Modernising our fleet

NewMax Hybrid Ferries

Stena Line is well underway in modernising its large European fleet of ferries. Stena Futura, the first of two NewMax hybrid ferries, will join our Irish Sea fleet in Autumn 2025. Alongside sister ship, Stena Connecta, these vessels will serve our Belfast – Heysham route, significantly boosting freight capacity by 40 percent and meeting the growing customer demand between Northern Ireland and Great Britain

Our hybrid vessels will play a vital role in Stena Line’s sustainability journey. Both ships will have the capability to operate on methanol fuel and utilize battery propulsion and shore power as these technologies become available.

Every day, we are committed to working closely with methanol suppliers to secure future volumes of e-methanol, fulfilling our strategic ambition of shifting to renewable energy and reducing CO2 emissions by 30 percent by 2030 compared to 2019.

“It’s exciting to witness the progress of our new ships, future-proofing our fleet and setting new industry standards to be part of the solution to climate change. These new vessels are the first RoRo ships equipped with a multi hybrid solution, enabling them to operate on battery, biofuel, and methanol. Stena Futura and Stena Connecta will provide a crucial link across the Irish Sea, addressing the growing demand from freight customers on this route.”, said Niclas Mårtensson, CEO, Stena Line.

Stena Futuro

At Stena Line, our commitment to sustainability drives us to continuously enhance the efficiency of our current fleet and innovate the next generation of ferries.

Introducing our concept vessel, Stena Futuro, a 240-metre-long RoRo vessel, developed with the ambition to reduce energy usage by 20 percent or more through optimal design and advanced technology.

Every detail of the vessel is shaped with efficiency in mind. From a low-weight, streamlined hull and superstructure, to hybrid propulsion, battery support, and solar panels – all helping to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact. The developed concept for Stena Futuro also includes an air lubrication system to reduce water resistance, waste heat recovery, and four retractable 40-metre wing sails that could bring an additional 15 percent in fuel savings.

While there are currently no finalised plans to build Stena Futuro, the concept plays a key role in shaping our tonnage strategy for the future.

E-Flexer Ferries

In 2022, we introduced 5 new-build ferries to our fleet. These new vessels were among the most advanced and energy efficient RoPax ferries in operation, increasing energy efficiency by 30 percent thanks to the optimum design of the hulls, propellers, bulbs and rudders.  This marked our first major investment in becoming the world’s most sustainable ferry company.

Stena Estrid, the first of five, joined our Irish Sea operations at the beginning of 2020. She was later joined by sister ships, Stena Edda and Stena Embla. These three vessels have been highly appreciated by our customers and have successfully served several different routes, showcasing their incredible flexibility.

Stena Estelle began service on our Karlskrona-Gdynia route in 2022, followed by Stena Ebba. Together, they have significantly boosted capacity and efficiency in the region.

All five vessels are delivered gas-ready to allow conversion to methanol or LNG fuel. The E-Flexers are larger than regular RoPax vessels with more availability per sailing and offer an efficient loading and unloading process with drive-through lanes across two levels.

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