A duplex ferritic-austenitic stainless steel alloy provided for seawater applications includes, in weight %: C maximum 0.05; Si maximum 0.8; Mn 0.03-4; Cr 28-35; Ni 3-10%, Mo 1.0-4.0; N 0.2-0.6; Cu maximum 1.0; W maximum 2.0; S maximum 0.010; Ce maximum 0.2; and the balance Fe together with normally occurring impurities and additives, wherein the ferritic content is 30-70 volume %, the alloy composition has a PRE-value higher than 42, and the PRE-value is at least 40 in both the ferritic and austenitic phases. A method is also provided which includes: providing a duplex ferritic-austenitic stainless steel alloy with the above-noted composition, forming a component with the alloy, and contacting the component with seawater. In preferred embodiments, the component comprises at least one of tubes, bars, heavy castings, forging, plates, wire or strip.