Stena Line News

DFDS has agreed to acquire the Ro-Pax ferry Stena Vinga from Swedish operator Stena Line, strengthening its fleet and supporting services linking Jersey with the U.K. and France.The vessel is currently chartered by DFDS and has been operating on its Jersey routes since March 2025, carrying both freight and passengers.The 125-meter vessel, built in 2005, can carry up to 400 passengers, 200 cars and has freight capacity of 1,500 lane metres. It is equipped with 40 cabins, a restaurant, duty-free shop, cinema and recliner lounge.DFDS said the ferry will be reflagged under the U.K.

PPG announced the completion of its 200th vessel dry docking using electrostatic application of marine fouling control coatings, nearly three years after introducing the technique to the global shipping market.The project was completed on the Stena Britannica, a passenger and roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel operated by Stena Line, one of the world’s largest ferry companies, at the EDR Antwerp shipyard in Belgium. The team applied PPG SIGMAGLIDE 2390 fouling release coating, a silicone-based…

PPG has completed its 200th vessel dry docking using electrostatic application of marine fouling control coatings, nearly three years after introducing the technique to the global shipping market.The project was completed on the Stena Britannica, a passenger and roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel operated by Stena Line, one of the world’s largest ferry companies, at the EDR Antwerp shipyard in Belgium. The team applied PPG SIGMAGLIDE® 2390 fouling release coating, a silicone-based…

Wasaline reports its best February since operations began in 2013. A total of 18,191 passengers travelled with the company during the month, representing an 11 percent increase compared with the same period last year.One contributing factor to the increase is the concept of ice cruises, which have proven very popular. Several groups from Europe have chosen to travel with Wasaline to experience the winter landscape of the Kvarken region.“Our long-term marketing efforts in Europe are now beginning to deliver results.

Stena Line has invested millions in extensive refurbishment and modernization of the Stena Germanica and Stena Scandinavica ferries on the Gothenburg–Kiel route. The renovation includes restaurant and bar areas as well as outdoor decks ahead of the com-ing travel season.Stena Line has carried out an extensive modernisation of the Stena Germanica and Stena Scandinavica ferries that operate on the route between Gothenburg and Kiel. Now that the ships have recently returned from the shipyard, passengers can enjoy renovated restaurant and bar areas and an upgraded outdoor deck.

A ceremony in Umeå marked the official completion of Stena Line’s acquisition of Wasaline.“The close and strong cooperation between Sweden and Finland is of central strategic importance to both our countries. Robust and reliable transport links are a fundamental prerequisite for a competitive business sector as well as for strengthened preparedness and security. Ferry traffic between Sweden and Finland is attractive and viable, as underscored by today’s ceremony," said Andreas Carlsson…

Stena Line has decided to close the ferry route between Halmstad in Sweden and Grenaa in Denmark. The vessel Stena Nautica will continue to operate the route until April 30,2026.“The reason for this decision is that we have faced significant challenges in achieving profitability on the route over a long period of time. By concentrating our investments on routes with clear demand, we can support both commercial transport and passenger travel more efficiently, while at the same time strengthening the long-term resilience of our route network.

Stena RoRo has ordered a new generation of Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) vessels, placing firm orders for two C-Flexer RoRo ships with options for an additional four, as the company moves to expand its offering of flexible and future-proofed tonnage for the global market.The vessels have been developed by Stena RoRo in cooperation with Italian design firm NAOS Ship and Boat Design and form part of the company’s long-term strategy to provide adaptable RoRo vessels capable of meeting evolving operational and regulatory requirements.“With Stena RoRo’s extensive experience and market knowledge…

Stena Connecta, the latest purpose-built freight vessel commissioned by Stena Line for the Irish Sea has arrived in Belfast Harbor and is due to go into commercial service on the Belfast-Heysham route on January 23, 2026.The ship joins its sister vessel Stena Futura which went into service on the Belfast-Heysham service in October 2025 and together they offer an additional 40% freight capacity on the increasing popular trade route between Northern Ireland and Britain.Stena Connecta…

Stena Line, and the UK’s largest port operator, Associated British Ports (ABP), are to commence work on a new freight ferry terminal at the Port of Immingham. The new terminal represents a joint investment of more than £200 million ($265 million) in the port and a boost to the Humber region of England where the unaccompanied freight market has been steadily growing.Located in Lincolnshire, Immingham is becoming a strategic hub for Stena Line, which currently runs two daily services from the Humber region to The Netherlands.

