Sale Of Stena Line Possible

The chairman of Swedish international shipping operator Stena Line AB told press he can imagine selling the loss-making ferry group. However, said Dan Sten Olsson, "it has to be a serious buyer who is not just out to shop up the company."

Stena Line - which also operates the English Channel with British shipping operator P&O under the P&O Stena Line company - posted a loss after financial items of $57.15 million for 1999. The group has cut costs to meet changes following the end of tax-free shopping in Europe. Olsson said he expected the loss-making group to break even in 2001.

He said there were several buyers who may be interested in the Swedish group, one of the world's largest shipping operators.