Posidonia 2016: DNV GL Class for new GAS READY Stena RoPax newbuildings

Stena Line’s RoPax ferries will set a new industry standard when it comes to operational performance, emissions and cost competitiveness (Credit: Stena Line).

Athens, 7 June 2016: DNV GL announced today at the Posidonia trade fair that it has signed a contract to provide classification services for Stena Line’s new RoPax ferries, to be constructed at AVIC Weihai Shipyard in China. The initial order is for four ferries, with an option for four more, with delivery planned in 2019 and 2020. The Deltamarin designed vessels will be constructed to the new DNV GL rule set, which came into force on 1 January 2016. With the additional GAS READY class notation, the four ferries will have main engines that can be powered by LNG or methanol at a later date.

“These ships will be the most fuel efficient ferries in the world and will set a new industry standard when it comes to operational performance, emissions and cost competitiveness, positioning Stena Line to support its customers in the next decades”, says Carl-Johan Hagman, Managing Director of Stena Line. “During the course of the past 24 months our engineering staff has managed to develop a design that is not only 50 per cent larger than today’s standard RoPax vessels, but more importantly, incorporates the emission reduction and efficiency initiatives that have been developed throughout the Stena Group during the past years.”

“We are very proud to have been selected by Stena Line for this exciting new project, ” says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV GL – Maritime. “That a quality focused and innovative owner like Stena Line has chosen to construct these vessels to the new DNV GL rule set clearly shows that our customers are responding to the possibilities created by the rules. We look forward to working with Stena Line, Deltamarin, AVIC Weihai Shipyard and all the project partners to ensure the successful delivery of these highly efficient, future-ready vessels.”

The RoPax ferries will be constructed for optimal efficiency and flexibility. Intended for short international routes, the first four vessels are planned to be used within Stena Lines’ route network in Northern Europe. The vessels will have the capacity to carry 1, 000 people onboard (927 passengers and 73 crew), as well as having 3, 100 lane metres in a drive-through configuration.

The vessels and their main engines will be “gas ready”, prepared to be fuelled by either methanol or LNG. DNV GL’s GAS READY notation provides a clear picture of the level of gas fuelled preparedness of a vessel, as well as guidance on the scope of the contemplated work to all involved parties. During the classification process DNV GL will also carry out statutory work on behalf of the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Main particulars:

For more about DNV GL at Posidonia 2016, please visit: https://www.dnvgl.com/maritime/media/posidonia-2016.html

About Stena Line

Stena Line is one of Europe’s leading ferry companies with 35 vessels and 22 routes in Northern Europe. Stena Line is an important part of the European logistics network and develops new intermodal freight solutions by combining transport by rail, road and sea. Stena Line also plays an important role for tourism in Europe with its extensive passenger operations. The company is family-owned, was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Gothenburg. Stena Line is part of the Stena Sphere, which has about 20, 000 employees and an annual turnover of over 50 billion SEK. For more information visitwww.stena.com

About DNV GL

Driven by its purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, DNV GL enables organizations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. Operating in more than 100 countries, the company’s 15, 000 professionals are dedicated to helping their customers in the maritime, oil & gas, energy and other industries to make the world safer, smarter and greener. For more information visit www.dnvgl.com/maritime