Stena Line, one of Europe’s leading ferry companies, has acquired ferry and RoRo port operations in Ventspils, Latvia. The acquisition in Latvia is the latest among several moves to support Stena Line’s long-term expansion in the growing Baltic Sea region. Stena Line has operated the route between Ventspils and Nynäshamn, Sweden, since 2012. This announcement exemplifies Stena Line’s long-term commitment to Ventspils – one of Stena Line’s strategic sites in the Baltic Sea.
With 39 vessels and 18 routes in northern Europe, operating 27,000 sailings each year, 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 for tourism in Europe with its extensive passenger operations.
Direct ownership of the operations in Ventspils will give Stena Line the initiative in future expansion opportunities as Latvia continues to grow its importance as a maritime nation with increasing trade volumes.
Niclas Mårtensson, CEO Stena Line says: ‘The Baltic Sea is a major growth region for Stena Line and our investment in Ventspils shows how committed we are to develop our business with Latvia. With this strategic move we have secured a long-term position in an essential part in our European network, and I am looking forward to working with our customers and partners to continue expanding in the region.’
The growing customer demand on the route connecting Latvia and Sweden recently called for a capacity boost through two ferries – Stena Baltica and Stena Scandica. These extended ferries added 30% of freight capacity on the route and a new modern onboard experience for a maximum of 970 passengers in each vessel.
The acquisition of the ferry and RoRo port operations is subject to authority approval for competition compliance.
Source: Cyann Fielding, AntwerpXL 2023
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