Added some superpowers on the North Sea
In 2012, super ferries Stena Britannica and Hollandica on the North Sea were connected to onshore power.
The green list
Here you will find the big little things that we have done on our journey towards a sustainable future.
No. 9
No. 8
Started collecting data with Fuel Management System
The Fuel Management System, often referred to as FMS, consists of more than 50 onboard sensors and meters, providing detailed information on everything from vessel speed to ventilation-system electricity consumption. The data can then be analyzed by captains and engineers who continuously work on improving the results. Stena Vision on the route between Karlskrona and Gdynia was the first of our vessels to get the upgrade in 2012.
No. 7
Started training our captains in eco-sailing
We educate our captains and bridge officers in efficient sailing, comparable to eco-driving a car. We call it eco-sailing.
No. 69
Made our salad bowls plant-based
Our salad bowls don’t just contain plant-based material, now they’re made of it. Specifically, bagasse, which is a renewable, resource- efficient waste product from the sugar cane industry. That’s one of the big little things we’ve done for a more sustainable future.
No. 68
Let green trucks get ahead
Electric-powered trucks now have priority access onto our freight vessels at the port of Gothenburg. That’s just one of the big little things we have done for a more sustainable future.
No. 67
Reusable plastic bags only
As another step to minimise single use plastic we’re replacing all non-paper bags onboard with reusable plastic bags made from 85 % recycled plastic.
No. 66
ISO certified again!
We’re happy to have been awarded again the latest ISO:14001 certification an international standard for environmental management systems. Since 2018 we have a multi-site certification and now in November, we have been re-certified. This is a guarantee that we continuously improve the environmental performance in the company. By working in a standardised and systematic way, we enable our journey towards sustainable shipping and port operation.
No. 65
Brought the paper bag back
In 2020 we brought the paper bag back as an initiative to reduce the number of plastic bags sold in our shops on board.
No. 64
Tested interactive waste bins
During 2019 we tested interactive, solar-powered waste bins on Stena Danica. The so-called Bigbellys encourage guests to keep the deck and ocean litter-free using sound interaction.
No. 63
Polished all propellers
To save fuel and reduce emission we polish all propellers on our ships once a year to make sure they perform as good as possible. One of the big little things we do for a sustainable future.
No. 62
Sustainable seafood only
Starting 2020 all fish and seafood offered onboard our vessels is either ASC or MSC certified, which means it comes from sustainable sources. Allowing our customers to make more informed choices on menus and buffets. That’s one of the big little things we’ve done for a more sustainable future.
No. 61
No excuse for single use
By replacing plastic straws with paper, we are minimising disposable plastic onboard. That’s one of the big little things we’ve done for a more sustainable future.
No. 60
Powered up our solarpower
Starting in 2019, 788 new solar panels are producing green electricity in Hoek van Holland. On a regular day, 25 percent of all the electricity used by our port and office will be self-produced.
No. 6
Experimented with onboard wind turbines (and failed)
In 2011 we installed two smaller wind turbines on Stena Jutlandica for some extra onboard energy. It turned out the turbines weren’t fit for the harsh environment at sea and the project was cancelled. Although it wasn’t exactly a huge success, that lesson in itself was worth a lot.
No. 59
More battery power at shore
It is not only at sea we work with electrification. We recently added yet another electric car to our land fleet at the port of Masthugget in Gothenburg, 1 of 4 ports where we use electric vehicles. Electric cars are also used in Hoek van Holland/Europoort, Halmstad and Nynäshamn.
No. 58
Replacing tiny packets with big ones
In our efforts to reduce single-use plastic, we are replacing all tiny packets such as ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise on all our vessels with big, refillable disposers instead.
No. 57
Switched plastic cups to plant-based
To minimise single-use plastic we switched from plastic cups to 100 % plant-based cups onboard our vessels.
No. 56
Set a record in material recycling
Our ports have really increased material recycling. Last year 33% of waste plastic, metal, paper and glass was material recycled, while an additional 44% was used for energy recycling. This is an all-time high!
No. 55
Installed more shore power
During 2018 we connected our 14th vessel to green shore-side electricity. By having 14 “connected ships” we reduce CO2 emissions with close to 14,000 tons/year. This is equivalent to the annual emissions of 7,500 passenger cars.