More than 200 guests attended the official naming ceremony of Stena Line’s newest vessel, Stena Futura, at Belfast Harbour. The 147-mhybrid freight ferry Stena Futura is the first of two next-generation “NewMax” freight vessels purpose-built for the busy Belfast–Heysham route. The ship is methanol-ready and equipped with hybrid propulsion systems, including battery capability and shore power connectivity. These innovations will help Stena Line achieve its goal of reducing CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030.The naming ceremony was carried out by the ship’s Godmother…

Stena Line strengthened its position in the Baltic Sea by acquiring NLC Ferry Ab Oy/Wasaline and taking over operations of the ferry route between Umeå in Sweden and Vaasa in Finland.“It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we at Stena Line take on the responsibility for Wasaline and the route between two important regions and cities, Umeå and Vaasa,” says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.The only existing ferry connection between Umeå and Vaasa is jointly owned by the two cities through the 50/50-owned company Kvarken Link…

Stena Line’s newest vessel, Stena Connecta, was officially named at the CMI Shipyard in Weihai, China on October 16, and will soon begin her maiden voyage to her new home port on the Irish Sea. Alongside Stena Futura, which entered service in September, these two new freight ferries will boost freight capacity by 40 percent on the Belfast–Heysham route.Attending the ceremony were Stena Line CEO Niclas Mårtensson, members of the company’s executive team, and Stena AB owner Dan Sten Olsson.Stena Connecta is a New Max RoRo ship built for maximized freight capacity…

Stena Line has welcomed the first of its new hybrid freight ferries to Belfast Harbor. The multimillion-pound purpose-built Stena Futura will go into service on the freight-only Belfast to Heysham route on September 22.The 147-meter Stena Futura will operate 12 sailings per week providing much needed additional freight capacity on the popular route which connects local hauliers directly into the key North of England road freight network.Once operational, Stena Futura and sister ship Stena Connecta…

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) will host an in-person panel discussion during London International Shipping Week (LISW) 2025, bringing together expert voices from across the maritime industry to explore the next generation of navigation standards. Titled "S-100 in focus," the session will take place on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Sea Containers, London, and is free to attend with advance registration. The event will examine the maritime sector’s transition to the S-100 framework, designed by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).

Wasaline says it has become the first carbon-neutral shipping company in the Baltic Sea, reaching its original 2030 climate target six years ahead of schedule. The milestone comes as the Finnish-Swedish operator signed a biogas supply contract with Gasum and entered a FuelEU Maritime pooling agreement with Stena Line, enabling its Vaasa–Umeå service to run entirely on biofuels.The agreement makes the route the first international green shipping corridor in operation, an achievement supported by the DNV-led Nordic Roadmap.

In the end of July, RoRo Stena Foreteller will return to service on the Europoort/Rotterdam – Immingham route following a major rebuild and renovation.The vessel has been fitted with a fourth vehicle deck on top of the existing three, increasing the number of lane meters from 3,000 to 4,000.With a new additional cargo deck and a 30% increase in capacity, the vessel becomes more efficient and further reduces CO₂ emissions per cargo unit.The vessel has also been equipped with a shore power connection system…

Stena Line has announced that Stena Futura, the first of its new hybrid ferries destined for the Irish Sea, has successfully completed its sea trials.The completion of the sea trials is a milestone in the build Stena Futura and the vessel is on schedule to enter service on the Belfast-Heysham route in late summer.Sea trials are designed to test the vessel at sea to demonstrate the proper function of the ship to ensure that all systems are fully operational and in line with agreed specifications.

Compassion in World Farming campaigners gathered at the port outside Brittany Ferries headquarters in Portsmouth, UK, on Saturday to call on the company to reverse its decision made earlier this year to resume the live export of farmed animals from Ireland to France after a 30-year hiatus.The event marked the tenth annual Ban Live Exports International Day which was first launched in 2016 to mark the anniversary of 13,000 sheep dying on a sea journey from Romania to Somalia.Live export involves farmed animals enduring overcrowding…

MJR Power & Automation, a leading UK-based marine electrical engineering specialist, has been awarded a contract by Stena Line to upgrade the Power Management Systems (PMS) on board the Stena Scotia and Stena Hibernia vessels.The contract includes the design, engineering, supply, and commissioning of power management systems that will enhance the operational efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of the two vessels.Upgrades for this project will involve the integration of modern digital control technology…

Stena Line has announced the concept for a new generation vessel: Stena Futuro, a 240-meter-long roro intended for transporting semi-trailers and cars.The hull and superstructure have been optimized to achieve the most efficient use of cargo space possible. At the same time, low weight and optimized hydro- and aerodynamics are central to achieving low fuel consumption.In addition to the vessel’s design, Stena Futuro will be equipped with technology to limit its environmental footprint.

Actors Dame Joanna Lumley and Pauline McLynn have joined forces with over 110 other high-profile individuals, experts and animal welfare NGOs to condemn a decision by Brittany Ferries to resume transporting livestock from Ireland to France, including unweaned calves.Lumley and others including Chis Packham, Neil Hannon and Cathy Davey have added their names to a letter urging Brittany Ferries to reconsider. Renowned veterinarian and journalist Pete Wedderburn, who believes that animals should not be made to suffer by travelling long distances for slaughter…

Ethical Farming Ireland has followed up a July 2024 open letter to Stena Line CEO Niclas Martensson with another signed by 18 NGOs across Europe asking the company to stop the export of unweaned calves from Ireland on its vessels.Every year, tens of thousands of calves - as young as 15-days-old - are sent on long journeys to mainland Europe. Most end up in inhumane veal farms in the Netherlands, says the NGO.Calves travel from Rosslare to Cherbourg port in crowded trucks. While being exported, unweaned calves cannot be fed because they are dependent on milk.