Stena Line’s first hybrid freight ferry has arrived at Belfast Harbour as it prepares to go into service connecting the North West and Northern Ireland.
The Stena Futura will start operating on the freight-only Belfast to Heysham route on September 22, and will ultimately operate 12 sailings a week.
Its sister ship Stena Connecta is currently under construction and is set to enter service on the Belfast-Heysham route early next year. When both vessels are in operation, Stena's freight capacity on the route will rise 40% as the line works to meet growing demand for Irish Sea services.
The vessels have been designed to be able to use sustainable fuel technologies, including methanol and battery propulsion. Stena Line calls Stena Futura “a significant step forward in sustainable shipping”.
Paul Grant, route director at Stena Line said: “The arrival of Stena Futura in Belfast is a significant milestone in our 30-year association with the city. Stena Futura and sister vessel Stena Connecta represent an investment of over £100 million, highlighting our commitment to our Irish Sea network. The ships were commissioned in direct response to customer demand for an increase in freight capacity on our routes and we are delighted to see the first ship enter service.
“These vessels represent a crucial step in our broader sustainability journey. By integrating battery propulsion and shore power capabilities, we are making significant strides towards our goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030, reinforcing Stena Line's position as a leader in sustainable shipping."
Joe O’Neill, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, said: “It is fantastic to welcome the Stena Futura to Belfast. We would like to congratulate Paul and the team at Stena Line on this significant milestone and welcome their commitment to sustainability in shipping. The whole team at Belfast Harbour is looking forward to seeing this state-of-the-art vessel entering service on one of our most important freight routes.
“Stena Line is a valued strategic partner and we are confident that there will be further opportunity for growth in freight volumes on the already successful Belfast-Heysham route following the introduction of the Stena Futura.”
Phil Hall, port director at Peel Ports Group, said: “The arrival of Stena Futura marks an exciting new era of sustainable, greener shipping across the Irish Sea. Our own investments to upgrade the Port of Heysham, alongside the long-standing and valued partnership with Stena Line, will enable an improved, more resilient, and environmentally responsible gateway for our customers.”
Stena Lin’s fleet provides 238 weekly sailings across the Irish Sea, also including combined passenger and freight services from Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead and Rosslare to Fishguard.
