At 147 metres long, Stena Futura is purpose-built to strengthen one of the most important freight corridors linking Northern Ireland with Great Britain. With 12 sailings each week, the vessel will provide much-needed extra space for hauliers moving goods between Belfast and the North of England’s road freight network.
This launch is just the beginning. A second ship in the same class, the Stena Connecta, is currently under construction and is scheduled to join the Belfast–Heysham service in early 2026. Together, the two vessels will boost freight capacity on the route by 40%, ensuring the company can meet rising demand from its customers.
Beyond capacity, these new ferries are designed with the future of sustainable shipping in mind. Both are methanol-ready, and equipped with systems that can make use of battery propulsion and shore power where available. The Stena Connecta will also be delivered “rotor sail ready,” paving the way for the integration of wind-assisted propulsion technologies.
For Stena Line, the arrival of the Stena Futura is not only an investment in capacity, but also a significant step in its long-term sustainability strategy.
Photo by Roy Kim
