Stena Line has officially named its newest vessel, the Stena Connecta, at the CMI Shipyard in Weihai, China, marking another step forward in the company’s low-emission fleet expansion.
The freight-focused ferry, due to begin regular service on the Belfast–Heysham route in January 2026, will operate alongside the Stena Futura, which joined the route in September.
Together, the two vessels will increase freight capacity by 40%.
Designed with sustainability in mind, Stena Connecta features a multi-hybrid propulsion system allowing operation on battery power, biofuel, and methanol.
It is also equipped with two Norsepower Rotor Sails measuring 28 x 4 metres, which are expected to cut fuel consumption by up to 9% on the Irish Sea route.
“Our investment in Stena Connecta and Stena Futura demonstrates our strong confidence in the continued growth of the Irish Sea region and our commitment to strengthening trade and connectivity. These vessels were commissioned as a direct response to customer demand for increased freight capacity on our routes,” said Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.
The vessel will soon depart from China for Belfast, where final preparations will take place before entering service early next year.
