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Stena Line achieved record freight volumes on its three Belfast routes in 2025, with a 1.0% increase, totaling nearly 600,000 freight units shipped to Cairnryan, Liverpool (Birkenhead), and Heysham. This milestone coincided with the 30th anniversary of Stena Line's operations from Belfast Harbour.

The Belfast-Liverpool (Birkenhead) route saw over 270,000 freight units shipped, marking significant growth in demand. The Belfast to Heysham route also recorded its highest volumes in five years, with expectations for further growth following the introduction of the new vessel, Stena Connecta, on January 23, 2026.

Stena Connecta will complement the Stena Futura, launched in November 2025, providing an additional 40% freight capacity with 24 weekly sailings. Both ships are hybrid vessels designed for sustainability, capable of operating on methanol fuel and equipped with technologies for battery propulsion and shore power.