Today our fleet consists of 72 vessels of different types and sizes. In broad outline, the fleet is divided into two groups: The MAX vessels and other tankers (such as Panamaxes, Aframaxes and S-47s). No matter what vessel type it is, there is one accurate description that is valid for all ships in our fleet: Innovation and Performance.
Stena Victory. V-MAX is a ship design where relatively small changes increase cargo intake by 20-40% compared with conventional VLCCs, and by 70-100% compared with Suezmax tankers.
The MAX concept
The idea to build the MAX concept started with the need for vessels to be able to operate in waters and ports with draft limitations. Through the MAX concept we made it possible to enter shallow waterways, and at the same time we increased loading capacity to substantially more cargo than previously possible. In addition, safety was considerably improved.
The key is vessels that are much wider than other in the same size class. Their larger beam gives them a larger loading capacity without affecting their draft. And through double systems for propulsion and manoeuvring proactive safety measures are taken.
In 2001, we took delivery of the first two Stena V-MAX vessels. They made up the beginning of a new wide-body product line. Today the MAX series consists of three different types of vessels (V-MAX, P-MAX and C-MAX), and more are under development.
Other tankers
Ships classified as Panamax have a capacity of up to 75,000 dwt, which is the maximum dimension for passage through the locks of the Panama Canal. Our fleet includes both traditional double-hull Panamax tankers and several in-house designed Stena Ice-Panamaxes. With their ice-class, these vessels provide safe passage through narrow waters from the Baltic Sea to both the US east and west coasts.
Aframax ships are oil tankers with capacities between 80,000 and 120,000 dwt. Our fleet includes both traditional Aframax tankers and several in-house designed Stena Ice-Aframaxes, built to navigate the Baltic Sea, even in extreme conditions with up to a metre thick ice (ice class 1A Super).
The S-47 is a Middle Range (MR) Product and Chemical tanker in worldwide service with a capacity of 47,200 dwt.