Stena Line has announced the launch of the Stena Futura at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Weihai, in tandem with the laying of the keel of her sister ship, Stena Connecta.
The two NewMax hybrid vessels will both be able to operate on methanol. They also feature technologies that will enable them to use battery propulsion and shore power, when available.
Stena Line says it is working closely with methanol suppliers to lock in future volumes of e-methanol and to meet the company’s aim to shift to renewable fuels and cut 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030.
Once operational, Stena Connecta and Stena Futura will boost freight capacity by 40% on the Belfast-Heysham route, linking Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Stena Futura is slated to join the company fleet in Autumn 2026.
Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line, commented: ‘It’s exciting to witness the progress of our new ships, to future-proof our fleet and set new industry standards to be part of the solution to climate change.
‘These new vessels are the first Ro-Ro 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.’