UPDATE 19/09/2025

We are pleased to announce The Stena Futura will commence service from Belfast - Heysham at 08 30 on 22 September.

The Stena Futura will operate alongside the Stena Scotia/Hibernia until the end of this year and during this period we will operate an additional Monday AM departure on the route.

• Belfast - Heysham Stena Futura sailings (AM) will arrive and depart from VT1 Terminal, West Bank Road.
• Trailer drop off for Stena Futura sailings is located at VT1/2 Freight check-in entrance.
• Trailer collection for Stena Futura sailings is located at VT1 South (opposite VT1/2 entrance) on Herdman Channel Road.

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Our brand-new freight vessel, the Stena Futura will enter service on the 22 September 2025. The purpose-built vessel is set to transform our Belfast–Heysham route with greater capacity, smarter technology, and greener operations.

The 147-metre Stena Futura will operate 12 sailings per week providing 2,800 lane metres of much needed additional freight capacity on the popular route which connects local hauliers directly into the key North of England road freight network.

The ship has been engineered for resilience with bespoke marine technology tailored for the unique tidal conditions at Heysham.

It’s sister ship, the Stena Connecta, is currently under construction and due to enter service also on the Belfast-Heysham route in early 2026. Both vessels will enhance freight capacity by 40% on the Belfast-Heysham in response to an increase in customer demand for freight services between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

The two hybrid vessels which are equipped to operate on methanol fuel, will also play a key role in Stena Line’s sustainability journey. They are further enhanced with built-in technologies that will be able to utilise both battery propulsion and shore power, when available.

With advanced hybrid capabilities and increased freight space, the Stena Futura is a bold step forward in delivering smarter, greener, and more efficient shipping solutions.

Stena Line