lane meters for private cars

Stena E-Flexer Orders with CMI Jinling (Weihai):

1.  Stena Line (in service between Holyhead and Dublin in early 2020)

2.  Stena Line (in service between Belfast and Liverpool in 2020)

3.  Brittany Ferries (long-term charter agreement for service between the United Kingdom and Spain)

4.  Stena Line (in service between Belfast and Liverpool in 2021)

5.  DFDS (long-term charter agreement for service between Dover and Calais, delivery 2021)

6.  Brittany Ferries with LNG operation (long-term charter agreement, delivery November 2021)

7.  Stena Line (extended version, delivery 2022)

8.  Stena Line (extended version, delivery 2022)

9.  Brittany Ferries with LNG operation (long-term charter agreement, delivery 2023)

10.  Marine Atlantic with LNG operation (long-term charter agreement, delivery 2024)

Stena RoRo provides custom-built vessels, as well as standardized RoRo and RoPax vessels. The company leases about 15 vessels to operators worldwide, both to Stena companies and third parties. Stena RoRo specializes in applying its technical expertise to the design and production of new ships and the conversion of existing ships to provide tailored solutions to its customers. Since 2013, Stena has been responsible for the design and completion of Mercy Ships' new hospital vessel the Global Mercy – the world's largest civilian hospital ship.

Marine Atlantic, a federal Crown corporation, is committed to providing a safe, environmentally responsible ferry service between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Marine Atlantic serves two routes. The first is a year-round, 96-nautical-mile daily ferry service between Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador and North Sydney, Nova Scotia. The second, offered from mid-June until late September, is a 280-nm ferry service between Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador and North Sydney, Nova Scotia.