Stena E-Flexer Class Ro-Pax ferry

The Stena E-Flexer class is a series of thirteen (to-date) Ro-Pax ferries ordered by Stena RoRo in China. All thirteen vessels are based on a standard platform designed mainly by Stena RoRo and Deltamarin. Other Stena companies, such as Stena Line and Stena Teknik were also involved in the project.

While the first order for an initial four vessels was placed in 2016, the E-Flexer project had started back in 2013.

Artists rendering of the new Stena Ro-pax’s to be built in China and classified by DNV GL. Credit: DNV GL.

Stena E-Flexer ferries have been delivered to three operators so far – Stena Line, Brittany Ferries, and DFDS. Presently Stena Line, Brittany Ferries, and Marine Atlantic have examples of the class on order. The lead vessel in the class was STENA ESTRID.

Brittany Ferries and DFDS have agreed long term charters with Stena RoRo for their vessels. These agreements also include a purchase option. A further operator, Marine Atlantic, is expecting delivery of a single example during 2024. This will also initially be chartered from Stena RoRo.

Side-profile drawing of the lengthened ‘MkI’I Stena Line E-Flexer class. Image: © Stena Line / Steven Tarbox.

All Stena E-Flexer ferries are all being constructed by a single shipyard at Weihai, China. Delivery of the class is between 2019 and 2025. It is believed that Stena RoRo also has options for further examples at the same yard.

Variations

To-date, five different lengths of E-Flexer class ferries have been ordered. These are the standard 214.5m design (six examples for Stena Line and Brittany Ferries), two 239.7m ‘Mk II’ vessels for Stena Line), two 194.7m examples (for Brittany Ferries), a single 216.5m example (DFDS), and a single 202.9m ship for Marine Atlantic.

In total there have been nine distinct versions of the Stena E-Flexer class ordered. In addition to overall length, examples also vary by fuel method (diesel, LNG, or hybrid), Ice Class, fitment of exhaust gas scrubbers and SCR, plugin shore power, and the configuration of the onboard spaces. For example, Brittany Ferries has opted to replace the dedicated car garage with cabins on its ships. On one vessel they have gone a step further and specified passenger accommodation in part of the upper vehicle deck. As a result, this deck will only be able to accommodate cars and small vans.

(Words: Steven Tarbox, Oct 2021)