Caterpillar Marine is pleased to congratulate Stena on the success of the recent sea trials of the first E-Flexer ferry with MaK 12 M 43 C and twin-screw Cat Marine Propulsion drive trains with MPP 1410f propellers, shafts and packaged gearboxes. Stena Estrid is the first of Stena RoRo’s nine next-generation Ro-Pax vessels in a series which include five for Stena Line and several additional vessels that will be on long-term charter for other leading ferry operators.
Constructed at the China Merchants Jinling Shipbuilding Weihai Shipyard in China, Stena Estrid measures 215 meters long with 3,100 lane-meters of capacity and along with her sister ships will be some of the most fuel efficient and flexible vessels built of this type and size.
Stena Estrid participated in rigorous sea trials to test the performance of the vessel including all the onboard systems such as the propulsion plants. She made significant speed on two shaft lines as well as on one shaft line and the other in feathering mode. Per Wimby (Stena Teknik) commented, “We did 18,5 knots using only one engine which exceeded our expectations".
Caterpillar Marine is proud to have been entrusted to work closely with Stena’s newbuilding team to supply main engines and propulsion packages for Stena Estrid and so far, six of her sisters in this prestigious new series. Together with Deltamarin, Stena and the yard in Weihai, the companies created a very efficient total propulsion solution. It was determined that the MaK 12 M 43 C and feathering Cat Propulsion MPP 1410f Propellers would be the perfect match for this vessel and this package was then further optimized in collaborative extensive simulations and model test work in order to push performance as high as possible.
Per Wimby, Project Manager (hydro dynamics) Stena Teknik:
“After a long period of optimization and testing with CMH/Deltamarin, MARIN and Caterpillar we now see the final product which is the most efficient ship in Stenas history.”
Janne Uotila, MD Deltamarin Ltd: “One of the key principles of Deltamarin designs has always been energy efficiency. Nowadays, due to environmental reasons and stricter regulations even more so and this project is a good example of this. It is a result of close cooperation with Stena and Caterpillar in early stage of the development. All in all this is a great achievement and a benchmark for how close collaboration between all parties (STENA-CMH-DM-CAT) can lead to fantastic results.”
Mattias Hansson, Solutions Manager, Caterpillar Marine: “The open professional collaboration between all parties, from day 1 throughout the process, has been key to success.”
With a maximum output range of 12,600 kW (17,136 mhp), the MaK 12 M 43 C engine provides reliable power and performance. Developed to meet the requirements of the cruise and ferry markets, this new engine series is the breakthrough into a new class of power. Coupled with the patented feathering Caterpillar controllable pitch propellers and the ability to optimize the whole package under one supplier it creates a very efficient solution for this vessel type. Compared to other similar ferries, this vessel is very fuel-efficient and was according to Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) the best model ever tested in its class. The Cat Marine Propulsion solution perfectly matches the engine characteristics, vessel design, and is optimised in the flexible speed ranges that Stena Estrid and her sisters are expected to operate.
When commenting on the design of the new ro-pax vessel, Per Westling, managing director of Stena RoRo, stated, “the MaK engines we have are extremely fuel-efficient and require little maintenance".
Stena Estrid has commenced her journey to the Irish Sea where she will begin service early next year on her inaugural route from Dublin to Holyhead. Caterpillar Marine looks forward to the continued relationship with Stena and Deltamarin, providing solutions to power the next generation of environmentally-friendly and efficient vessels.
We wish her fair winds and following seas en route to Holyhead and many successful years of operation.
