Frederikshavn-Gothenburg to become an emission-free ferry route by 2030

Stena Line, Frederikshavn Municipality, and the Port of Frederikshavn signed a historic agreement on Monday

On 20 September, the Swedish shipping line company and ferry operator Stena Line signed a historic agreement with Frederikshavn Municipality and the Port of Frederikshavn in Denmark. The signatories agreed to undertake making the Frederikshavn-Gothenburg ferry route the first emission-free ferry route of its kind.

To achieve their goal, the parties seek to deploy two emission- and fossil-free Stena Elektra ferries on the aforementioned route by 2030. The ferries will reportedly be the world’s first fossil-free RoPax vessels of their size, with space for approximately 1,200 passengers and 700 cars.

Stena Elektra ferry
Source: Stena Line on Youtube

Reducing emissions with sustainable transport

According to a press release, Stena Line aims to achieve a 30% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030. Naturally, the two emission- and fossil-free Stena Elektra ferries are key to the achievement of this goal. However, the company notes that the ferries will not be enough. That is, it also needs to have a detailed framework, political support, and partnerships across the transport industry.

Commenting on the historic agreement, CEO of Stena Line Niclas Mårtensson shared: “Our ambition is to lead the development towards fossil-free shipping and sustainable transport at sea. Stena Line has bound Denmark and Sweden together across the Kattegat since 1963, so today is a very special day. That today we can take this historic route for us and lead it as far into the future as possible with the commitment to two Stena Elektra ferries makes me extra proud.”

Similarly, CEO of the Port of Frederikshavn Mikkel Seedorff Sørensen announced that the port shares the same green ambitions as Stena Line. Taking this further, Sørensen shared that making the Frederikshavn-Gothenburg route emission-free will be a huge step not just for the company but for the entire region.

With around 90% of global trade taking place via ocean shipping, such agreements are crucial to ensure sustainable transport and a greener future.