Stena RoRo to commission another E-Flexer

The Saint-Malo will operate between Portsmouth and Saint-Malo from February 2025 (Source: Stena RoRo)
The Saint-Malo is the fourth of five E-Flexer ships that will become part of the French company’s fleet. Like the others, the vessel will be powered by multi-fuel engines and what is claimed to be the market’s largest battery-hybrid package of 12 MWh.
This arrangement will enable the ship to operate and manoeuvre in and out of port using only battery power. The batteries also have sufficient capacity to enable the ship to operate at speeds of up to 17.5 knots. Its engines can run on different fuels including marine gasoil, liquefied natural gas, biodiesel and biogas.
The Saint-Malo has a shore connection with an output of 8 MW. This will enable high-speed charging of batteries and fossil-free operation in port.
The E-Flexer concept developed by Stena RoRo allows each vessel to be adapted to meet a customer’s commercial and technical requirements. The ships are designed as ‘ready’ for new technologies as they become available in the future.
Per Westling, CEO of Stena RoRo, commented: “It is with great satisfaction and pride that we’ve now taken delivery of the eleventh E-Flexer vessel in the series. Within the framework of the E-Flexer concept, there has been continuous technical development, and we can offer our customers very flexible and future-proof propulsion systems that by a margin meet both present and future environmental requirements. The large battery hybrid system we installed on the Saint-Malo means that the ship can operate optimally, in steps with regulatory developments, or in accordance with the operator's own policies.”
Stena RoRo has placed 15 orders for E-Flexer vessels with CMI Jinling (Weihai), as well as two New Max RoRo vessels. Eleven vessels have now been delivered.
The Saint-Malo is being chartered to Brittany Ferries for ten years with a purchase option after four years.