Finland-based Deltamarin and China Merchants Jinling shipyard (Weihai) have signed contracts for the basic and detailed design packages of three roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) vessels.

These will be the tenth, 11th and 12th Stena E-Flexer vessels for two separate end clients.

Stena’s E-Flexer class integrates cargo and passenger capabilities, and the vessels will be ‘substantially larger’ than other standard ferries.

Deltamarin stated that the Stena E-Flexer class provides lower emissions, enhanced performance, reduced costs and improved energy efficiency.

Vessel number ten will be chartered from Stena RoRo by Marine Atlantic, a Canadian federal Crown corporation.

With nearly 2,600 lane meters, this vessel will feature liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel engines, along with a battery hybrid solution to reduce emissions.

It will have the capacity to carry nearly 1,100 passengers and will enter service in 2024, sailing in eastern Canada between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

The 11th and 12th vessels will be chartered by Brittany Ferries.

These ferries will be able to accommodate nearly 1,400 passengers each.

Deltamarin stated that the cargo capacities will be customized for the planned services, with the total lane meters and lane meters planned for cars differing.

In addition, both E-Flexer vessels will be able to operate on LNG, biogas or other new fuels, including ammonia.

The vessels will feature a large battery hybrid solution of 10MWh for propulsion and manoeuvring in port, as well as an 8MW electric shore connection for charging the batteries.

With deliveries scheduled for 2024 and 2025, the vessels will sail on two of Brittany Ferries’ primary routes between Portsmouth, UK, and Ouistreham (Caen) and St Malo in France.

The company stated that the design work will begin immediately, with completion expected during 2022.