Swedish shipping company Stena RoRo has recently taken delivery of Guillaume de Normandie, the 12th vessel in its E-Flexer series of roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) ferries, from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai). This 194.7-meter vessel marks the 5th E-Flexer ship delivered to French operator Brittany Ferries, under a long-term charter agreement.
Guillaume de Normandie is scheduled to commence service in April 2025, operating on the Portsmouth–Caen route. It will replace the Normandie, a vessel that has served the route since 1992.
Designed with advanced hybrid propulsion technology, the ship features multi-fuel engines and a 12 MWh battery-hybrid system, recognized as the largest of its kind globally. These batteries enable the ferry to operate on battery power alone during port maneuvers and docking, significantly reducing emissions. The vessel’s shore connection, with an 8 MW output, allows high-speed battery charging and ensures a fully fossil-free stay in port. With its scalable propulsion system, the ship can achieve speeds of up to 17.5 knots solely on battery power and can accommodate future upgrades for full battery operation or combined fuel usage.
The Guillaume de Normandie is certified to carry 1,300 passengers, with 2,410 lane meters for cargo, including 176 lane meters for personal vehicles. Its design reflects the hallmark flexibility of the E-Flexer series, with a larger size and adaptable configurations compared to traditional RoPax ferries.
This vessel joins Brittany Ferries’ ongoing fleet modernization, which began with the delivery of Galicia in 2020, followed by Salamanca in 2021, Santona in 2022, and Saint-Malo in 2024. All 5 ships have been delivered by Stena RoRo as part of the series’ 15 confirmed orders with CMI Jinling, Weihai. Of these, 12 vessels have now been completed, with 3 more to follow, as well as two New Max RoRo vessels currently on order.
The E-Flexer series underlines Stena RoRo’s commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for the maritime industry, exemplified by the capabilities of the Guillaume de Normandie.