On February 24th, Stena Connecta, the second methanol-fueled Ro-Ro vessel built by China Merchants Jingling Shipyard (Weihai) Co. Ltd. (“CMJL (Weihai)”) for Stena Line, was launched on schedule.
Compared with the first vessel “Stena Futura”, this vessel has completed the work of gangway loading and navigational signal light angle inspection before launching, which has gained time for the subsequent works. “Stena Futura” was launched in October last year.
CMJL (Weihai) signed a contract with Stena in 2023 for the construction of two Newmax-class methanol-fueled ro-ro vessels, which are expected to be delivered in 2025, and then will be placed in operation on the Belfast-Haisham route in the Irish Sea.
With a length of 147 meters and a lane length of 2,800 meters, the vessels are capable of carrying 12 passengers and 26 crew members in addition to vehicles.
Designed for the electrification of the future, the Newmax features built-in technology to utilize battery propulsion and available shore power.
Stena Line is now the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea with 39 vessels and 18 routes in Northern Europe.