Stena Line on Wednesday (23 September) said it is renewing its fleet and has placed an order for two new hybrid E-Flexer ferries, scheduled to enter service in 2030.

Both vessels will be built at the China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard in China, which has so far built 15 E-Flexers.

The vessels will feature the latest hybrid propulsion technology, allowing them to operate on both conventional fuel and electricity. 

They will also be prepared for conversion to 100% electric operation once the necessary charging infrastructure is in place.

The two RoPax ferries will have capacity for 1,500 passengers and 2,750 lane metres of freight. Designed as day ferries, they are intended to operate on the Gothenburg–Frederikshavn route.

The two new vessels will become the sixth and seventh E-Flexers in Stena Line’s fleet. The first entered service in 2019, and today three E-Flexers operate on the Irish Sea and two between Sweden and Poland.

“This is a historic investment for Stena Line, giving us the opportunity to take further steps towards the sustainable modernisation of our fleet,” said Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.

“The two new ferries will strengthen our customer offering by taking the travel experience to a new level. At the same time, we are future-proofing our own CO₂ reduction targets while preparing for the stricter environmental requirements ahead.”

The vessels currently operating on Stena Line’s Gothenburg–Frederikshavn route, Stena Danica and Stena Jutlandica, have served the route for many years. Stena Danica entered service on the route as early as 1984, while Stena Jutlandica followed in 1996.

Photo credit: Stena Line
Published: 25 September, 2026

Höegh Autoliners on Tuesday (22 September) said it has formally signed a contract with China Merchants Group (CMG) for six additional Aurora class pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). 

The contract was signed during a high-level meeting in Naples attended by senior representatives from both companies, including Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group. Chair of Höegh Autoliners, Leif O. Høegh, and Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners.

The six additional dual-fuel LNG and zero-carbon-ready vessels will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (CMHI) and delivered between 2029 and 2031. 

With 18 Aurora Class vessels in the programme, Höegh Autoliners is building the fleet needed for a zero- emission future and setting the pace for the transformation of deep-sea shipping.

The Aurora Class vessels can carry up to 9,100 cars and reduce carbon emissions per transported car by up to 58 per cent compared with conventional PCTCs. They have DNV’s ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations and are designed to be converted to run on future zero-carbon fuels.

Leif O. Høegh, Chair of the Board of Directors of Höegh Autoliners, said: “For nearly 100 years, we have developed, adapted and led the way through major changes in shipping. It is in our DNA to keep moving and challenge what is possible. This signing continues that story. We are investing in the vessels that will define our fleet for decades and help move our industry towards zero emissions.”

Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, said: “This is not just another vessel-building agreement. It is a statement about the future of deep-sea shipping and the role we intend to play in shaping it. The Aurora Class is at the heart of our fleet renewal and our path to a sustainable future. By expanding the programme to 18 vessels, we are securing efficient, flexible and future-ready capacity while setting the pace towards zero-emission operations.”

Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group, said: “Höegh Autoliners is a pioneer in international shipping and will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. We would like to offer our congratulations in advance! Over the past century, Höegh Autoliners has achieved remarkable development and has grown into a leading company in the global RoRo shipping sector. We truly admire what you have accomplished.”

Photo credit: Höegh Autoliners
Published: 24 September, 2026

Europe’s multimodal logistics providers CLdN on Tuesday (22 September) announced it has placed an order for two new 6,700 lane-metre RoRo vessels with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD Hyundai HI).

Construction of the new vessels is set to begin towards the beginning of 2028, with delivery scheduled for mid-2029. 

“The ships will be the 15th and 16th vessels ordered by CLdN from the South Korean shipbuilder over the past 10 years,” the company said on its website. 

The new vessels will be dual-fuel capable, able to run on standard marine diesel or LNG, and will be built with space reserved for the future addition of larger electric shaft generators and batteries as the technology matures.

While fuel consumption per vessel is expected to be similar to that of CLdN’s existing 5,000 lane-metre class ships, the increased cargo capacity of the new vessels is expected to deliver 30 to 40% better fuel efficiency per tonne-kilometre of cargo carried making the vessels the most fuel-efficient RoRo ships in the world.

The new vessels are designed with one additional deck and increased ground space compared to CLdN’s existing 5,000 lane-metre class ships, with a configuration specifically adapted for trailer cargo. 

“The addition of these vessels to CLdN’s fleet will ensure customers benefit from an even broader range of shipping options via CLdN’s extensive fleet of RoRo and container vessels,” the company said. 

Photo credit: CLdN
Published: 24 September, 2026