Three decades on the Baltic – Stena Line has been connecting Gdynia and Karlskrona
May 2025 marks 30 years since Stena Line launched its Gdynia-Karlskrona ferry service. From a route served by one ferry 6 times a week, the Gdynia-Karlskrona line has become a key maritime corridor that has carried more than 12 million passengers and 2.5 million freight units to date. The anniversary was marked by the international Stena Line Baltic Business Conference Gdynia 2025, heralding the further development of this important transport artery in Europe.
The 30th anniversary of Stena Line’s ferry service between Gdynia and Karlskrona is not only an important anniversary for the company, but also a symbol of long-term Polish-Swedish cooperation, developing in parallel with the changes in Europe and the transport market. The culmination of the anniversary celebrations was the Stena Line Baltic Business Conference Gdynia 2025, attended by many distinguished guests representing the shipping, economy, logistics and administration sectors.
The event was attended by, among others. Dan Olsson – owner of Stena Sphere, Niclas Mårtensson – CEO of Stena Line Group, Marek Kiersnowski – Managing Director of Stena Line Polska, Ignacy Morawski, Chief Economist of Puls Biznesu, as well as industry representatives: Fredrik Udd (Explore Markets), Ron Gerlach (Technical Director at Stena Technik), Bogdan Ołdakowski (CEO of Actia Forum), Małgorzata Musińska-Kubis (Global Category Manager for Logistics & Transport at Qemetica Group), Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychała (Vice President of the Port of Gdynia Authority) Also present was the Swedish Ambassador to Poland, Andreas von Beckerath.
The past – building the line from scratch
When the first Lion Queen ferry sailed from Karlskrona to Gdynia in May 1995, it was a bold step – an attempt to create a new sea route almost from scratch. On its first voyage, the ship took single units of freight, but soon the connection began to grow in importance. As early as 1997, a new, larger ferry, the Stena Europe, entered the route, making it possible to handle the growing number of passengers and cargo carried.
Over time, the line became increasingly important economically and logistically – especially after Poland joined the European Union in 2004. Investment in promotional campaigns successfully attracted passengers and shipping companies from both countries.
From the beginning, we treated the Gdynia-Karlskrona line as a long-term investment project. We built the route from scratch, developing it consistently over 30 years. Today it is a stable, sustainable business – we have served more than 12 million passengers and 2.5 million freight units, which makes it one of the most important ferry connections on the Baltic Sea and an important link in the European logistic system,’ emphasises Marek Kiersnowski, Managing Director of Stena Line Poland.
The present – a modern fleet and infrastructure
In June 2022, Stena Line’s ferry operations were moved to a new, modern terminal in Gdynia. This facility allows for 240-metre-long ferries and offers a direct connection to the rail network, which will enable the development of intermodal transport in the future.
The line is currently served by three vessels: Stena Spirit and the modern e-flexer ferries Stena Estelle and Stena Ebba. Each can carry 1,200 passengers and 200 lorries, and their energy-efficient design allows them to use shore power, reducing CO2 emissions. They are the highest quality ferries in the entire Stena Line fleet.
The future – a bridge between Scandinavia and Central Europe
After 30 years of uninterrupted presence on the Baltic Sea, Stena Line does not intend to slow down. The future of the Gdynia-Karlskrona line involves further investment in freight development, automation and technologies to reduce CO2 emissions. The new ferries are already equipped for LNG and methanol propulsion, and in the future it will be possible to convert them to hybrid propulsion using batteries.
The Gdynia-Karlskrona connection is now a strategic part of the TEN-T Corridor VI, connecting the Baltic Sea with the Adriatic Sea and, consequently, Scandinavia with Central and Southern Europe. For the company, this is not only a commercial success, but also a responsibility. In times of geopolitical change and energy transition, the military and social importance of this route is also growing.
Our investments in tonnage and port infrastructure are a clear signal that we believe in the future of this link. Today, routes such as this have a double significance – as elements of the logistics system, but also as potential military corridors. Stena Line is not just a carrier – it is a trusted link between people, places and societies,’ says Marek Kiersnowski, Managing Director of Stena Line Poland.
Source: PortalMorski.pl
