Stena Elektra ferry

MS Stena Elektra ferry is a Ro-Pax passenger vessel planned (currently under development) for the Sweden-based company STENA LINE. The ship has max passenger capacity 1000, freight capacity 3000 lanemetres (3x car decks for ~600 cars or ~170 freight vehicles/trailers/trucks-lorries). The unique vessel is the first of two (planned by STENA) and scheduled for launch and inauguration in 2027.

Stena Elektra - the first of two battery-powered ships to be built for STENA LINE - will be deployed year-round on the Sweden-Denmark ferry route Goteborg/Gothenburg-Frederikshavn. For this project (Port Gothenburg's Tranzero Initiative), STENA partnered with Port Goteborg, Volvo Group (1927-founded, Goteborg-headquartered Swedish vehicles and engines manufacturing company/trucks, buses, heavy equipment, engines) and with Scania AB (1911-founded Swedish manufacturer of commercial vehicles/heavy lorries, trucks, buses, diesel engines). The project aims to reduce Port Goteborg's carbon emissions by 70% by the year 2030.

The Tranzero Initiative was officially announced during a press conference on February 4, 2021, by Niclas Martensson (STENA LINE's CEO). The shipbuilding order for the first of two units (Stena Elektra) will be placed in 2025. The ship design is expected to be finalized in 2022.

Since 2018, the upgraded as "battery hybrid" fleetmate Stena Jutlandica (1996-built) operates the Goteborg-Frederikshavn service using battery power only while in port - during maneuvering for berthing and undocking only. Jutlandica's batteries are berth-charged (at Port Gothenburg) with "green electricity" which annually saves ~1500 tonnes of CO2 (equal to ~600 cars emissions per year). By 2030, STENA plans to reduce CO2 emissions fleetwide by 40% (over 2008) and by 100% (zero emissions) by 2050.

The newbuild ferry Stena Elektra will be the world's first fully-electric / fossil fuel-free Ro-Pax vessel (wheeled cargo and passenger ship). What is officially revealed so far about the vessel's details is LOA length ~200 m (~655 ft), 3 large-capacity cargo decks, fore-located passenger facilities (restaurants, reserved seating lounge, staterooms), Navigation Bridge, top-deck Funnels (smokestacks) and Helipad (helicopter-landing platform used in cases of emergencies). The ship will be constructed from high-tensile/low-carbon steel (hull) and lightweight composite materials (superstructure) to lower the weight and increase energy efficiency.

The new ferry is designed to run only on battery power for ~50 NM/nautical miles (~93 km / 58 mi) - or the entire Goteborg-Frederikshavn sea distance. To achieve this, the vessel will be fitted with powerful battery pack (capacity ~70 MWh) and also with shoreside power capabilities allowing recharging while docked in both ports.

Stena Line is also investigating the possibility to combine the battery power with alternative fossil-free fuels (fuel cells, hydrogen, bio methanol) to give the ships a greater reach. The development of Stena Elektra ship was one of Stena Teknik's main projects in 2019. The subsidiary Stena Teknik is the company's technical division for marine-related businesses. Stena Teknik is pro-environmental and focused on climate-neutral shipping, vessel design optimizations and artificial intelligence/machine learning (route optimization) for both existing ferries and newbuilds, aiming to increase fuel efficiency and cargo capacity.

In 2019, Stena Teknik also assisted the development of TENA LINE's E-Flexer Class ferries (China-built) which are among the most energy-efficient passenger ships ever constructed. Stena's E-Flexer units consume ~1/4 less fuel in comparison to equivalent GT tonnage ships.

STENA ferry deals

Follows a list of discounts and special offers provided by Stena Line (direct bookings only).

On the routes Holland-UK (Hook of Holland-Harwich, day voyages only), Denmark-Norway (Frederikshavn-Oslo, Monday to Friday only), Denmark-Sweden (Grenaa-Varberg) and Germany-Sweden (Rugen Island/Sassnitz-Trelleborg and Rostock-Trelleborg), passengers can ferry caravans free of charge. This discount applies to the car plus caravan fares and can't be combined with other offers.

All STENA ships allow boarding with LPG-fueled vehicles ("liquefied petroleum gas"). Motorhomes can be ferried between UK and Holland priced as cars (day voyages only). Only on the ships serving the Denmark-Norway route (Frederikshavn-Oslo), there are power connections (at a fee) for caravan fridges and freezers. Bicycles can be ferried (at a fee) on all STENA ships and on all routes.

