Heavy Lift Award winner

At Stena Line our drive towards environmental sustainability is at the core of everything we do. It runs throughout our operations from our board, shore offices, ports and terminal and, of course, our vessels. Our Green List outlines all the steps we have taken to make us more environmentally friendly; currently listing 67 initiatives dating back to 1990, the list will continue to grow as we increase our ever-expanding programme of environmental initiatives.

The main focus our sustainability programme involves our drive to be carbon zero and completely fossil free by 2050. There are four main Areas of Action we are using to attempt to reach this ambitious target ahead of time.

One of the primary actions is to further explore alternative fuel. When cutting down emissions, it all comes down to using better fuel and less fuel. When addressing better fuel – biomethanol, hydrogen and fuel cells are some of the options Stena Line is looking into. When exploring alternative fuels, it’s important to be open to options that might become more viable in the future.

We have developed the successful dual fuel methanol conversion of the Stena Germanica. This methanol powered vessel  has been running for 5 years between Sweden and Germany.

The third area of action is behaviour change. To make a difference, all people involved need to think and act differently. Collaboration between ship and shore is key to increasing punctuality and finding new ways to operate ships more efficiently, which will have a greater effect on fuel consumption. To further aid its captains and crews Stena Line is developing tools to support them in making better decisions.

One of them is the AI assisted Stena Fuel Pilot, which is currently rolling out across  our fleet and has the potential to cut fuel consumption by up to five percent per trip.

The technology controls the speed of vessel and adjusts in relation to external factors such as tides, the depth of water and wind. This has ensured significant fuel savings and reduced emissions of up to 5%.

Combining data, algorithms and technology with both the experience and competence from our crew we can leverage optimal efficiency via the Stena Fuel Pilot.

The lifetime of a vessel can be decades long, which makes modernising difficult. Therefore, upgrading and improving our fleet is key to reducing emissions and ensuring our ferries are as modern and fuel efficient as possible. Part of the solution has been for the company to  invest in developing its own cutting-edge vessels costing hundreds of millions of pounds. Our new E-Flexer ferries run on 25% less fuel. Five new vessels have been built, or are in the process of being built. Since January 2020 the first three E-Flexers have are already commenced operation on the busy Irish Sea routes. Two further larger E-Flexers are currently being built and will be deployed next year in order to replace older vessels.

Switching to zero carbon power is a major cornerstone of our sustainability drive. Electrification is key, from shore power, hybrid vessel and ground-breaking fully electric ferries.

14 of our ferries are now connected to green energy shore power when they are berthed in port. This has reduced the need for engine power in the ports, improved the air quality and reduced emissions.

We also work with other stakeholders on joint projects of significance, which are aimed at increasing the drive towards sustainability. The TranZero project with the Port of Gothenburg is one, in conjunction with Volvo and Scania, to jointly reduce emissions in the port area by 55,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, generated from one million truck transports, equal to 70% a reduction by 2030.

Repurposing older vessels to adapt to electric power has been a major initiative. In 2019 Stena Jutlandica was fitted with a 1MWH battery pack to power the ship’s thrusters when they are manoeuvring in the ports of Gothenburg and Frederikshavn, where it operates. Helping to reduce emissions and improve air quality further.

We are developing one of the most ambitious environmental projects in history. What will be a truly ground-breaking achievement, the development of the world’s first fully electric passenger and freight ferry – Stena Elektra. The first emission-free fully operational international ferry, Stena Elektra will be completely battery powered and emission free. Set to sail 50 nautical miles the 215 metre vessel will have the capacity to power 1,200 passengers along with 700 cars or 160 trucks or trailers across the Kattegat from Sweden to Denmark.

The success of these measures have meant that we are now 10 years ahead of International Maritime Organisation targets for the reduction of shipping emissions. However it is only the beginning. Last year we stepped up our environmental aims further; in the 10 years leading up to 2030 we have instigated what we have called a ‘decade of action’. By end of the 2020s we aim to have cut our carbon emissions by a further 30%.

With a traditional industry like shipping change can often be slow and difficult to make. To be successful it takes a concerted effort at every level of the organisation and it takes a strong vision. The bigger aims and longer term  projects like Stena Elektra need to be coupled with shorter-term wins, like our Green List and medium-term goals, like cleaner fuels, shore power, and battery hybrids. Together they all combine to ensure we can go above and beyond our own and maritime sectors carbon reduction emissions in the drive to be carbon zero in 2050 and hopefully before.