Stena Line, with its origins in Sweden, has decided to close the ferry route across the Kattegat between Halmstad and Grenå in Denmark, which will continue to operate using the Stena Nautica route until April 30th.
The Gothenburg-based ferry company has cited its decision to close the short sea route (4 hours 35 minutes), which has been around for a long time, as they have had major challenges in achieving profitability on the line.
By concentrating our investments on lines with clear demand, we can support both business transport and travel more effectively and at the same time strengthen the long-term robustness of our line network. It is not an easy decision but necessary to future-proof our business and continue to create a strong network of ferry connections as an important part of Sweden's and Europe's infrastructure, says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.
Strong competition from the fixed bridge connections to and in Denmark, a strained cost situation, and a challenging market situation due to an uncertain external situation and weak economic conditions are the main reasons why the Halmstad-Grenå connection is now being closed.
Stena Line has operated the Halmstad–Grenå route since 2020 with one vessel, Stena Nautica, which Afloat highlights as the 19,504-ton ferry that was the one-time Isle of Innisfree, chartered to B&I Line during 1992-93.
As for the Nordic route, the Swedish port in 1999 was changed from Varberg due to new plans for the port south of Halmstad. The company's board of directors has now decided to discontinue the ferry route and conclude an agreement with Hallands Hamnar and Grenå Port to end the collaboration. According to the current plan, the Halmstad–Grenå ferry route will cease operations this year on 30 April.
The Halmstad–Grenå line has been an important part of Stena Line's network, and we have fought hard for some time and tried various measures to reverse the trend. However, without a sufficient customer base, it has not succeeded, and we have now chosen to make this difficult and sad decision. "We would like to thank our partners in the municipality, region, and business community, on both the Swedish and Danish sides, for good and valuable cooperation during the time we have operated the traffic between Halmstad and Grenå," comments Christina Bromander, Trade Director for Stena Line's Denmark lines.
Our ambition is that as many of the affected staff as possible will be offered further work within Stena Line. Our customers affected by the closure will be offered a good alternative on the Fredrikshamn–Gothenburg route, she adds.
Stena Line's Swedish ferry network will continue to comprise six ferry lines and 12 vessels: Gothenburg-Frederikshavn (Denmark), Gothenburg-Kiel (Germany), Trelleborg-Rostock (Germany), Karlskrona-Gdynia (Poland), Nynäshamn-Ventspils (Latvia), and, as Afloat reported, the company’s recent acquisition of Wasaline’s Umeå-Vaasa (Finland) link across the Gulf of Bothnia, the northern branch of the Baltic Sea.
