The building process for Stena Line's upcoming Heysham to Belfast ferries initiated last week in China. The first of the two vessels, identified as yard number W0320, saw the commencement of steel cutting on January 5 at the China Merchants Jinling (Weihai) shipyard.
These new vessels, anticipated to augment freight capacity by 80% and significantly reduce emissions, are scheduled for delivery in 2025. Developed in collaboration with NAOS, they adhere to Stena's "NewMax" freight RoRo design, specifically crafted to optimize cargo space within the constraints of Heysham harbour. This design aims to decrease the number of trips required compared to smaller vessels on the route, such as the existing ships STENA HIBERNIA and STENA SCOTIA. Notably, the hybrid NewMax vessels are adaptable to run on methanol, diesel, or their 9 MWh battery backs.
Recently, Stena Line and Heysham Harbour owner Peel Ports inked a new port operator agreement. As part of this collaboration, they aim to fortify shore infrastructure to provide additional electrical capacity, facilitating the future possibility of powering the vessels via shore power, rendering them zero-emission while docked.
Upon delivery, the NewMax class will be the first ferries in the UK designed for methanol use, a cleaner-burning fuel than diesel. Stena Line and engine manufacturer Wartsila note that these vessels will also be the world's first methanol-fueled hybrid RoRo ferries. Stena has secured a supply of e-methanol, produced using renewable sources, aligning with its commitment to shift to renewable fuels and reduce carbon emissions by up to 95%.
The 147-metre (482-feet) long NewMax class is designed to accommodate 2,800 lane meters of freight and 12 passengers. The first vessel is expected to be operational in Autumn 2025, with the second following shortly thereafter.