STENA's train and ferry deals offer discounted pricing on train travel to London (fares subject to availability). STENA issues e-tickets (not separate train tickets) and the passenger's self-printed e-ticket serves as a train ticket. Dutch Railways tickets (to and from the port) can't be included in the ferry booking. These e-tickets are not valid on private UK rail carriers. Intercity Direct and ICE trains are with extra charge.

Special meals (vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal food, gluten- or lactose-free foods) can be pre-ordered on the UK-Holland route Harwich-Hook of Holland. All the ingredients used for these special meals are verified by their manufacturers. Vegetarian meals contain dairy products, eggs, vegetables. Muslim meals don't contain pork (or by-products) as well as food containing alcohol. Special food orders must be made 48 hours prior departure (via email upon booking or by calling +31 (0)174 - 315 811).

Hand luggage restrictions per person (carried in the ship's public areas) include max dimensions 60x50x40 cm and up to 12 kg. Foot passengers are allowed to bring only 2 pieces of extra luggage (up to 20 kg), checked-in on day voyages (unless there is a booked cabin). Car passengers must leave their luggage in the vehicle. Remember that car decks are closed during the voyage. Any extra baggage will be surcharged.

The company doesn't allow 36 weeks' pregnant women to travel, as well as 34 weeks pregnant when expecting more than one baby. Passengers with restricted mobility will be assisted prior departure and also onboard. Such passengers must contact the company's staff at least 48 hours prior to departure (via email or by calling +31 (0)174-315811). Wheelchair passengers must arrive at the port at least 2 hours prior to departure and go to the company's check-in desk.

Tickets with blank return date are not offered. However, it is possible to book "open ticket" with a temporary date, that can be changed later to the actual return date. STENA LINE's deals are categorized as "Economy", "Flexi" and "Premium". ECONOMY fares are always the cheapest, but with an amendment fee and without refund for changes and cancellations. FLEXI fares allow changes to be made to your booking at no cost. Passengers only pay the difference in fare, with the option of a full refund for canceling. PREMIUM fares (depending on routes) offer different bonus perks, such as express boarding and disembarkation, Stena Plus Lounge seats, included Breakfast. PREMIUM deals are not available on the routes Sassnitz-Rugen/Rostock-Trelleborg, Grenaa-Varberg, Nynashamn-Ventspils Latvia and Travemunde-Liepaja Latvia. PREMIUM fares on the route Hook of Holland-England (Harwich) are inclusive of Stena Plus Lounge seat and Breakfast (on night voyages only).

Pets on the ship

Pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) can be ferried on all STENA ships, but some requirements depend on the itinerary (destination).

Pets are not allowed in passenger cabins unless the stateroom is "pet-friendly" (usually 2-bed dog's cabin). All ships have a dog toilet. At all times during the voyage, dogs must be leashed and muzzled, and never left alone. Guide dogs travel for free and are allowed on all passenger decks and in the owners' cabin (but must wear a harness or jacket).

On STENA ferries serving Scandinavian routes (Sweden-Norway-Latvia) are required valid EU pet passports with standard information about the animal's identity, vaccinations (other treatments). Pets also must have an approved microchip (or tattoo) and rabies vaccination by an authorized veterinarian. Pets traveling to Norway must be treated for tapeworm. Passengers with pets must arrive at the port at least 1-hour prior to departure.

On STENA ferries to England and Ireland, passengers with pets must arrive at the port at least 2 hours prior departure. For all other routes, this time is 1-1,5 hours. All animals are subject to the UK Pet Travel scheme rules and must be at least 15 weeks old. EU pet passports and microchips are required. Car passengers can ferry up to 5 animals (per vehicle). These cars receive a colored hanger (placed on the windscreen rear-view mirror until customs are cleared in each port). Pets in vehicles must remain inside at all times. Foot passengers are allowed up to 5 pets, but pre-booking an onboard kennel is required. Children traveling with an animal must be 16 years old. When traveling with 6 or more animals, they must be at least 6 months old.

All STENA ships have onboard kennels, including big (100x97x94 cm), medium-sized (100x64x108 cm) and small (100x65x50 cm). All cabins provide TV monitoring of the kennels. Visits of the pet during the voyage are recommended.

Car decks

Stena Elektra has three cargo decks (Car Deck areas interconnected via ramps). The ship's machinery (engines, backup generators, fuel tanks) are in the hull, below Car Deck 1.

Follows a list of car decks related safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk (open 24-hours).
• Apply handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear position. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• From your vehicle take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
• Make a note of your vehicle's location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
• Access to the ship's vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges is forbidden.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
• In order to avoid air pollution, don't start the engine until instructed.

The shipowner Stena Line (fleet, 1962-founded, headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden) is one of the world's largest ferry companies, providing freight and travel shipping services on Northern Europe's routes that connect UK, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Poland.