The vessel arrived at Belfast Harbour this week and is scheduled to enter commercial service on 23 January 2026. It joins its sister ship Stena Futura, which has been operating on the same route since October 2025. Together, the two vessels increase freight capacity on the corridor by around 40%.
According to Stena Line, the investment in the two ships exceeds £100 million and reflects rising volumes on the Belfast–Heysham service. In 2025, the route recorded its highest freight volumes in five years, with 113,000 units shipped.
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Focus on freight capacity and efficiency
Stena Connecta is a so-called ‘New Max’ RoRo vessel, designed to maximise freight space within its 147-metre length. It offers 2,848 lane metres and is dedicated primarily to freight, with accommodation for a small number of passengers and a crew of 26.
The ship is equipped with a multi-hybrid propulsion system that allows operation on battery power and supports the use of biofuel and methanol. In addition, it features two 28-metre Norsepower Rotor Sails™, supplied by Norsepower, which are expected to deliver fuel savings of up to 9% on the Irish Sea route. The sister vessel Stena Futura has been built with the option to install similar rotor sails at a later stage.
Paul Grant, Irish Sea North Trade Director at Stena Line, said the two vessels were commissioned in response to increasing customer demand and added that, once fully operational, they will offer up to 24 sailings per week on the Belfast–Heysham service.
