Stena RoRo Advances Sustainability: Orders 13th E-Flexer Vessel for Corsica Linea
Stena RoRo, a prominent shipping company, has recently placed an order for its thirteenth RoPax-class E-Flexer vessel from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai). This new addition to the fleet is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026 and is destined for Corsica Linea’s service between Marseille and Corsica. Notably, it marks Stena RoRo’s inaugural delivery to the Mediterranean region within the E-Flexer series.
Green Transition for Corsica Linea
Pierre-Antoine Villanova, CEO of Corsica Linea, emphasizes the strategic significance of this acquisition in the context of the company’s ambitious goals. He states, “The arrival of this new LNG vessel in the fleet is a strong signal that is in line with the ambitious course set for Corsica Linea in the coming years: to become the most modern shipping company in the Mediterranean by 2030. This new and highly efficient ship will be an important factor in our green transition and a part of our objective to reduce our CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030.”
E-Flexer Series: Sustainability and Flexibility
The E-Flexer series, on which this vessel is based, introduces a concept featuring larger vessels compared to standard RoPax ferries, with a strong emphasis on flexibility. Each ship is customized to meet the specific needs of customers, both commercially and technically. The optimized design of the hull, propellers, and rudders ensures that E-Flexer vessels lead the way in sustainability, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
Multi-Fuel Engines and Battery Power
One of the distinctive features of the E-Flexer vessels is their multi-fuel engines, capable of running on LNG, conventional marine fuel (MGO), or biodiesel. The vessels are designed in compliance with current and future environmental standards. Notably, the classification society notation “Battery power” means these vessels can integrate batteries for propulsion in the future, aligning with the industry’s push towards cleaner energy sources.
Per Westling, Managing Director of Stena RoRo, highlights the ship’s role in sustainability, stating, “This ship is a further development of our previous RoPax concepts, where the focus on sustainability and future-proofing has been a top priority. Through the further development and optimization of the hull shape in combination with multi-fuel engines and battery hybrid technology, ordering new vessels will be the most important and powerful measure to reduce CO2 emissions from shipping in the future.”
Expanding Fleet and Construction Milestones
Stena RoRo’s commitment to sustainable shipping is evident in its extensive order book. With 13 confirmed orders for E-Flexer vessels and two “New Max” RoRo vessels at the CMI Jinling shipyard, the company is actively contributing to the advancement of environmentally friendly maritime solutions. Notably, the shipyard will have six vessels under construction simultaneously, showcasing the scale of the company’s dedication to modern and sustainable shipping practices. As of now, nine E-Flexer vessels have already been successfully delivered.
In conclusion, Stena RoRo’s latest order signifies a significant step towards greener and more efficient maritime transportation, aligning with the evolving demands of the industry and contributing to the broader global efforts in sustainability.
The E-Flexer series is based on a concept with larger vessels than today’s standard RoPax ferries, and is very flexible. Each ship is tailored to the customers’ needs, both commercially and technically. Optimized design of the hull, propellers and rudders help to ensure that the E-Flexer vessels are at the forefront when it comes to sustainability, performance and cost.
The vessels’ engines are of the multi-fuel type and can run on LNG, conventional marine fuel (MGO) or biodiesel. The vessels have been designed in line with future environmental requirements and, through their technical design, can meet both existing and future international requirements by a wide margin. The vessels will be designed with the classification society notation “Battery power” which means that in the future the vessels will also be able to utilize batteries as a means of propulsion.
“This ship is a further development of our previous RoPax concepts, where the focus on sustainability and future-proofing has been a top priority,” says Per Westling, Managing Director, Stena RoRo. “Through the further development and optimization of the hull shape in combination with multi-fuel engines and battery hybrid technology, ordering new vessels will be the most important and powerful measure to reduce CO2 emissions from shipping in the future”.
