Stena Nordica entered service as the fourth ship between Karlskrona and Gdynia on Saturday, further increasing capacity on the route to meet growing capacity demand for freight and passengers.
Previously, the route was operated with three RoPax vessels and one cargo vessel. With Stena Nordica, the route is now operating with four RoPax vessels, which will provide freight and passengers with a choice of up to four departures a day from each port. The number of departures per week is now 46 which is a record on this route.
"We have had strong growth in recent years, and we are still experiencing a strong demand for increased capacity from both freight customers and passengers. This means we must continue to invest and adjust our tonnage to match the needs of our customers, and to add the Stena Nordica on this route is a very important step," said Marek Kiersnowski, Trade Director of Stena Line's routes between Sweden and Poland.
Stena Nordica will sail on the route with Stena Vision, Stena Spirit and Stena Baltica.
"Our routes between Sweden and Poland are strategically important for Stena Line and this investment follows our strategy for growth and helps us to maintain our strong market position with Baltic Port in Karlskrona and the terminal in Gdynia as important ports for both freight and passengers," Kiersnowski said.
Stena Nordica was built in 2000 and has been refurbished and modernized both internally and externally.
"Stena Nordica sailed on the route from 2004 – 2008 so therefore we know that she works well on this route. In addition, the ship is well-liked by our customers. Another great advantage is that she is adapted for loading via two-level ramps, which significantly reduces loading and unloading time," Kiersnowski said.
Stena Nordica
Passenger capacity: 450
Sailing time: 10h30m
Length: 170 meters
Width: 26 meters
Loading capacity: 1950 lane meters