AVIC CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard (Weihai, China) recently conducted the launch of a new LNG-fueled ferry, a joint endeavor between Sweden's Stena Line and France's Brittany Ferries.
The shipyard hosted the hull W0278's launching ceremony on October 7th, with representatives from Stena and DNV in attendance.
This vessel (IMO 9946336/Saint-Malo) marks the 11th addition to Stena's E-FLEXER class cruiseferries/RoPax vessels being constructed by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai for Stena RoRo.
Construction of this particular vessel commenced in September 2022. It is destined to serve Brittany Ferries as part of a long-term charter agreement for two ferries, a pact forged with Stena RoRo in 2021.
The upcoming ship will be LNG-powered, with integrated batteries and shore-side power capability.
Anticipated delivery of the initial vessel is slated for July 2024, with the second vessel (IMO 9946324/Guillaume de Normandie) following in January 2025.
These two additions complement Brittany Ferries' LNG-powered ships Salamanca (2022) and Santona (2023).