#FERRY NEWS –Stena Line has appointed Carl-Johan Hagman as the new CEO, replacing Gunnar Blomdahl, who has been serving in this role for more than a decade of the Swedish owned ferry giant which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Hagman has since Autumn 2011 been responsible for all shipping operations in the Stena Group, until he takes his new role of CEO on New Year's Day 2013. The 46 year old will continue to hold this position in the Stena Group in the future.

Carl-Johan Hagman commented: "Stena Line is one of the linchpins in Stena AB. The company's strategy remains in place and our continuous efforts to offer comfortable, cost-effective and environmentally efficient ferry transport, to both private travellers and industry, will continue".

"I would like to congratulate Gunnar on successfully leading the company through a sometimes volatile period and thank him for handing over a very well-managed company."

Gunnar Blomdahl took over as Stena Line's CEO in 2003. During the years with Gunnar as CEO, Stena Line has developed into one of the world's largest ferry companies, including the best years historically in terms of profit.

The company has invested around SEK 11 billions in new tonnage and geographic expansion, e.g. through the acquisition of Scandline's five Baltic routes a few months ago.

As a consequence of this change, Carl-Johan Hagman will relinquish the role as Chairman for Stena Line and Dan Sten Olsson (son of Stena Line founder Sten A. Olsson) will once again take on this role.