Marine Atlantic’s new dual-fuel battery hybrid ferry was launched in China on 28 March. The as yet unnamed vessel, currently only known by its yard number W0279, is expected to be delivered in 2024.
The new ferry is based on Stena’s proven E-Flexer platform, but is the shortest vessel in the class to date at 202.9m long. At the time of writing, nine E-Flexer vessels have already been delivered, all of which have been around 215m or 240m in length.
Marine Atlantic’s E-Flexer will be the first example in a third generation of the class which incorporates battery hybrid technology. She will have capacity for for around 1,000 passengers with space for 2,571 lane metres of vehicles including 476 lane metres dedicated to private cars
W0279 has taken shape at a rapid pace, with steel cutting beginning last May and keel laying taking place at the end of October.
Two further E-Flexer ferries are scheduled to be delivered after the Marine Atlantic ferry. SAINT-MALO and an as yet unnamed part-sister will be built to a shorter length of 194.7m for Brittany Ferries. The second mentioned vessel is widely reported to be receiving the name GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE, something not yet officially confirmed.
The pair, which are being built for Brittany Ferries’ Portsmouth to Saint-Malo and Caen services, will each incorporate battery packs providing 11.3 MWh of energy. This means that they will have the largest battery installations of any ferry in the world when completed in 2024/5.
P&O Ferries’ new flagship, P&O PIONEER, which arrived in UK waters for the first time last week, currently has the largest battery installation of any ship in the world at 8.8MWh. This will be eclipsed by the 10MWh installation on Scandlines new hybrid freight ferry when it is delivered in 2024.
New Marine Atlantic Ferry vs Brittany Ferries’ Saint-Malo
| Marine Atlantic | Brittany Ferries (St. Malo) | |
| E-Flexer No | 10 | 11 |
| Length | 202.9m | 194.7m |
| Breadth | 27.8m | 27.8m |
| Passengers | 1,000 (plus approx. 100 crew) | 1,290 |
| Cabins | 146 (plus 40 sleeping pods) | 386 |
| Vehicle Space | 2 571 lane metres(including 476 lane metres for private cars) | 2,377 lane metres(including 176 lane metres for private cars) |
| Propulsion | Diesel/LNG hybrid | Diesel/LNG hybrid |
| Steel cutting started | May 2022 | September 2022 |
| Delivery | Early 2024 | Late 2024 |
Please note that these details are provisional and may be subject to change.
