The MV Connemara is a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) passenger and freight ferry that currently operates across New Zealand’s Cook Strait, serving StraitNZ's Bluebridge route between Wellington and Picton. Launched on 18 December 2006 as Borja and completed by 11 May 2007, the vessel was initially chartered to Stena Line during its construction, with early service on the Barcelona-Palma route starting on 20 May 2007. Although it was initially thought to be named Stena Ausonia, it was not, and instead, it was sold to Stena RORO in June 2007. Constructed for versatility, the ferry features a capacity for 518 passengers, 120 freight vehicles, and 195 cars. Its design allows for both freight and passenger transport, making it suitable for various routes across Europe and later in New Zealand. Over its service life, the vessel has undergone multiple name changes and operated under several operators, including Balearia as Borja, Baltic Amber for AVE Lines, Norman Asturias for LD Lines, and Asterion during a charter to Anek Lines. Its routes have included the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic, with service between Spain, France, Tunisia, Morocco, and the UK. In late 2022, the vessel was acquired by StraitNZ and renamed Connemara to serve the inter-island route across the Cook Strait. It arrived in Wellington in January 2023, replacing the Straitsman, and features pet-friendly cabins—a first for StraitNZ. The ferry has experienced operational incidents, notably losing power off Sinclair Head in September 2024, prompting a maritime investigation, and hitting a wharf in Picton in October 2024 during strong winds. Throughout its career, the Connemara has been a versatile vessel with a broad service history, notable for its adaptability across different maritime regions and its recent role in New Zealand’s inter-island ferry network.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.