Stena Bulk is presenting a prototype of the next-generation product and chemical tanker - the IMOFlex, which will be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25% compared to modern product tankers, the company said in its release.
The vessel, designed by Stena Bulk to meet the current and future needs of liquid bulk shipping, is a further development of our current IMOIIMAX design; best in class in terms of performance and with a design based on two major objectives - flexibility and efficiency.
"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 has been designed by world-class naval architects at sister company Stena Teknik and is based on 40 years of tanker shipping experience. 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 harvest energy from wind and sunlight. They will be powered by efficient dual-fuel engines that can run on LNG as well as conventional low-sulfur fuels using today's newest technology, but also open the way for further development of alternatives with consideration to trade lanes and customers' expectations.
The basic concept of the IMOFlexMax will allow us to dramatically reduce local SOX, NOX and particle emissions, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. With the combined fuel and energy efficiencies, it will be able to 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.
With IMOFlexMAX vessels, which can be built today with existing and proven technology and other solutions, Stena Bulk is taking a major step forward in bringing shipping in compliance with the Paris Agreement and the UN's Sustainability and Development Goals.
With offices in seven countries, STENA BULK is one of the world's leading tanker shipping companies. The company controls a combined fleet of around 115 tankers. Stena Bulk is part of the Stena Sphere, which has more than 20,000 employees and annual sales of 8 billion USD.