Stena Line’s new Nynäshamn – Hanko route began yesterday, 1 February 2022.
Announced in December, the new route marks the next step in Stena Line’s ambition to further expand and strengthen its position in the Baltic Sea
URD left Nynäshamn/Stockholm Norvik Port yesterday evening, after an inauguration ceremony with a small group of guests from business and politics. Starting with three departures per week, the Nynäshamn – Hanko link will soon switch to a daily schedule, when the STENA GOTHICA joins its sister vessel at the beginning of May.
Filling a gap in network
Johan Edelman, Trade Director, Baltic Sea North, Stena Line says;
”By URD’s departure to Finland, we close a gap in the transport network. This new service is primarily an outcome of customer dialogue and market demand. But to bring it to life you also need to be somewhat entrepreneurial, and it requires hard work, a dedicated team and strong commitment to make a new route a success. So far the response has been very positive which shows that we made the right decision”.
https://news.cision.com/stena-line/r/stena-line-sets-sail-to-finland-for-the-first-time—responds-to-market-demand,c3497046
The new service will accommodate the increasing demand of freight customers for seamless transport in the Baltic Sea and beyond. This Stena network expansion to Finland, further expands one of the biggest ferry networks in Northern Europe.
Johan Edelman adds;
“It is a straight forward, transport focussed setup, dedicated to establish a floating bridge between Central Sweden and Southern Finland. Reliable ships and flexible, solution-seeking staff are the pillars of Nynäshamn-Hanko. We will carry with us the memory of the inauguration when we are back at our desks to work on further developing the link and fulfilling our aims for growth.”
The route sails overnight with a crossing time of 12 hours. Nynäshamn – Hanko is the first ever mainstream ropax route from Stena Line connecting Sweden with mainland Finland.
Further expansion at Norvik Port
The new route marks a further expansion in Stena Line’s services to and from Stockholm Norvik Port. In 2021 the shipping company introduced two extended vessels on the Ventspils – Stockholm Norvik Port route. Further expansion is due this year by Stena replacing the current vessels for two larger, newly built E-flexer vessels on the same route.
The strategic location of Stockholm Norvik Port, with efficient intermodal transport connections to all of Sweden, offers customers new opportunities. The port has been built with a capacity for expansion and for extensive possibilities to store and transfer cargo.
According to Fredrik Lindstål, Chair of the Board at Ports of Stockholm, this is a proud moment for all involved:
“The commitment of Stena Line in introducing another route from Stockholm Norvik Port emphasises how important the newly built port is for the sustainable supply of goods to Sweden’s largest consumer area. The port has strong intermodal connections to the rest of Sweden both by road and by rail and the location is closer to the fairway than any other ports on the Swedish east coast. It is a success that we together can grow with yet another new route, this time between Sweden and Finland.”
Ports of Stockholm Press Release 2 February 2022 https://www.portsofstockholm.com/about-us/news/2022/new-route-inaugurated-between-stockholm-norvik-and-hanko-in-finland/
Future potential for passenger service
The vessels URD and STENA GOTHICA each offer a capacity of 1,600 vehicle lane meters and 186 passengers. The dedicated cargo focus caters for all needs of Stena Line´s freight customers. This includes traditional accompanied and unaccompanied units, containers, special cargo or intermodal units arriving by rail.
Previously, the Finnish press reported that a passenger service will launch in May. Presumably this could coincide with the daily service starting.
Given the ingenuity and agility at Stena, the development of this route will be watched with interest.
