DNV GL Class for new GAS READY Stena RoPax newbuildings

DNV GL announced today at the Posidonia trade fair that it has signed a contract to provide classification services for Stena Line’s new RoPax ferries, to be constructed at AVIC Weihai Shipyard in China. 

“These ships will be the most fuel efficient ferries in the world and will set a new industry standard when it comes to operational performance, emissions and cost competitiveness, positioning Stena Line to support its customers in the next decades”, says Carl-Johan Hagman, Managing Director of Stena Line. “During the course of the past 24 months our engineering staff has managed to develop a design that is not only 50 per cent larger than today’s standard RoPax vessels, but more importantly, incorporates the emission reduction and efficiency initiatives that have been developed throughout the Stena Group during the past years.”

“We are very proud to have been selected by Stena Line for this exciting new project,” says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV GL – Maritime. “That a quality focused and innovative owner like Stena Line has chosen to construct these vessels to the new DNV GL rule set clearly shows that our customers are responding to the possibilities created by the rules. We look forward to working with Stena Line, Deltamarin, AVIC and all the project partners to ensure the successful delivery of these highly efficient, future-ready vessels.”

The RoPax ferries will be constructed for optimal efficiency and flexibility. Intended for short international routes, the first four vessels are planned to be used within Stena Lines’ route network in Northern Europe. The vessels will have the capacity to carry 1,000 people onboard (927 passengers and 73 crew), as well as having 3,100 lane metres in a drive-through configuration.

The vessels and their main engines will be “gas ready”, prepared to be fuelled by either methanol or LNG. DNV GL’s GAS READY notation provides a clear picture of the level of gas fuelled preparedness of a vessel, as well as guidance on the scope of the contemplated work to all involved parties. During the classification process DNV GL will also carry out statutory work on behalf of the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Main particulars:

• Overall length: 212 m
• Breadth: 27.8 m
• Depth: 15.88 m
• Draught (design): 6.4 m
• Class: DNV GL class rules, main class 1A
• Additional class notations: Ferry A, ICE-1C/ICE-1A, BIS, TMON, BWM-T, CLEAN, E0, NAUT-AW, VIBR, Recyclable, COMF(V2), GAS READY(D, MEc)