Photo: Foton: CMJS Shipyard
Stena RoRo took recently delivery of E-Flexer no. 11, in a series of 15 vessels, from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai). The ship Saint-Malo is being chartered to the French shipping company Brittany Ferries for 10 years with a purchase option after four years.
In February next year, the ship will enter the Portsmouth – Saint-Malo route, where she will replace the Bretagne, which has sailed on the route since 1987. This is the fourth of five ordered E-Flexer vessels that will be part of Brittany Ferries’ fleet.
The Saint-Malo is now on its way to Europe and is expected to arrive at its home port by the end of the year, and enter service on February 12.
As with four of the five E-Flexer ships that Stena RoRo is delivering to Brittany Ferries, the vessel will be powered by multi-fuel engines as well as the market’s largest battery-hybrid package of a whopping 12 MWh.
With the help of these batteries, Stena RoRo said the ship will be able to operate in and out of port with batteries only and even maneuver during docking and departure without the ship’s diesel engines being in operation.
Photo: Foton: CMJS Shipyard
The Saint-Malo, with over 380 passenger cabins in various categories, is also equipped with a shore connection with an output of 8 MW for high-speed charging of the batteries, enabling a completely fossil-free stay when in port.
In accordance with Stena RoRo, the vessel can run at speeds of up to 17.5 knots on batteries alone.
The ship’s modern interior (designed by Figura Arkitekter AB) has clear influences from the Brittany region.
The ship’s engines can be powered by marine diesel, liquefied natural gas or biodiesel and biogas.
“The total of five E-Flexer ships ordered by Brittany Ferries are renewing and modernizing the company’s current fleet of cargo and passenger ships,” Stena RoRo said.
The first ferry, the Galicia was delivered in autumn of 2020, the second in November 2021, and the third in December 2023.
In October 2024, the Saint-Malo, which is the fourth vessel, was delivered, and in early January 2025, delivery of the fifth and final vessel is scheduled.
Stena RoRo has placed 15 orders for E-Flexer vessels with CMI Jinling, the Weihai shipyard, as well as two new Max RoRo vessels. Eleven vessels have now been delivered.
