Arrival of Stena Connecta marks next phase of expansion on Northern Ireland–Great Britain corridor
Stena Connecta, the latest purpose-built freight RoRo vessel commissioned by Stena Line for operations in the Irish Sea, has arrived at Belfast Harbour and will enter commercial service on the Belfast–Heysham route on 23 January 2026.
The RoRo vessel joins sister ship Stena Futura, which began operating on the same route in October 2025. Together, the two ships deliver a 40% increase in freight capacity, supporting growing demand on the increasingly popular trade corridor between Northern Ireland and Great 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.
