Stena Line Enhances Irish Sea Freight Fleet with Sustainable Hybrid Vessels

Stena Line has introduced the newly constructed Stena Futura to enhance its freight capacity on the Belfast to Heysham route, a vital trade corridor across the Irish Sea. The 147-meter vessel will conduct 12 weekly sailings, providing direct access for Northern Irish hauliers to the North of England’s extensive road freight network.

Built at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, Stena Futura underwent sea trials in June 2025 before commencing operations. It is the first of a pair of NewMax-class hybrid ferries intended for this route, with its sister ship, Stena Connecta, set to join the service in early 2026. Both vessels are expected to boost capacity on the Belfast–Heysham link by 40% to meet surging freight demand between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

With an emphasis on sustainability, the NewMax series incorporates advanced technologies. Stena Futura is methanol-ready and can utilize battery power and shore energy where possible. Its sister vessel will feature rotor sail technology to further support Stena Line’s commitment to wind-assisted propulsion.

Stena Line representatives hailed the launch of Stena Futura as a significant milestone in their Belfast operations. This initiative is part of an extensive investment exceeding GBP 100 million in the Irish Sea network. Peel Ports Group, which manages Heysham, emphasized that the new ferry aligns with the port’s infrastructure updates aimed at delivering more efficient and environmentally friendly freight services.

As the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, Stena Line’s fleet consists of approximately 40 vessels capable of providing up to 238 sailings each week.

For more information, visit Stena Line.

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