Stena Line’s Stena Futura, the first of its new hybrid ferries destined for the Irish Sea, has completed its sea trials. The vessel is on schedule to enter service on the Belfast-Heysham route in late summer.
Sea trials are designed to test the vessel at sea to demonstrate the proper function of the ship to ensure that all systems are fully operational and in line with agreed specifications. The tests include areas such as engine performance and endurance, fuel consumption, navigation and radio equipment, emergency systems, speed tests, manoeuvrability, engine and thruster tests as well as safety tests.
Once operational, the Stena Futura and sister ship Stena Connecta will enhance freight capacity by forty per cent on the Belfast-Heysham route in response to an increase in customer demand for services between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
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Battery propulsion and shore power
The two hybrid vessels will play a key role in Stena Line’s sustainability journey. They will be enhanced with built in technologies that will be able to utilise both battery propulsion and shore power, when available.
Niclas Martensson, CEO of Stena Line: ‘The Irish Sea region continues to be a booming market for Stena Line, and the significant boost these ships will provide to our freight capacity on the popular Belfast–Hesham route will be welcomed by the market. These vessels represent a crucial step in our broader sustainability journey. By integrating battery propulsion and shore power capabilities, we are making significant strides towards our goal of reducing CO2 emissions by thirty per cent by 2030.’
Picture by Stena Line.
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