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).
The 195-meter-long (LOA) vessel is the 5th E-Flexer unit delivered to the French company Brittany Ferries, under a long-term charter agreement with STENA.
Guillaume de Normandie is scheduled to commence service in April 2025, operating on the Portsmouth–Caen (UK-France) route. It will replace the 1992-built MS Normandie, serving the route since 1992.
Designed with advanced hybrid propulsion technology, the new ferry 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 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 18 knots (32 kph/20 mph) 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 1310 passengers, with 2410 lanemeters (wheeled cargo capacity), including 176 lanemeters 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 ships.
This vessel is part of Brittany Ferries’ fleet modernization program, which started with MS Galicia (2020), followed by Salamanca (2021), Santona (2022), and Saint-Malo (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 the shipowner's/STENA’s commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for the maritime industry, exemplified by the capabilities of the Guillaume de Normandie.