[Press Release] Stena Line’s new RoPax vessels beginning to take shape.

By: Steven Tarbox
Date:
Last updated:
Stena E-Flexer keel laying ceremony at AVIC Weihai. Stena Line
Stena E-Flexer keel laying ceremony at AVIC Weihai. Stena Line

On Friday 2 February 2018, the official keel-laying ceremony took place at the AVIC Weihai Shipyard in China. This traditional maritime event marks the start of the construction phase of the hull and the exterior parts of the vessel.

“This is an important milestone in our exciting new ship building project”, said Niclas Mårtensson, CEO Stena Line, who also took part in the traditional Coin Ceremony where X coins where placed under the keel-block as a symbol of good fortune.

Niclas Mårtensson, CEO Stena Line, together with Magnus Olsson, Project Manager Stena RoRo, about to place the coin under the keel. Stena Line
Niclas Mårtensson, CEO Stena Line, together with Magnus Olsson, Project Manager Stena RoRo, about to place the coin under the keel. Stena Line

The new vessels have a planned delivery timetable during 2019 and 2020. They will be 50% bigger than today’s standard RoPax vessels and this significant investment illustrates a continuation of Stena Line’s successful RoPax concept which mixes freight and passenger traffic as part of its operational business model.

Stena E-Flexer keel laying ceremony at AVIC Weihai. Stena Line
Stena E-Flexer keel laying ceremony for yard number WO263 at AVIC Weihai. Stena Line

“Our overall target is that these vessels will be the absolute state-of-the-art when it comes to energy efficiency, flexibility and customer service. In particular, we are placing heavy emphasis on developing a range of exciting new digital features which will provide our customers with unique additional services connected with their journey as well as developing a new, integrated digital onboard experience”, said Niclas Mårtensson.

Stena E-Flexer keel laying ceremony at AVIC Weihai. Stena Line
Stena E-Flexer keel laying ceremony at AVIC Weihai. Stena Line

The new RoPax vessels will be deployed on the Irish Sea and represent a key strategic investment to continue to further strengthen Stena Line’s business in the region.

Stena E-Flexer keel laying ceremony at AVIC Weihai. Stena Line
Stena E-Flexer keel laying ceremony at AVIC Weihai. Stena Line

“We have a positive outlook on the future and foresee continued growth within ferry transportation so this is an important strategic step in helping us to prepare our business to leverage that anticipated growth”, concluded Niclas Mårtensson.

Technical details of the new vessels:

Length: 214,5 m

Draught: 6,4 m

Breadth: 27,8 m

Car deck capacity: 3,100 lane meter + 120 cars

Passenger capacity: 1,000

Cabins: 175

Engines: 2 x V12 4-stroke diesel (2 x 12,600 kW)

Speed: 22 knots

Built: AVIC Weihai Shipyard, China

Stena Line, Gothenburg

5 February 2018


For more information on the Stena E-Flexer class, see the dedicated page on NIFS here.


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