Stena unveils roro concept design

Stena Line has announced an ambitious new design for a roll-on/roll-off (roro) vessel, known as the Stena Futuro, which aims to significantly reduce energy consumption. The company claims that this cutting-edge ship can achieve at least a 20% decrease in energy usage, positioning it as a leader in sustainable maritime technology.

Nicolas Bathfield, project manager at Stena Teknik, emphasized the mission behind the Stena Futuro: to create the most efficient and competitively priced vessel for a specific cargo capacity using the latest technologies. “Our goal is for the vessel to have the lowest fuel consumption on the market,” Bathfield stated.

Sustainable Features of Stena Futuro

The Stena Futuro is designed to be a sleek 240-meter-long vessel equipped with hybrid propulsion systems, combining batteries and engines that utilize low fuel consumption and can operate on multiple fuel types. To further enhance its sustainability, solar panels will provide additional electricity for the ship’s operations.

One of the innovative features of the Stena Futuro is its air lubrication system, which releases small air bubbles beneath the waterline. This technology minimizes friction between the vessel and the water, thereby improving fuel efficiency. Additionally, the ship will incorporate a waste heat recovery system that allows it to reuse hot exhaust gases from its engines. This feature supports onboard heating needs and contributes to electric power generation, further enhancing the vessel’s energy efficiency.

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The design also includes four retractable wing sails, each standing 40 meters tall, which can be deployed as needed to harness wind power, providing an additional layer of energy efficiency to the vessel’s operations.

Commitment to Climate Goals

Stena Line’s CEO, Niclas Mårtensson, expressed the company’s commitment to leading the maritime industry in achieving global climate goals. “We work toward this every day in our ongoing operations, but we also need to be at the forefront in developing tomorrow’s vessels. The Stena Futuro concept is an important step in that direction,” he remarked.

This new vessel reflects Stena Line’s dedication to innovation and sustainability in maritime transport, showcasing their efforts to reduce environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency. As the shipping industry faces increasing pressure to adopt greener practices, the Stena Futuro may set a new standard for future vessel designs.