Swedish ferry and shipping company Stena Line has taken another step in its fleet modernization by signing a letter of intent with China Merchant Industries for the construction of up to six new cargo Ro-Ro vessels.
The new C-Flexer class will be larger than the current models, offering between 3,000 and 4,700 lane meters and featuring engines ready for future fuels as well as an expandable hybrid battery system. The design builds on Stena’s successful E-Flexer and New Max series, with improved energy efficiency and lower emissions.
“These ships will be built for today and designed for tomorrow,” said Per Westling, CEO of Stena RoRo, noting that the company aims to ensure long-term sustainability across its operations.
The announcement follows the recent naming of Stena Connecta on October 16 at CMI Shipyard in Weihai, China. The vessel, scheduled to enter service in January 2026 on the Belfast–Heysham route, is a New Max Ro-Ro equipped with hybrid propulsion and Norsepower Rotor Sails, enabling up to nine percent fuel savings.
With these investments, Stena strengthens its position as a leader in sustainable maritime transport and highlights the continued cooperation between Sweden and China’s shipbuilding industry.
Source: The Maritime Executive
