Stena Line milestone with Futura launch

The twin ceremonies, held at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, marked critical phases in the construction of Stena Line’s new generation of RoRo ferries, which will significantly increase freight capacity on the Belfast-Heysham route.

Once operational, the Stena Futura and Stena Connecta will boost Stena Line’s freight capacity by 40% along this key route, responding to growing demand for services between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Scheduled for deployment starting in autumn 2025, the NewMax vessels are poised to offer a seamless, high-capacity freight solution to customers across the Irish Sea.

Built with hybrid technologies, both Stena Futura and Stena Connecta will have the capability to run on methanol fuel, and the vessels are designed to integrate battery propulsion and shore power where infrastructure permits. This multi-hybrid approach aligns with Stena Line’s commitment to cut CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable maritime solutions.

In addition to methanol readiness, the vessels have been designed to leverage the latest in green technology, including the potential to operate on biofuel as part of Stena Line’s continued work with methanol suppliers to ensure sustainable fuel sources. CEO Niclas Mårtensson underscored the strategic importance of the NewMax vessels in a statement, saying, “These new vessels are the first RoRo ships equipped with a multi-hybrid solution, enabling them to operate on battery, biofuel, and methanol. This not only complies with upcoming regulations but also reduces our CO2 emissions, aiding our customers in achieving their scope 3 targets.”

Mårtensson further noted the significance of the increased freight capacity that the NewMax vessels will bring to the Belfast-Heysham route: “Stena Futura and Stena Connecta will provide a crucial link across the Irish Sea, meeting the continued growth and demand from freight customers on this route. We’re confident that the increased capacity will be well-received by the market when we welcome Stena Futura to the Irish Sea in Autumn 2025.”