E-Flexer class ferry

The E-Flexer is a class of RORO ferries ordered by Stena Line for European line service. Six vessels of the class are on order, and upon delivery will be operated by Stena Line, Brittany Ferries, and DFDS Seaways.

History

Following about two years of design work, Stena ordered the first four vessels of the class from Chinese shipbuilder AVIC Weihai in April 2016, with options for four more ships.[1] Stena originally planned to utilize the four ferries on Irish Sea services out of Belfast, but later agreed to charter the third ship in the series to Brittany Ferries.[2] In February 2018, the keel was laid for the first ship, with her delivery scheduled for early 2020.[3][2] Stena Line affiliate Stena RoRo ordered a fifth ship in April 2018, which will enter service with DFDS Seaways on a ten-year charter upon delivery.[4] The following month, Stena RoRo ordered a sixth ship, to be placed with Brittany Ferries on a ten-year charter beginning in late 2021.[5] Construction on the second ship in the class began in June 2018.[6] In July, Stena Line ordered two more ships, accounting for all the options in the original 2016 order, while Stena RoRo announced that it had agreed to take new options for four more vessels.[7]

Upon delivery in early 2020, the first ship will operate for Stena Line between Dublin, Ireland and Holyhead, Wales.[2] The second and fourth ships will operate for Stena between Belfast and Birkenhead, England.[2] Britanny Ferries will operate the third and sixth ships out of Portsmouth, England to Bilbao and Santander, Spain.[2] The fifth ship will operate for DFDS on routes from Portsmouth to French ports.[2]

Design

E-flexer class ships were designed by Deltamarin.[2] The first six ships of the type measure 42,400 GT and are 214.5 metres (704 ft) in length, with a beam of 27.8 metres (91 ft) and a draft of 6.4 metres (21 ft).[2] Their freight deck has a capacity of 3,100 lane meters, with additional space for about 120 cars.[2] The seventh and eighth ships will be 240 metres (790 ft) long, with 3,600 lane meters of freight capacity.[7] Passenger capacity is about 1,000 people, though the interior layout is built to the requirements of the operator.[2]

The first five ships to be built are each powered by two MaK M43C diesel engines, with a total power output of 25,200 kilowatts (33,800 hp), driving two propellers that give the ships a top speed of 22 knots (25 mph).[2] Those engines are designed to be compatible with liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel after modifications, while the sixth ship in the series will be delivered with LNG propulsion.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Stena Line to Add Four New RoPax Ferries". World Maritime News. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Stena's new formula for ro-pax market". The Motorship. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  3. ↑ "AVIC lays keel for first of Stena's E-Flexer ferries". Baird Maritime. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "Stena orders "Gas Ready" RoPax for charter to DFDS". Marine Log. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "Stena RoRo Places an Order for LNG Newbuild". Marine Link. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  6. ↑ "Keel laid for second Stena Line ferry". Baird Maritime. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Stena Lifts Options for Two More E-Flexer Ships". World Maritime News. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
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