Stena Connecta arrives in Belfast Harbour as Stena Line invests £100m in freight expansion

Tugboats perform a traditional water salute to mark the arrival of Stena Connecta at Belfast Harbour.

Stena Line has strengthened freight capacity between Northern Ireland and Britain with the arrival of Stena Connecta at Belfast Harbour, marking a major milestone in a £100 million investment programme on the busy Belfast–Heysham route.

The newly commissioned vessel, purpose-built for freight operations in the Irish Sea, is due to enter commercial service on 23 January 2026, further boosting capacity on one of the most strategically important trade corridors between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Stena Connecta joins sister ship Stena Futura, which entered service in October 2025. Together, the two vessels provide an additional 40 per cent freight capacity on the increasingly popular Belfast–Heysham route, reflecting sustained growth in demand from haulage and logistics customers.

Responding to record freight demand

Paul Grant (left), Stena Line Irish Sea North Trade Director, and Belfast Harbour Port Director Michael Robinson welcome Captain Andrius Pakenas of Stena Connecta to Belfast Harbour.

Stena Line has confirmed that the investment was driven by record volumes on the route. In 2025 alone, the company shipped 113,000 freight units between Belfast and Heysham — the highest level recorded in the past five years.

Paul Grant, Stena Line Irish Sea North Trade Director, said:

“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.

“In 2025 our Heysham – Belfast freight service recorded its highest volumes in the last 5 years with 113,000 units being shipped. These vessels were commissioned in response to this increasing customer demand for increased freight capacity on this route.”

He added that early feedback from customers had been encouraging:

“Customer feedback on the recent introduction of Stena Futura has been extremely positive, and I have no doubt Stena Connecta will be equally well received across our customer base.”

Advanced vessels with sustainability at their core

The new Stena Connecta hybrid ferry sits alongside Stena Superfast VII at Belfast Harbour.

Like its sister ship, Stena Connecta is a ‘New Max’ RoRo vessel, designed to maximise freight capacity while reducing environmental impact.

Measuring 147 metres in length with 2,848 lane metres of freight space, the ship uses a multi-hybrid propulsion system capable of operating on battery power, biofuel and methanol.

Uniquely, Stena Connecta is also fitted with two 28-metre Norsepower Rotor Sails™, a wind-assisted propulsion technology designed to cut fuel consumption. The system is expected to deliver up to nine per cent fuel savings on the Irish Sea route between Belfast and Heysham. Stena Futura has also been built ready for future rotor sail installation.

Paul Grant said the new vessels would play a key role in Stena Line’s long-term environmental strategy:

“These vessels 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.”

Strengthening Belfast’s role as a logistics hub

When both vessels are fully operational, Stena Line will offer up to 24 sailings per week on the Belfast–Heysham service, further cementing Belfast’s status as a major logistics and trade hub.

Paul Grant added:

“We are particularly pleased to introduce two of Stena Line’s most advanced vessels to the Irish Sea region further enhancing Belfast’s significance as a key network business hub.”

The arrival of Stena Connecta has also been welcomed by Belfast Harbour, highlighting the long-standing partnership between the port and the ferry operator.

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, which is essential for connecting people and transporting the goods we all rely on.

“Together with Stena Line, we’re connecting the island more reliably than ever and delivering long-term economic benefits for businesses across Northern Ireland.”

Investment on both sides of the Irish Sea

The expansion has also been welcomed at Heysham, where Peel Ports Group has invested £10 million to upgrade port facilities in support of growing freight volumes.

Phillip Hall, Mersey Port Director at Peel Ports Group, said:

“The additional freight capacity marks a very welcome reinforcement of the strong trade links between the UK and Ireland. The Stena Connecta and its sister vessel, the Futura, will also make the Irish Sea shipping corridor even greener.

“The North West of England has always played a big part in this special trade relationship, and we have recognised this with our £10m upgrade of the Port of Heysham, which we hope will continue to support Stena’s operations for years to come.”

Pioneering wind-assisted shipping

The integration of rotor sail technology has been praised by Norsepower, the company behind the system.

Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower, said:

“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.

“We are proud to support Stena Line and Stena RoRo in bringing scalable wind propulsion into everyday commercial operation on the Irish Sea.”

A vital link for trade and everyday life

With Stena Line now operating the largest ferry fleet on the Irish Sea — providing up to 242 weekly sailings across multiple routes — the arrival of Stena Connecta underlines the essential role freight services play in everyday life, from supermarket supplies to manufacturing and construction materials.

For businesses and consumers alike, the new vessel represents not just increased capacity, but a more resilient, greener and future-ready supply chain linking Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Facts: Stena Connecta

• Length: 147 m

• Beam: 26.3 m

• Built: 2023–2025, CMI Shipyard, Weihai, China

• Passenger capacity: 12

• Crew: 26

• Height clearance: 5.3 m

• Width clearance: 12 m

• Freight capacity: 2,848 lane metres

• Route: Belfast – Heysham (approx. 12 sailings per week)