Two Stena Elektra ships to be delivered by 2030

The Stena Line ferry company, the Port of Frederikshavn and the Municipality of Frederikshavn signed an agreement earlier in the day committing each of the parties to make the necessary investments for Stena Line to introduce two ferries of the Stena Elektra class on the Gothenburg route. -Frederikshavn by 2030. The agreement will mean that land-based infrastructure such as sustainable charging facilities will be developed in parallel with ships.

Stena’s Elektra ferries will be the world’s first fossil-free Ro-Pax ships of their size. Approximately 200 meters long, the ships will have a capacity of 1,000 to 1,500 passengers and 3,000 meters of vehicle tracks. This is a similar amount to the current generation of diesel powered Stena E-Flexer ferries from Stena Line.

The arrival of the Elektra ferries, which Stena has already announced plans to order by 2025, will likely move the current ships off the route – STENA DANICA and STENA JUTLANDICA. The latter already works partially on batteries, reducing emissions by around 1,500 tonnes of CO2 per year, or the equivalent of the annual emissions of 600 passenger cars.

Stena has been developing the Elektra concept for a few years now, in collaboration with partners such as the RISE research institutes in Sweden and the Chalmers University of Technology. A recent report compiled with the help of Stena and others involved in the project for the Swedish Transport Authority concluded that a fully electric Ro-Pax ferry operating on the Gothenburg – Frederikshavn route “is a technically and commercially realistic ”. He also concludes that a fully electric vessel will likely cost 20% more to purchase than a similar conventional vessel.

Largest marine battery installation ever

Although the exact specifications of the Stena Elektra ferries have not yet been finalized, it is expected that they will come with a battery capacity of 60 to 70 MW. It is at least 10 times the largest current marine battery installation. About half of this capacity should be enough for the three hour crossing, which helps optimize battery life and charge time. It also means that there should always be enough battery capacity to return to the original port in case of problems at the destination. The charge will be via a high voltage shore cable and will take place over one hour during the turnaround.

The vessel will be constructed of high strength steel and designed to be light in order to maximize efficiency and minimize energy consumption. A new hull shape has also been developed specifically for the project which is optimized for the Gothenburg – Frederikshavn route. Propulsion is expected to be provided by Azipods which take up less space than a conventional drive chain and eliminate the need for bow thrusters to maneuver the vessel.

Stena Line CEO Niclas MÃ¥rtensson, who is also a member of the Swedish Government’s Commission for Electrification, said:

“Our ambition is to drive development towards fossil fuel-free navigation and sustainable maritime transport. That is why we are investing in new technologies and various alternative fuels. We are already ten years ahead of the international shipping industry’s goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, but with Stena Elektra we are taking another important step forward in Stena Line’s sustainable journey on the way of a completely fossil fuel-free operation ”,

The Municipality of Frederikshavn is also committed to helping to create a lasting connection between Sweden and Denmark with the two Stena Elektra vessels.

“Stena Elektra is a fantastic project for Frederikshavn. We know from experience that when the municipality leads the way, the business world as well as individuals follow in our green footsteps. Our city and Stena Line have enjoyed a close relationship for a long time, but this ambitious agreement is not only important to us – it also has ripple effects throughout Denmark, ”said Birgit Hansen, President of the City Council (S ) of the Municipality of Frederikshavn. .