No. 54
Minimized single use plastic
On the Irish- and North Sea, we removed or replaced close to 90 % of all single use plastic products during 2018. Another small step to protect life below water.
No. 53
Started to use AI to save fuel
We have developed an artificial intelligence-model that suggest the most fuel-efficient way to perform each sailing. The model will help our captains and officers to sail smarter and reduce fuel consumption
No. 52
Installed new cooling refrigerants
In 2018 all the cooling refrigerants in fridges and freezes on Stena Jutlandica were replaced with new, more energy efficient and climate friendly products. Just like the old ones, the new cooling refrigerants have zero ozone depletion potential. The big difference lies in the low global warming potential.
No. 51
Became ISO certified
Early 2018 we passed certification for ISO 14001:2015, an international standard for environmental management systems and a tool for the company to improve in the sustainability field.
No. 50
Started pilot testing ultrasonic antifouling
Early 2018 we equipped our first vessel, Stena Hollandica on the Hoek van Holland to Harwich, with ultrasonic transducers on the hull to minimize fouling.
No. 5
Covered quite a lot of windows in solar film
In 2009 we applied solar film to the windows in cabins and public areas on board nine of our vessels. The film is invisible but still shuts out more than 80 % of the radiant heat generated by the sun. At most, the temperature difference can be up to six degrees in areas treated with the film. This reduces pressure on the cooling system on board which in turn lowers fuel consumption.
No. 49
Increased onboard use of Eco-label detergents
We always strive to minimize our impact on marine life, for example by practising safe use of Eco-label detergents on board. We have courses in handling and dosing detergents, as well as using closed dosing systems, making the handling safer for our employees and simultaneously minimizing consumption. In 2018 we doubled the use of Eco-label detergents to 60 %, mainly by making it our new standard on the North Sea and Irish Sea.
No. 48
Installed more scrubbers
In 2018 Stena Scandinavica on the Gothenburg to Kiel route was our sixth vessel to be equipped with closed looped scrubbers, a system that cleans up exhaust gas using sea water.
No. 47
Stopped wasting our food oil
Oil from our kitchens on board is recycled and used for a variety of purposes. In the UK it’s turned into biofuel, while the Scandinavian oil is turned into new raw material for the chemical industry such as soap and plastic.
No. 46
Started pilot testing paper bags
Plastic turned to recycled plastic and recycled plastic turned to sugar canes. In 2018 we started writing yet another chapter for our onboard shopping bags, as paper was taken introduced onboard our ships.
No. 45
Started experimenting with battery power
Early 2018 we kicked off a new battery-power project by installing batteries to Stena Jutlandica on the Gothenburg to Frederikshavn route. Initially the batteries will power the ship’s thrusters, used to maneuver the vessel in to port. The next step is to run our main engines on battery power on short, inshore distances in close proximity to cities. And then who knows? In a not-too-distant future, hopefully this is how our ferries are run altogether.
No. 44
Served better seafood
In order to help preserve wildlife in the ocean we want to make sure all our seafood is caught responsibly. In 2017 the percentage of MSC certified fish served on board was 66 %, steadily nearing the long-term goal.
No. 43
Completed our 300th energy-saving project
Stena Line’s Energy Saving Program (ESP) was launched in 2006 in line with our goal to reduce fuel consumption by 2,5 % per year. Eleven years later, as the main-engine regulators of Stena Scotia were replaced, project number 300 was completed, resulting in an expected annual fuel saving of 3 % on her sailings between the Netherlands and UK.
No. 42
Tried some sweet new packaging
In the process of phasing out plastic food containers on board, we started pilot testing some different alternatives in 2017. One of them is bagasse, a biodegradable by-product from sugar production that when composted turns into soil in only eight weeks.
No. 41
Digitalized our tug masters
In 2017 we connected all light port vehicles digitally to be able to follow, analyze and plan their loading in a more efficient and energy saving way.
No. 40
Switched to green lights
LED lights lower energy consumption by 5 %, have a life span of five years and are also easier to replace. Our vessels, terminals and ports are gradually moving over to such alternatives. In 2017 we changed more than 2,500 light bulbs in the corridors on board the four vessels that sails from Hoek van Holland.
