Stena RoRo, on behalf of Swedish ferry company Stena Line, has signed a conversion contract with China Merchants Jinling (Weihai) Shipyard for the installation of an additional cargo deck, increased thruster capacity and preparations for shore power onboard two ferries.
As informed, the conversion project will be carried out on Stena Foreteller and Stena Forerunner. The cargo capacity will increase by 30% and the vessels will after conversion be ready to meet future efficiency requirements and reduce greenhouse (GHG) emissions, Stena Line noted.
“At Stena RoRo we see the investment of the installations on the Stena Forerunner and Stena Foreteller as a way to improve services for our fleet customers. We strive to increase cargo capacity while also keeping sustainability in focus. It’s all part of Stena’s identity. Signing the contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard is a step in the right direction,” said Per Westling , Managing Director at Stena RoRo.
”The conversion of the Stena Forerunner and Stena Foreteller fits with our ambition to reduce our CO2 emissions. In addition to increasing the cargo capacity by 30% on both the Stena Forerunner and Stena Foreteller, we also take this opportunity to invest in onboard shore power. At Stena Line we feel the need to ensure both a sustainable business and a more sustainable environment,” stated Niclas Mårtensson , CEO at Stena Line.
In 2023, both vessels were decarbonized by changing propellers, applying silicone paint and adding interceptors. The additional cargo deck is expected to decrease the carbon intensity index factor further and reduce CO2 emissions per cargo unit.
The conversion for both vessels is scheduled to be finalized during 2025.
After the conversion, the vessels will be deployed in the Stena Line route network.
Another recent collaboration with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard has been the order of the two NewMax hybrid vessels for Stena Line for the Irish Sea routes. The construction of the first vessel in this class started in January this year. These vessels will be delivered in 2025.
Stena Line is one of Europe’s biggest ferry companies transporting 6.5 million passengers with 39 vessels across 17 routes in Northern Europe operating 27,000 sailings each year.