Stena Bulk unveils solar and rotor sail tanker design

Stena Bulk’s IMOFlexMAX is a development of its current IMOIIMAX design; equipped with Flettner rotors and solar panels to harvest energy from wind and sunlight. The tankers will be powered by efficient dual-fuel engines that can run on LNG as well as conventional low-sulphur fuels using the latest available engine technology. The aim is to be best in class in terms of performance with a design based on two major objectives – flexibility and efficiency.

“The plan is for IMOFlexMAX vessels to be deployed in Stena Bulk’s logistics system in the global market along with the IMOIIMAX. The IMOFlexMAX vessels will constitute an important asset for Stena Bulk, as well as for its partners, in strengthening our position as the market-leading, cross-trading specialists in the MR segment with increased efficiency and reduced greenhouse gases.

The prototype is one step further in Stena Bulk’s vision of being our customers’ first choice for safety, innovation and performance in the transportation of oil, chemicals and gas,” said Stena Bulk president and chief executive officer Erik Hånell.

The basic concept of the IMOFlexMAX is to dramatically reduce local SOx, NOx and particle emissions, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. With the combined fuel and energy efficiencies, Stena Bulk expects to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 25% with a potential to reach up to 45% compared to modern product tankers run by low-sulphur fuel oil.

Stena Bulk has been testing biofuel from GoodFuels. In March, Stena Immortal received the first delivery of biofuel oil during its call at the Port of Rotterdam. Over the course of the trial, biofuel was tested in tanks, storage and burned in the engines.

The IMOFlexMAX has been designed by naval architects at sister company Stena Teknik and is based on 40 years of tanker shipping experience. From hull design to vessel propulsion, these ships will incorporate the latest technology, states Stena Bulk – setting a new standard for the global tanker industry.

The design will also open the way for further development of alternatives with consideration to trade lanes and customers’ expectations.

“The world’s need for reliable, innovative and sustainable transportation of liquid products is increasing and it will continue to do so as the world’s population grows and global living standards continue to improve,” said Mr Hånell.