No. 4
Cleaned up our port vehicles
Since 2007, all of our tug masters (vehicles used to load and unload the ship) in Gothenburg run on something called synthetic diesel. This means emissions of nitrogen oxide are drastically lowered compared to ordinary diesel.
No. 39
Lowered sulphur emissions with 15%
In 2017 we started running all of our RoRo vessels on the Irish Sea on low-sulphur fuel, drastically lowering sulphur emissions for our entire fleet.
No. 38
Discovered salt water!
As a way to help minimizing our impact on life below water, we started pilot testing ECA water. This new type of detergent is 100 % chemical free, consisting of water and salt only. Our first vessel to try it was Stena Nautica on the Varberg to Grenaa route in 2017, followed by Stena Danica and Jutlandica the year after.
No. 37
Disposed of our disposable cups
In 2017 all disposable coffee cups on board were replaced with a biodegradable cup made from a combination of paper and corn starch. That’s more than 1,300,000 cups every year, now making a significantly smaller impact on the environment.
No. 36
Plugged in another port
In 2017, Port of Trelleborg in southern Sweden was added to our list of onshore-power sharing ports. This allowed another two of our vessels to turn off their engines in favor of green electricity while in port, making a total of 13 Stena ships now connected to onshore power. It also helped us treduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 12,300 tonnes in 2017.
No. 35
Switched to organic milk
We always aim to use greener and better ingredients in our restaurants and cafés. For example, 100 % of all milk served on board has been organic since 2016.
No. 34
Painted our terminals green
The percentage of green electricity consumed across our terminals is steadily on the rise. In 2018, as much as 92% came from renewable energy sources.
No. 33
Found the balance
Finding the right balance between draught at the bow and the stern will affect the total draught hindering the vessel. By loading Stena Scandinavica to make its bow deeper than the stern, we manage to save up to 7 % fuel on the Gothenburg to Kiel route.
No. 32
Tilted a propeller
Analyzing the Fuel Management System data of Stena Flavia on the Nynäshamn to Ventspils route led to several energy saving changes lowering the fuel consumption and emissions. One of them: a slight tilt of the propeller. Sometimes the smallest things really can make a big difference.
No. 31
Continued to save fuel with FMS
Following the successful pilot test on Stena Vision in 2012, close to our entire fleet has been equipped with the energy saving FMS upgrade. Late 2017, Stena Scotia sailing from The Netherlands to UK was our 28th vessel to be crossed off the list.
No. 30
Introduced bio-plastic bags
Already two years after abandoning our original plastic bags it was time for the next upgrade when all of our onboard bags were replaced by fully recyclable sugar-cane bio-plastic bags. In total we have reduced the number of bags sold onboard with 15%.
No. 3
Pioneered in catalytic converters
Stena Jutlandica was the first ferry in Europe to install catalytic exhaust emission control of sulphur already in 1994. Later similar solutions were installed on both Stena Germanica and Scandinavica to reduce exhausts of nitrogen oxides.
No. 29
Built more bulbous bows
Following the preceding success of URD, five more vessels were modified with new bulbous bows in the years to come, including Stena Scandinavica and Germanica on our Gothenburg to Kiel route, as well as Stena Vision and Spirit frequenting the waters between Gdynia and Karlskrona. In 2016, Stena Danica on the Gothenburg to Frederikshavn route became the last vessel so far to get this fuel-saving modification.
No. 28
Made our first methanol-only ferry trip
On September 23 of 2016 a modified Stena Germanica carried out her maiden voyage on only methanol, putting a new ferry fuel on the map.
No. 27
Saved fuel with new regulators
By changing the regulators of the main engine of Stena Scotia, we managed to lower its fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 3 %. Scotia was our fifth ferry with this solution and surely not the last.
No. 26
Improved cooling on Stena Danica
The cooling system on board Stena Danica on the Gothenburg to Frederikshavn route has been equipped with an engine that runs only when cooling water is needed, thus minimizing electricity consumption and effect on the environment.
No. 25
Took our first steps into solar power
Holyhead Port in Wales is Stena Line’s biggest port with more than 2,900 ships passing every year. In 2016 we installed 768 solar panels on the terminal, garage and shop buildings, providing the port with 164,000 kWh of green energy yearly.
