Stena Line has deployed its second purpose-built freight vessel on the Belfast–Heysham route, with Stena Connecta entering commercial service on 23 January 2026.

The vessel joins its sister ship Stena Futura, which began operating on the route in October 2025. Together, the two vessels provide an additional 40% freight capacity on the service, according to the company.

Stena Connecta is a 147-metre New Max RoRo vessel with 2,848 lane metres of freight capacity. It is equipped with a multi-hybrid propulsion system enabling operation on battery power, biofuel and methanol. The vessel is also fitted with two Norsepower Rotor Sails measuring 28 metres by 4 metres, which Stena Line said could deliver up to 9% fuel savings on the Belfast–Heysham route.

Paul Grant, Stena Line Irish Sea North Trade Director, said the company had invested more than £100m in the two vessels: "Our significant investment in Stena Connecta and Stena Futura, more than £100m, demonstrates our strong confidence in the continued growth of the Irish Sea region and our commitment to strengthening trade and connectivity links."

Grant noted that the Heysham-Belfast freight service recorded its highest volumes in five years during 2025, with 113,000 units shipped. He added, "These vessels were commissioned in response to this increasing customer demand for increased freight capacity on this route."

When both vessels are operational, the service will offer up to 24 sailings per week, according to Stena Line.

Grant said the ships "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."

Michael Robinson, Port Director at Belfast Harbour, said: "We're excited to welcome the second of Stena Line's new hybrid vessels, Stena Connecta, to Belfast Harbour. Coming so soon after last year's celebration of 30 years of Stena Line in Belfast and the launch of sister ship Stena Futura, this arrival underlines the strength of our partnership."

Phillip Hall, Mersey Port Director at Peel Ports Group, noted that the additional freight capacity "marks a very welcome reinforcement of the strong trade links between the UK and Ireland." He added that Peel Ports had invested £10m in upgrading the Port of Heysham.

Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower, commented: "Stena Connecta is a strong example of how forward-looking vessel design can combine operational efficiency with tangible emissions reductions. By integrating Norsepower Rotor Sails alongside hybrid propulsion and alternative fuel readiness, Stena Line is demonstrating a practical, data-driven approach to decarbonising short-sea shipping."

Stena Connecta was built between 2023 and 2025 at CMI Shipyard in Weihai, China. The vessel has a passenger capacity of 12 and a crew of 26. Stena Line said Stena Futura is also ready for rotor sail installation.

Stena Line operates around 40 vessels across 19 routes in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, carrying out approximately 34,700 sailings each year. On the Irish Sea, the operator runs up to 242 sailings per week, including combined passenger and freight services between Belfast and Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin and Holyhead, and Rosslare and Fishguard, as well as freight-only routes linking Belfast with Heysham and Dublin with Liverpool.