By
Alex Smith |
China’s CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard has started building Stena Line’s two new E-Flexer ferries, which are expected to be delivered in 2022.
The vessels are the last of the five in the E-Flexer series ordered by Stena Line from sister company Stena RoRo. The ferries will be 240 metres long with a load capacity of 3,600 lane metres, larger than the first three in the series. As a result, the ships will have 50 per cent more cabins and beds, 30 per cent increased passenger capacity and an additional 15 per cent cargo capacity. They will also be equipped to use shore power during port calls to reduce emissions.
The ferry company also confirmed that the third vessel in the series, Stena Embla, is expected to be delivered on time and will start operating on the Belfast-Liverpool route in January 2021.
“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,” said Niclas Mårtensson, Stena Line’s CEO. “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.”
Stena is also extending two existing ferries, Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey, by 36 metres and modifying them with drive-through capabilities for loading and unloading in two levels. The modifications will also increase the cargo capacity by 30 per cent and add a total of 75 cabins.
“We continue to build on our successful ro-pax concept with a mix of freight and passengers,” said Mårtensson. “By modernising and standardising our vessel fleet, we ensure a reliable operation can, in an even better way, support and grow with our customers.”