Stena RoRo has ordered a series of C-Flexer RoRo vessels from China Merchants Industry (CMI) Weihai Shipyard, with the first two units scheduled for delivery in March and June 2029.

The Swedish shipowner has placed a firm order for two vessels, with options for additional units to be delivered at three-month intervals thereafter. The vessels have been designed in collaboration with NAOS Ship and Boat Design.

"With Stena RoRo's extensive experience and market knowledge, combined with NAOS' outstanding expertise in designing fuel-efficient RoRo and RoPax vessels, we have developed ships that are built for today and designed for tomorrow," said Per Westling, CEO of Stena RoRo.

The C-Flexer design features multi-fuel engines and a scalable battery-hybrid system. According to Westling, the vessels are intended to be progressively adapted in line with technological advances and regulatory developments.

"In the future, the C-Flexer will be able to operate entirely on batteries. Until then, the installed diesel-battery hybrid system will provide the necessary flexibility and redundancy for many years to come," Westling said.

The vessels will measure 200 metres in length with a beam of 31 metres and a deadweight of approximately 15,000 tonnes. They will have a design speed of 21 knots and a draught of 7.5 metres. The ships will be available in two configurations — a three-deck version offering 3,400 lane metres and a four-deck version with 4,750 lane metres.

The order marks a continuation of the partnership between Stena RoRo and CMI Weihai Shipyard, which began in 2016. The cooperation has resulted in 17 vessels ordered at the yard to date, with 12 already delivered. These include 15 vessels from the E-Flexer RoPax series and two RoRo vessels from the Stena NewMax concept.

"The cooperation between CMI Weihai and Stena RoRo has been crucial to the success of the RoPax and RoRo concepts delivered so far," Westling said. "It has enabled us to supply both Stena Line, as well as external customers, with tailor-made vessels delivered on time and with very high quality."

Stena RoRo says it leases approximately 15 vessels to operators worldwide, including other Stena companies and third parties. The company specialises in the design and production of new vessels and the conversion and technical operation of existing vessels.

NAOS Ship and Boat Design, established in 1993, specialises in RoRo ships and RoPax ferries. The Italian company heads a group with operations in Italy, Spain, Croatia and Sweden.