Longest Ro-Pax completes Kiel’s conversion

Two sisters ships, Stena Germanica and Stena Scandinavica are 240m in length, the world’s longest Ro-Pax ferries. With a capacity of 4,200 lane metres apiece, they are also the largest ever to have berthed in Kiel.

Dirk Claus, managing director of the Port of Kiel (SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KG.) said, “We can already say that the introduction of the new ferries, particularly as far as freight is concerned, has been a complete success and well exceeded expectations, even as early as the first half year of operation”.

During a reception on board Stena Scandinavica , he presented the traditional first call plaque to Captain Jan Sjöström and added, “We are delighted that as of today the Baltic’s longest and most modern ferries are sailing from Kiel and that all the transport capacity they can offer is now available.”

To prepare for Stena Line’s new generation of ships, €30.8m was invested at the Schwedenkai Terminal in expanding operational areas and in the building of a modern terminal building. The final changes to the site have been made over the past few months and the Schwedenkai is now one of the most efficient terminal facilities in the Baltic for the handling of big Ro-Pax ships.

Stena Line has linked Kiel with Gothenburg since 1967 and during this time 22.7m passengers, 34.3m private cars, 1.2m trucks and 14.7m tons of cargo have been transported.

The SEEHAFEN KIEL operates Kiel’s commercial port on behalf of the Schleswig-Holstein state capital of Kiel, of which it is a 100% subsidiary. Every year 5.8m tons of cargo is handled at terminal facilities in the Stadthafen and Ostuferhafen while two million passengers board or leave cruise ships in the port.

The new 12 storey terminal building at the Schwedenkai has become a landmark for the fiord city. It also houses the administrative offices of the SEEHAFEN KIEL as well as the German offices of Stena Line. A brand new restaurant, Langengrad (longitude), opens at Schwedenkai mid-May.