Coronavirus information

(Published 13 March – Updated 19 March)

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel restrictions imposed by several countries, Stena Line has, like many other companies within the travel industry, seen a drastic decline in travel bookings. The effect has been the worst in Scandinavia and on Saturday, 14 March, Stena Line stopped operating the Oslo – Frederikshavn route until further notice. Today, Thursday 19 March the decision was made to permanently close the route after more than 40 years in operation.

The decision means Stena Line will close their office in Oslo which will affect 30 shore-based employees. The vessel Stena Saga is currently in lay-up in its port of registry, Gothenburg.

(Published 13 March – Updated 19 March)

For more detailed Freight and freight drivers’ information, visit our Freight website here.

(Copenhagen, published 17 March)

In order to prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country, the Latvian authorities have announced increased border controls and a temporary suspension of international passenger transportation from March 17 to April 14. Shipping company Stena Rederi A/S, Stena Line Baltic Sea North, will continue to offer a reliable freight service on the ferry routes Nynäshamn-Ventspils (temporary timetable) and Travemünde-Liepaja.

Updated timetables are available at  https://www.stenalinefreight.com/timetable/

(Published 16 March)

The route between Trelleborg and Sassnitz is suspended from Monday, March 16 until further notice. German flagged vessel FS Sassnitz is in lay-up in the Port of Mukran.

• We want to give you flexibility and will do everything we can to assist you with your upcoming travel plans.  We are waiving any amendment fees for those travel customers who wish to rebook their trip. This applies to all of our routes and applies to bookings made up to 30th April 2020.
• For those guests travelling on group and package tours, special conditions apply. Please contact the point of contact where your booking was made.
• If there are any changes in our route network we will immediately update our regional websites with current traffic information to give you the best service possible. Find your country website here or see below. 

Austria

Belgium

Czech republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Holland

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Norway

Poland

Russia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

Other (in English)

• Customers are requested not to send any drivers onboard our vessels if the drivers have visited/been in quarantine areas, hence having a risk of spreading the virus. This also applies to drivers not displaying any symptoms. At any time, we will reserve our right to refuse travel.
• Drivers will be accommodated in single cabins as far as circumstances may permit but cannot be guaranteed. Local variations may apply on certain routes.
• The local authorities’ regulations regarding gathering in larger groups do not currently apply to our ferries.
• Please note that rules and conditions in relation to travelling onboard our vessels may be subject to change at short notice.

• Should there be any changes necessary in our routes we will immediately update our Freight website www.stenalinefreight.com with current traffic information to give you the best service possible.
• Please also note that all schedules may be subject to change at short notice.
• Should you have any questions about your shipments with us, please feel free to contact your local sales representative or via the links mentioned in this information.

In an extraordinary situation like this, we rely on the manuals and routines we have for this kind of situation. Our crews are trained for many different types of situations, including diseases. In addition to that:

• We are in touch with local authorities in the 10 countries where we operate and ensure to follow restrictions from them and the established health organisations.
• Onboard our ships and in our terminals, we are taking precautionary measures to prevent any spread of the Coronavirus including:
  • Increased the frequency of preventive cleaning and disinfection of “Hand Contact Point Hotspots” such as door handles, access touchpads, telephones. These are sanitized after each sailing and/or at least three times a day on longer crossings.
  • Increased possibilities for hand wash and disinfection placed in our public areas.
  • Our information on hygienic measures is based on the World Health Organisation’s guidelines.
• Stena Line’s employees on-board are trained on how to deal with suspected cases of illness and our ships are equipped with medical equipment.
• All employees are encouraged to stay alert on their daily health and those who are feeling sick are encouraged to stay at home.
• Non-essential business travels are cancelled, as well as larger meetings, non-essential visits to other locations, and events.
• In regions where the national authorities recommend it, office employees have the option to work from home.

We are in touch with local authorities and follow restrictions from them and the established health organisations. However, we also advise you to stay up to date with the latest Government advice:

• WHO
• Global cases
• IMO
• Sweden: Folkhälsomyndigheten
• Norway: Norwegian Institute of Public Health
• Denmark
• Netherlands
• Latvia: State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS)
• EU: European Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control (ECDC EU)  
• Ireland: Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) Ireland 
• UK: Department of Health and Social care  & UK Chamber of Shipping
• Germany
• Poland