Stena Line Unveils Fuel-Efficient Concept Ship ‘STENA FUTURO’

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Stena Line has introduced STENA FUTURO, a next-generation RoRo concept ship designed to significantly cut fuel consumption and emissions. With a 240-metre length, it is tailored for transporting semi-trailers and cars.

Thanks to optimised hull design, streamlined structure, and hybrid propulsion, STENA FUTURO is expected to reduce energy use by over 20%. It will feature battery support, low-fuel engines compatible with various fuels, solar panels, and an air lubrication system to minimise water resistance. A waste heat recovery system will reuse exhaust energy.

Notably, the design includes four 40-metre wing sails, which recent tests showed could provide up to 15% additional fuel savings.

Stena Line aims to cut CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030, and STENA FUTURO marks a significant step in its sustainability journey.

Stena Line Enhances Partnership with Nowhere Networks

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Stena Line has been using Nowhere Networks’ land-based network on 32 ships since 2021. It has now chosen Nowhere Networks as its sole connectivity provider, managing all internet communication for its entire fleet. The solution includes high-speed internet with full coverage, SD-WAN, traffic control and optimization, a portal, payment solution, single point of contact, and 24/7/365 NOC.

Source: Nowhere Networks

Stena Line and Norsepower Join Forces for a Cleaner Future

By | 2025 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

Stena Line and Norsepower have signed an agreement for the installation of two Norsepower Rotor Sails™ on STENA CONNECTA, Stena Line’s brand-new methanol-hybrid RoRo ferry.

  • This partnership marks another step in Stena Line’s ambition to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030.
  • Two 28×4 metre Norsepower Rotor Sails™ (NPRS).
  • Up to 9% fuel savings on the vessel’s planned route. T
  • Ferry is scheduled for delivery from Stena RoRo in Q4 2025
  • Irish Sea, Belfast-Heysham, where wind conditions are highly favourable for wind-assisted propulsion.

Stena Line Announces Strategic Restructuring to Secure Future Amidst Economic Pressures

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Stena Line has announced the launch of a strategic programme aimed at future-proofing the company and enabling essential investments. This move comes in response to the significant economic pressures impacting the industry, including high inflation and rising costs linked to the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). These factors have dampened the purchasing power of Stena Line’s passenger and freight customers, resulting in a decline in volumes for both segments.

The programme will involve the reduction of approximately 80 positions and the departure of around 30 consultants in 2025. This restructuring, pending union negotiations, will predominantly affect support functions. The company underscores that these difficult measures are part of a comprehensive review of their current organisation and cost structure.

Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line, emphasised the weight of this decision, stating, “It is with a heavy heart that we have made this choice. Stena Line has experienced years of success, but now we must ensure we have a cost base that allows us to secure the company’s future. With 40 vessels operating across ten countries, we face significant sustainability challenges. The programme we are launching today is essential to tackle these challenges and execute necessary future investments.”

Looking ahead, Stena Line is also preparing for substantial investments in energy supply and the shift to alternative fuels, as well as enhancements in digital solutions to meet evolving customer expectations. This forward-looking strategy aims to balance immediate cost savings with the long-term need for sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Interview with Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line, in RoPax 13 (May 2024):

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  • Performance in 2023:
    • Stena Line had a decent year in terms of volume and customer satisfaction.
    • The company faced high costs due to increased salaries, spare parts, and interest rates.
    • Brexit did not negatively impact traffic between Ireland and the UK, which remains stable and growing.
  • Market Challenges:
    • The Baltic Sea region was significantly impacted by the Ukraine war and higher interest rates, affecting macroeconomic activities.
    • Competition is intense, with other operators reducing prices.
  • Expansion and Investment:
    • Stena Line expanded in the Mediterranean by acquiring a 49% stake in African Morocco Link (AML).
    • New logistics hubs were established in Liverpool and Dublin, enhancing operations between Ireland and the UK.
    • The company is also developing a new port in Immingham, transitioning some services from Killingholme.
  • Sustainability Efforts:
    • Stena Line continues to explore green fuel options, including methanol and hybrid solutions combining biodiesel and batteries.
    • The “Stena Electra” project remains of interest, but its future depends on infrastructure investments in electricity.
  • New Ventures:
    • Stena Line sees potential in the Morocco-Spain route, emphasizing the strategic importance of Morocco’s infrastructure investments and its role in connecting Europe and Africa.
  • Future Outlook:
    • Despite market fluctuations, Stena Line is focused on infrastructure investments rather than acquiring customers.
    • The company remains adaptable in its approach to fuel and propulsion systems, seeking to balance sustainability with economic feasibility.

Read the full interview in RoPax magazine: PDF

Stena Line to increase cargo capacity by 30% on Stena Forerunner and Stena Foreteller

By | 2024 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

Stena RoRo 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 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.

The conversion for both vessels will be finalised during 2025.

Stena Line adds Bore Song on Dublin – Liverpool

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Stena Line has introduced a larger RoRo ship, Bore Song, on the Dublin – Liverpool (Birkenhead) route. The freight only vessel will increase capacity on the route by 30%.

Stena Line’s Dublin-Liverpool dedicated freight service has been operational since 15th February 2024 with cover ships serving customers temporarily whilst the company searched for a longer-term solution.

Bore Song entered service on the route Sunday 14 April on the 18:00 sailing from 12 Quays in Birkenhead.  With capacity for almost 3,000 lane metres of freight, the ship provides significantly more space and is well suited for the demand for unaccompanied freight on this route.

With the addition of the new vessel to the Irish Sea fleet, Stena Line will now restore capacity on the Rosslare – Fishguard and Rosslare – Cherbourg routes.

Stena Line launches newly refurbished ships on North Sea corridor

By | 2024 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

Stena Line has revamped its vessels, Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica, on the North Sea route, completing each refurbishment in just 18 days. With a focus on passenger comfort and environmental sustainability, the ships now boast increased seating capacity, new dining and lounge options, and upgraded Wi-Fi. Notably, the hulls were coated with specialized paint, leading to significant fuel savings of approximately 780,000 liters annually per ship and a reduction of about 2,500 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. These upgrades align with Stena Line’s goal to lower CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030.

Source: Stena Line

Group photo: Erik Thulin, Trade Director, Stena Line; Peter Jacobs, Superintendent, Stena Line; Joyce de Bruin, Onboard Commercial Manager, Stena Line; Daniël de Wildt, Chef, Stena Line; Jeffrey van der Zee, Chef, Stena Line; Steven Fearon, Managing Director, Madden Marine; and Alan Robertson, Master, Stena Britannica.

Photographer: Rob van der Voort

Stena Line officially commenced Dublin-Liverpool freight route

By | 2024 Newsletter week 07 | No Comments

Stena Line has commenced its new Dublin – Liverpool (Birkenhead) freight service on 15 February 2024. The addition of the new route is expected to further boost the company’s freight volumes following a record year on its Irish Sea services in 2023.

The addition of the new service will be Stena Line’s seventh route in the Irish Sea region complementing its Belfast – Cairnryan, Belfast – Heysham, Belfast – Liverpool, Dublin – Holyhead, Rosslare – Fishguard and Rosslare – Cherbourg services.

With RoPax STENA HORIZON temporarily operating on the new Dublin- Liverpool route, the company is currently assessing ship deployment options for a permanent freight-only RoRo vessel.