Stena Connecta, the latest purpose-built freight vessel commissioned by Stena Line for the Irish Sea arrived in Belfast Harbour and will go into commercial service on the Belfast-Heysham route on 23 January 2026.
The ship joins its sister vessel Stena Futura which went into service on the Belfast-Heysham service in October 2025 and together they offer an additional 40% freight capacity on the increasing popular trade route between Northern Ireland and Britain.
Stena Connecta, like Stena Futura, is a ‘New Max’ RoRo ship built for maximised freight capacity, with 2,848 lane metres across its 147-metre length. It uses a multi-hybrid propulsion system enabling the use of battery power, biofuel, and methanol.
Uniquely the Stena Futura has two 28×4 metre Norsepower Rotor Sails™, designed to enhance energy efficiency and could deliver up to 9% fuel savings on its Irish Sea route between Belfast and Heysham. Norsepower is the global market leader in mechanical sails for large ships and the Norsepower Rotor Sail is a modernised, data-driven evolution of the Flettner rotor – a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus Effect to capture wind and deliver clean propulsion. Alongside the aerodynamic hardware, each installation is supported by advanced digital control systems that optimise performance in real time, ensuring the sails operate at peak efficiency in every condition. Stena Futura is also ready for sail installation.
These two vessels represent a significant multi-million pound investment and demonstrates Stena Line’s strong confidence in the continued growth of the Irish Sea region and our continued commitment to strengthening trade and connectivity links.