The green list

In 2012, super ferries Stena Britannica and Hollandica on the North Sea were connected to onshore power.

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.

We educate our captains and bridge officers in efficient sailing, comparable to eco-driving a car. We call it eco-sailing.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our first vessel to be painted with environmental-friendly silicone antifouling was Stena Carisma in 2005, followed by Stena Saga.

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.

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.

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.

In 2015 we reduced sulphur emissions on the Baltic and North Sea by 90 %, switching to a new low-sulphur fuel.

Since 1994 all hull antifouling used on Stena Line vessels is TBT free.

In 2015 we swapped the one million yearly plastic bags sold on board for bags made of 80 % recycled plastic.

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 %.

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.

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.

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.

”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.

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.

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!

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.

In 2012 a combination of alcohol and ether was pilot tested as fuel for one of our freight ferries, the Stena Scanrail.

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.