The new «Stena Baltica» is about to make its debut on Stena Line’s Baltic Sea ferry route from Ventspils‒Nynäshamn
Janina Biteniece, Rutka Eliza | 2022.01.20
With the continued expansion of the Swedish ferry company Stena Line’s operations in the Baltic Sea, on 19 January its new ferry Stena Baltica is making its maiden voyage on the Ventspils‒Nynäshamn route. Henceforth it will share this route with the Stena Scandica, replacing the Stena Flavia, which will join the Stena Livia in conducting passenger voyages on the Liepāja–Travemünde route.
Stena Baltica is identical to the Stena Scandica, which has conducted passenger voyages between Ventspils and Nynäshamn since the summer of 2021. It is 222 metres long and has 202 cabins. It can accommodate 970 passengers, and has 2875 freight line metres, as well as an extra car deck. The ferry’s interior has been refurbished and has new cabin categories, spacious shops with great offers on well-known brand products, lounge areas and several dining facilities, as well as a sundeck.
“Transporting passengers and freight in the Baltic Sea region for almost a decade now, we keep constant track of our customers’ needs and demand, and are delighted to improve our customers’ experience. Compared to ferries that previously operated the route, Stena Scandica and Stena Baltica provide 30% more freight capacity and 70% more cabin space, more extensive leisure options, and a more pleasant travel experience on our vessels and routes to and from Latvia. Both new ferries are outstanding additions to Stena Line’s fleet of vessels for our customers, and this is just the first step on the path to our major plan to double the number of passengers on this Baltic Sea route over a three year period,” says Johan Edelman, Stena Line Trade Director, Baltic Sea North.
The new ferries are fitted with several sustainable features and fuel efficiency improvements, such as hybrid scrubbers, ballast water cleaning systems and other solutions to offer more sustainable transportation across the Baltic Sea. The increased tonnage also means lower emissions per transported unit.
Ventspils–Nynäshamn is the shortest route between Latvia and Scandinavia and will now be assumed by the Stena Scandica and Stena Baltica, while the ferries Stena Flavia and Stena Livia will now be deployed on the Liepāja–Travemünde route.
About Stena Line:
Stena Line is one of Europe's leading ferry companies with 37 vessels and 17 routes in Northern Europe. Stena Line is an important part of the European logistics network and develops new intermodal freight solutions by combining transport by rail, road and sea. Stena Line also plays an important role in tourism in Europe with its extensive passenger operations. In 2012 Stena Line acquired the ferry route between Nynäshamn in Sweden and Ventspils in Latvia. The company has more than doubled its operations from one vessel and 10 departures per week, to its current fixed timetable, which sees two vessels making 24 voyages a week for passengers and freight.