As part of its goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030, Stena Line has developed Stena Futuro, a 240m hybrid-electric ro-ro concept vessel intended for transporting semi-trailers and cars.
The vessel will have hybrid propulsion, batteries and engines with low fuel consumption that can run on several different fuels. The battery system makes it ready to partly operate the vessel on electricity alone – for example, when entering and leaving ports. Solar panels will also contribute to the ship’s electricity needs. According to the company, the Stena Futuro can reduce energy usage by 20% or more.
“The mission is to develop the most efficient and competitive vessel possible for a specific cargo capacity, using today’s available technology. The goal is for the vessel to have the lowest fuel consumption on the market,” said Nicolas Bathfield, project manager at Stena Teknik, who has been involved in developing the concept.
Wing sails
The developed concept for Stena Futuro also includes four 40m wing sails, which can be retracted when needed – for example, when passing under a bridge. Recently, Stena’s developers and the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) have conducted tests and simulations of the sails’ usage to document both energy savings and how the sails affect the ship’s maneuverability and safety.
“The tests showed that Stena Futuro’s sails could potentially result in as much as 15% fuel savings,” added Bathfield. “We also confirmed that the vessel meets all requirements for stability and maneuverability in scenarios such as sudden wind shifts and quick course changes.”
Efficient hull design
The hull and superstructure have been optimized to achieve the most efficient use of cargo space possible. At the same time, low weight and optimized hydro- and aerodynamics are central to achieving low fuel consumption. Stena Futuro’s low and streamlined design is a result of these ambitions.
The hull of Stena Futuro will also be equipped with an air lubrication system, where small air bubbles are released beneath the waterline to reduce friction between the vessel and the water. A waste heat recovery system will make it possible to reuse the hot exhaust gases from the ship’s engines to meet other onboard heating needs as well as support electric power generation.
Future sustainability plans
While there is currently no finalized plan for the production of Stena Futuro, the ship design will reportedly play a vital part for Stena Line’s future tonnage planning in the coming years.
Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line, concluded, “We aim to help lead our industry in achieving the global climate goals. We work toward this every day in our ongoing operations, but we also need to be at the forefront in developing tomorrow’s vessels. The Stena Futuro concept is an important step in that direction.”
In related news, Stena RoRo recently took delivery of E-Flexer No. 11 – in a series of 15 vessels – from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai). Click here to read the full story