Ferry and logistics provider Stena Line to run electric ship

European logistics company Stena Line has confirmed its initiative to test environment-friendly shipping vessels, the Handy Shipping Guide reports. This is after signing a contract with Swedish electric energy company, Callenberg Technology Group. Callenberg is known for manufacturing batteries for ocean liners years. One of these batteries will be put to the test once installed in Stena Line’s vessel, Stena Jutlandica.

The battery is expected to fuel the vessel long enough to make the voyage between the ports in Gothenberg, Sweden, and in Frederiskshavn, Denmark. The yoyage is expected to last 50 nautical miles, a route normally taken by Stena Jutlandica using conventional fuel. But with Stena Line’s plan to shift to cleaner sources of energy, they have started aiming for operations dependent on cleaner sources of energy.

The changeover will take place in steps. The first step will switch the energy source of the bow thrusters to the new batteries. The batteries will be used to help the vessel berth in port. The next step will use the extended battery connected to the propellers to move the vessel from Goteborg and Vinga Lighthouse, traversing about 10 nautical miles in the process. The final step will utilize the battery to its full extent in navigating the 50 nautical miles needed to reach the Port of Frederikshavn. Thus turning the Stena Jutlandica into an electricity-powered vessel that connects the Swedish and Danish ports.

“Sustainability is very high on our agenda and we are constantly evaluating new ways to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Stena Line’s CEO Niclas Martensson.

The decision to test electric batteries kicked off once the company picked Stena Jutlandica. Martensson added, “As both the size and cost of batteries decrease, battery operation becomes a very exciting alternative to traditional fuels for shipping, as emissions to air can be completely eliminated.” Stena Line currently has 38 vessels, a fleet that the company hopes to run on alternative sources of fuel based on results that have yet to come out from the Stena Jutlandica initiative.

Stena Line worked with its sister company, maritime solutions provider Stena Teknik, to develop the marine technology compatible with green energy. Stena Teknik worked with academics and regulators to come up with ways to make the Stena Jutlandica work in an environmentally friendly way. With funding from the European Union and the Swedish Maritime Administration, the project found a way to test the vessel under the parameters of plug-in hybrid technology.

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