Six weeks ahead of schedule, the ropax ‘Côte d’Opale’ – Stena’s fifth E-Flexer – was delivered from CMI Jinling (Weihai).
The ship is now on her maiden voyage to Europe where she will enter service during the summer.
Stena RoRo has signed a long-term charter agreement with DFDS, and the ship, at 214 m, will become the longest ferry operating in the English Channel.
“Our focus is to adapt the design to our customers’ specific wishes, and in this case, DFDS has been very involved in the ship’s unique design,” explained Per Westling, Stena RoRo CEO. “In addition to far-reaching demands regarding the environmental aspects and technology, flexibility is one of the main characteristics of the E-Flexer class.”
To date, Stena RoRo has ordered nine large E-Flexer ropaxes, five of which have now been delivered. The company has an option for additional vessels.
‘Côte d’Opale’ will serve the Dover/Calais route as a day ferry. Instead of cabins, there are extra-large areas devoted to activities and passenger comfort. The bow and stern have been especially designed to fit the quayside facilities at both ports, and in addition, she is equipped with a third bow thruster to facilitate the many daily manoeuvres in port.
“We offer efficient transport solutions for both cargo and passengers,” said Torben Carlsen, DFDS Group CEO. “With a capacity of 160 cars and space for 1,000 passengers, the ’Côte d’Opale’ is a fine example of how we combine cargo and passenger traffic without compromising the on board experience.
“We really appreciate Stena’s E-Flexer design, which has made it possible to adapt the ferry, in collaboration with Stena, to the wishes associated with the short crossings across the channel. With this ferry, we will be able to offer our passengers a comfortable journey,” he said.
Stena E-Flexer orders at CMI Jinling (Weihai), China:
- Stena Line – in service between Holyhead and Dublin in early 2020.
- Stena Line – in service between Belfast and Liverpool in 2020.
- Brittany Ferries – long-term charter agreement for service between the UK and Spain.
- Stena Line – in service between Belfast and Liverpool in 2021.
- DFDS – long-term charter agreement for service between Dover/Calais, delivery 2021.
- Brittany Ferries – LNG operations – long-term charter agreement for service between the UK and Spain, delivery, November
- Stena Line – extended version, delivery 2022.
- Stena Line – extended version, delivery 2022.
- Brittany Ferries – LNG operations- long-term charter agreement, delivery 2023.
Stena Line has also announced the launch of the first new extended E-Flexer in Weihai, China.
The vessel was ordered in 2018 and her delivery is expected in 2022. For now, the name of the new vessel and the route on which it will operate are being kept a closely guarded secret, Stena Line said.
This vessel was floated out on 24th May and is the fourth out of five new next generation E-Flexer vessels that are are designed and built in collaboration with the sister company, Stena RoRo at the CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard in China.
”The E-Flexer vessels represent an important part of our sustainable growth journey for the future and we look forward to welcoming two more vessels to our fleet next year.
“The first three vessels are making waves with our appreciative customers across the Irish Sea and both their flexibility and efficiency has already made them great assets for the company during the pandemic and following Brexit,” said Niclas Mårtensson, Stena Line Managing Director.
”Despite the challenges connected to the pandemic we have been able to deliver our newbuildings in time and thereby enabling Stena Line to perform their fleet renewal programme as planned,” added Stena RoRo’s Westling.
The fourth and the fifth vessels will be larger at 240 m long with a load capacity of 3,600 lane meters. In total, the bigger vessels are also fitted with 50 % more cabins and beds, a 30 % increase in passenger capacity and an additional 15% cargo capacity.
Among the distinguishing features are:
- Efficient loading and unloading with drive-through lanes on two levels.
- Up to 30 % more energy efficient than existing vessels in the fleet, thanks to optimum design of the hulls, propellers, bulbs and rudders.
- All five vessels are delivered gas-ready, to allow conversion to methanol or LNG fuel.
- The two longer vessels will be equipped to use shore power during port calls to reduce emissions. The electricity connection also enables the future conversion to battery hybrid operations.