No. 24
Started painting our ships with greener antifouling
Our first vessel to be painted with environmental-friendly silicone antifouling was Stena Carisma in 2005, followed by Stena Saga.
No. 23
Launched SAVE
In 2015 we launched the first version of SAVE, our very own online employee-training program for minimizing energy consumption on board and ashore. Since then more than 3,000 employees have taken the course every year saving several-fold on kilowatt hours and waste.
No. 22
Cruised with control
Speedpilot is an advanced cruise control system that optimizes a ship’s engine effect during a trip, making sure it arrives on time on as little fuel as possible. In 2015 Stena Mersey on the Belfast to Liverpool route was our 14th vessel to be equipped with Speedpilot.
No. 21
All eggs in one basket
As a step on the road to fairer food on board, we took the decision to put all of our eggs in the free-range basket.
No. 20
Drastically lowered sulphur emissions
In 2015 we reduced sulphur emissions on the Baltic and North Sea by 90 %, switching to a new low-sulphur fuel.
No. 2
Switched to TBT free antifouling
Since 1994 all hull antifouling used on Stena Line vessels is TBT free.
No. 19
Started using recycled plastic
In 2015 we swapped the one million yearly plastic bags sold on board for bags made of 80 % recycled plastic.
No. 18
Built the world’s first methanol ferry
Technically, we didn’t really build it. But in 2015 we converted one of our fleet’s largest vessels, the Stena Germanica, to a dual-fuel ferry capable of running on methanol as well as diesel. The methanol emissions consist of mostly water vapor and carbon dioxide, with sulfur particles reduced by 90 % and nitrogen by 60 %.
No. 17
Fine-tuned our cooking routines
In 2015 we launched a project to minimize food waste on board our vessels, initialized on our Gdynia to Karlskrona route and eventually branched out to the rest of our regions. Small changes in the way we handle our food proved to make a big difference. Smaller volumes and frequent refills for the buffet, preparing fewer portions at a time and having more food cooked from scratch were some of the actions taken, leading to a reduction not only in waste but also transports and packaging to the ships.
No. 16
Switched to 100 % Rainforest Alliance certified coffee
Fair to nature, fair to the producers. Since 2015, the million cups of coffee served on board every year are all certified by the Rainforest Alliance.
No. 15
Thought outside the box
Since 2014, Stena Danica is connected to the district heating grid in Gothenburg’s six days a week, all year around. This enables us to contribute in making Gothenburg a more sustainable city with better air quality. The globally unique solution has been awarded best “Out of the box” solution at the Global District Energy Climate Awards.
No. 14
Started counting good sailings
”Good sailings” are trips that depart on time and arrive on time. Simply punctual trips. Since the captain will be able to sail more energy efficiently when on schedule, every good sailing saves fuel. Something that’s been adding up since we first started chasing good sailings.
No. 13
Made our first bulbous bow modification
A bulbous bow is a protruding bulb just below the waterline at the front of a ship. The bulb modifies the way the water flows around the hull, reducing drag and thus increasing speed, stability and fuel efficiency. In 2013 URD on our Baltic routes was our first vessel to be equipped with this modification.
No. 12
Changed to smarter fans
Utilizing cameras and sensors, the fans on the Stena Scandinavica car deck operate more flexibly shutting off when not needed. Less noise and less energy consumed!
No. 11
Microfibre on Stena Nordica
By utilizing microfibre cloths when cleaning we manage to keep the use of detergents to a minimum. The idea first came from a staff member on board the Stena Nordica in 2013 and has now become standard on all Scandinavian vessels.
No. 10
Invented a new fuel
In 2012 a combination of alcohol and ether was pilot tested as fuel for one of our freight ferries, the Stena Scanrail.
No. 1
Started connecting to onshore power
Ships need power on board, even when not at sea. Lighting, fans, pumps and freezers are some examples of equipment that requires constant electrical power from auxiliary engines. By connecting a vessel to onshore power supply while in port, its engines can be turned off in favor of electricity from renewable energy sources. Connecting our ships to onshore power started as a pilot project in the port of Gothenburg in 1990 and proceeded with Karlskrona and Hoek van Holland.