Stena RoRo looks at methanol retrofits for its Mak-powered E-Flexer RoPax ferries
Stena RoRo and Caterpillar Motoren are carrying out a pilot project on an Mak-powered E-Flexer RoPax ferry running on green methanol fuel (Source: Stena RoRo)
Gothenburg-based Stena RoRo and Caterpillar Motoren have signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to promote the use of methanol as fuel for its Mak-powered E-Flexer RoPax ferries.
The partners will work together to explore alternative fuel solutions to reduce CO2 from ferry operations. This includes the development and feasibility of converting Mak-powered vessels from diesel to methanol. An initial pilot project will involve an unnamed Stena E-Flexer, powered by Mak VM43 C diesel engines.
Methanol is among a number of fuels being explored as an option to help the maritime industry reduce its environmental footprint. Green methanol derived from renewable sources serves as a cleaner substitute for diesel or traditional fossil fuel-based methanol. It reduces carbon emissions, contributing to sustainability goals and combating climate change.
Some of Stena RoRo’s standard E-Flexers and some of its lengthened versions of the design are powered by Mak main engines. The vessels are:
- Stena Estrid, Stena Edda and Stena Embla, operating on the Irish Sea
- Stena Estrella and Stena Ebba, operating in the Baltic
- Brittany Ferries’ chartered Galicia, operating between Portsmouth and northern Spain
- DFDS’ chartered Cote d’Opale, operating between Dover and Calais
