Stena Line has officially named its newest vessel, Stena Connecta, at the CMI Shipyard in Weihai, China, with the ferry set to begin operations on the Belfast-Heysham route from January 2026.

The 147-metre vessel features multi-hybrid propulsion technology that enables the use of battery power, biofuel, and methanol. It is also equipped with two 28x4 metre Norsepower Rotor Sails that the company claims can save up to 9% in fuel consumption on its Irish Sea route.

Stena Connecta will join its sister vessel, Stena Futura, which entered service in September, with both ferries expected to increase freight capacity by 40% on the Belfast-Heysham route. The vessel offers 2,800 lane metres of freight capacity across its length.

"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 percent by 2030," said Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.

The naming ceremony was attended by Mårtensson, members of the company's executive team, and Stena AB owner Dan Sten Olsson.

Stena Line operates 13 vessels on the Irish Sea, providing up to 238 weekly sailings across various routes including combined passenger and freight services from Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead, and Rosslare to Fishguard, as well as dedicated freight routes.

The company, which has been operating on the Irish Sea for 30 years, says the new vessels as a direct response to customer demand for increased freight capacity.

"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," Mårtensson added.

Stena Connecta will now begin its delivery voyage from China to the Irish Sea, a journey expected to take several weeks.

The ferry will operate approximately 12 sailings per week on the Belfast-Heysham route once it enters regular service.