Finnish technology group Wartsila has clinched a contract to convert “some” Stena Line ferries to methanol fuel.
The group said the deal will accelerate the Swedish operator’s drive to cut emissions.
The number of ships to be retrofitted has not been specified
Wartsila told TradeWinds it and Stena will release further details at a later date.
The group said the work would give Stena “unmatched fuel flexibility, thus marking an important milestone in Stena Line’s journey towards becoming a leader in sustainable shipping.”
The conversions will include the fuel supply system and engine modifications, as well as integrating the new installations with the ships’ existing systems.
The ferries will enter shipyards in 2025.
Methanol fuel will enable the ropaxes to be compliant with various existing and upcoming regulations, including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), FuelEU Maritime, and IMO 2050 greenhouse gas reduction target.
“As we continue to implement our strategy to decarbonise all our operations, we see methanol as a viable alternative fuel that will help us achieve this ambition,” said Stena Line spokesman Ian Hampton.
“Wartsila has proven its capabilities to carry out the necessary conversions. This was shown eight years ago when they converted the Stena Germanica to operate with methanol, and our experience from this ground-breaking innovation has been very positive,” he added.
Close cooperation
The full scope of Wartsila’s work will include fuel tank instrumentation and valves, transfer pumps, a low-pressure pump skid, fuel valve trains, methanol fuel pump units and the automation of the system, engine conversions, and automation upgrade for the engine control room.
“We have had close cooperation with Stena Line for many years and we are pleased to be supporting them again in this important conversion project,” said Wartsila marine power president Roger Holm.
“Like Stena Line, Wartsila is committed to making decarbonised shipping operations a reality, and we have invested heavily in developing our engine portfolio to be capable of utilising carbon neutral and zero carbon fuels,” he added.
Last month, Stena Line announced it was building two new methanol-powered ferries for UK voyages.
The 2,800-lane-metre "NewMax" ropaxes will be 80% bigger than current vessels and are due in service in the autumn of 2025.
Stena said it is working closely with methanol suppliers and has secured future volumes of the green fuel.
The intention is to shift to renewable bunkers and cut 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030.
