Stena Bulk Presents Fuel-efficient Tanker Prototype

Swedish shipowner Stena Bulk unveiled a prototype of its next-generation environmentally friendly product and chemical tanker, the IMOFlexMAX, engineered to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25% compared to typical modern product tankers.

The vessel, designed by naval architects at Stena Bulk's sister company Stena Teknik, is a further development of the company's IMOIIMAX design currently in operation, but with several notable additions. The vessels will be equipped with Flettner rotors and solar panels to harvest energy from wind and sunlight. They will be powered by dual-fuel engines that can run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as conventional low-sulfur fuels, but also open the way for further development of alternative fuels.

Stean Bulk says the basic concept of the IMOFlexMax will allow it to dramatically reduce local SOX, NOX and particle emissions, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. The combined fuel and energy efficiencies will reduce greenhouse gases by at least 25% with a potential to reach up to 45% compared to modern product tankers run by low-sulfur fuel oil, it says.

“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,” says Erik Hånell, President & CEO at Stena Bulk.

Stena Bulk's new IMOFlexMax concept incorporates Flettner rotors and solar panels (Image: Stena Bulk)

With IMOFlexMAX vessels, which can be built today with existing and proven technology and other solutions, Stena Bulk says it is taking a major step forward in bringing shipping in compliance with the Paris Agreement and the UN’s Sustainability and Development Goals.

“The plan is for the 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 reduction of greenhouse gases,” Hånell says.

“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.”

(Image: Stena Bulk)