Stena chooses MaK for ro-pax ferries

The ferries – among the first to be ordered from a Chinese yard by a European company – will each have a capacity of 3,100 lane meters and 1,000 passengers. Each will be powered by two MaK 12 M 43 C propulsion engines.

Caterpillar will also supply two MPP1500F controllable pitch propellers and two MPP1410F controllable pitch propellers, which can be fully feathered to enable single propeller operation in certain modes.

“This improves vessel flexibility and reduces operating costs while at the same time increases safety on board the vessel” noted Mattias Hansson, engineering manager at Caterpillar’s Marine Solution Center. “The full feathering feature is entirely automatic and selectable via the control system.”

Ulf Hannemann, cruise and ferry segment manager at Caterpillar Marine, added: “By combining a set of proven technologies Caterpillar’s solution will provide Stena Line the most fuel efficient ferries in the world and will set a new industry standard when it comes to operational performance, emissions and cost competitiveness, positioning Stena Line to support its customers in the next decades.”

Stena signed the contract for the new ferries in April, with planned delivery during 2019 and 2020. The contract includes an option for another four vessels.