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The Stena Line held the naming ceremony for its newest NewMax hybrid Ro-Ro vessel, the 'Stena Connecta', at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai on Oct 16. The vessel was built for the Belfast–Heysham route, due to enter regular service in January 2026. It is the sister ship to the 'Stena Futura', which entered service in September 2025, and together the two new buildings are intended to boost freight capacity on the route by around 40%. The 'Stena Connecta' offers approximately 2,848 lane metres of freight capacity. Its propulsion system is multi-hybrid, designed to run on battery power, bio-fuel and methanol, and it is fitted with two Norsepower Rotor Sails that can achieve up to 9% fuel savings on its Irish Sea operations. The ferries will be contributing to the company’s target of reducing CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030. At the same time Stena RoRo has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the China Merchant Industries Weihai for the construction of two Ro-Ro cargo ships, with options for an additional four vessels (2+2+2). The new design builds on the experience gained from the company’s previous ship design concepts and incorporates a highly efficient hull form, engines ready for “future fuels”, and an expandable battery hybrid system. The vessels will have a service speed of 21 knots and will be available in two main configurations depending on the beam (28 or 31 metres) and number of decks. A three-deck version will offer a capacity of 3,000 to 3,400 lane metres, while a four-deck version will provide 4,100 to 4,700 lane metres. Reports with photos: https://shipsmonthly.com/news/new-stena-line-vessel-ready-to-set-sail-for-home/ https://www.bairdmaritime.com/shipping/dry-cargo/ro-ro/stena-roro-signs-loi-for-up-to-six-new-ro-ro-cargo-ships

In September 2025, the 'Stena Connecta' has completes sea trials. The ferry is the second of two new NAOS-designed methanol-ready hybrid RoRo vessels, destined for the Irish Sea, and built at the Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Weihai. The first of the two sisters, the 'Stena Futura', was delivered at the end of June and has now entered service on the Belfast-Heysham route, while the 'Stena Connecta' will follow in early 2026. The ships will enhance freight capacity by 40% on the route in response to an increase in customer demand for services between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The two vessels, which are ‘methanol-ready’, will play a key role in Stena Line’s sustainability development. They are further enhanced with built-in technologies that will be able to utilise both battery propulsion and shore power, when available The 'Stena Conecta' will also be delivered as “rotor sail ready,” Report with photo: https://www.shippax.com/en/news/stena-lines-methanol-ready-hybrid-roro-vessel-stena-connecta-completes-sea-trials.aspx?fbclid=IwY2xjawNDNYpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqtDOCB-Bq429bUJFomrZvx3S4-nsgVtfjphDLCVivje3NSpiEjSNNtLIOwu_aem_DMUTgxk6Sw-_AJApsc6XNA