China Merchants Jinling Shipyard has launched the second NewMax ferry, Stena Connecta. The hybrid-powered vessel will undergo final fitting-out and outfitting before entering service in January 2026. The first vessel in the series, Stena Futura, was laid down in July 2024 and is expected to enter service in autumn 2025.
Both ferries are designed for the Belfast – Heysham route and are being built in response to the growth of passenger and freight traffic between Northern Ireland and the UK. They run on methanol, can use batteries and can be powered from the shore grid in ports. Stena Connecta is additionally equipped with rotor wind turbines for increased energy efficiency.
The new NewMax series of ferries will strengthen Stena Line’s position in the region and will allow the operator to reduce CO₂ emissions thanks to environmentally friendly technologies.