- Stena Bulk is presenting a prototype of the next-generation product and chemical tanker, the IMOFlexMAX.
- The vessel will be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25% compared to modern product tankers.
- The vessel is designed by Stena Bulk to meet the current and future needs of liquid bulk shipping and boasts of the IMOIIMAX design.
- IMOFlexMAX will lead the way towards a sustainable future as one of the most energy-efficient product and chemical tankers on the market.
Stena Bulk presents a prototype of the next-generation product and chemical tanker – the IMOFlexMAX, reads the company’s press release.
The tanker combines a dual-fuel LNG engine with renewable energy generation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 25% compared with modern product tankers.
IMOIIMAX design
IMOFlexMAX design is intended to set a new benchmark in product and chemical tanker flexibility and efficiency, in order to meet the current and future needs of liquid bulk shipping. The design represents an evolution of Stena Bulk’s current IMOIIMAX design, which offers best in class performance.
“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.
IMOFlexMAX will lead the way towards a sustainable future as one of the most energy efficient product and chemical tankers on the market. It has been designed by world-class naval architects at sister company Stena Teknik and is based on 40 years of tanker shipping experience.
Modern energy management system
From hull design to vessel propulsion, these ships will incorporate the latest technology, setting a new standard for the global tanker industry. The vessels will be equipped with Flettner rotors and solar panels to generate energy from wind and sunlight.
It is understood that the vessel will also incorporate a modern energy management system to maximise the fuel efficiencies offered by incorporating renewable energy generation aboard the vessel.
- The vessels will be powered by the latest most efficient dual-fuel engines that can run on LNG as well as conventional low-sulphur fuels.
- The dual-fuel engines will also be compatible with other alternative fuels in the future, again offering greater flexibility in terms of trade routes and customers’ expectations.
Considerable emission reductions
Hånell noted that the IMOFlexMax design would dramatically reduce local SOX, NOX and particle emissions, and that initial greenhouse gas reductions of at least 25% compared with modern product tankers operated on low-sulphur fuel oil could eventually reach up to 45%.
“The plan is for the IMOFlexMAX vessels to be deployed in Stena Bulk’s logistics system in the global market along with the IMOIIMAX,” he added.
He also said, “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.”
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Source: Stena Bulk
