Stena Line’s newest vessel, ‘Stena Connecta’, has been officially named at the CMI Shipyard in Weihai, China, and will soon begin the maiden voyage to its new home port on the Irish Sea.
Alongside Stena Futura, which entered service in September 2025, these two new freight ferries will boost capacity by 40% on the Belfast–Heysham route.
Stena Line CEO Niclas Mårtensson said: “It is with great pride that we celebrate yet another milestone for our fleet and our company today. Stena Connecta and her sister vessel represent the very latest in maritime technology and will not only play a crucial role in maintaining essential transport links in Ireland and the UK but also make a significant contribution to our sustainability goals of reducing CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030.”
Stena Connecta is a New Max ro-ro ship built for maximised freight capacity, with 2,800 lane metres across its 147m length. It uses a multi-hybrid propulsion system enabling the use of battery power, biofuel, and methanol and has two 28m x 4m Norsepower rotor sails that can save up to 9% in fuel on its Irish Sea route between Belfast and Heysham. Sister vessel Stena Futura was delivered ready for future sail installation.
Stena Line says it is the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, with a fleet of 13 vessels (including Stena Connecta, which will enter service in January 2026). The company operates up to 238 weekly sailings, offering a network of routes that includes combined passenger and freight services from Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead, and Rosslare to Fishguard, as well as dedicated freight routes from Belfast to Heysham and Dublin. 2025 marks 30 years of Stena Line operations on the Irish Sea.
Mårtensson said: “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.”
Stena Connecta will soon begin her delivery voyage from China to the Irish Sea, a journey expected to take several weeks. She will enter regular service on the Belfast–Heysham route from January 2026.
Image:‘Stena Connecta‘ naming ceremony in China (source: Stena Line)
