Stena Line
Stena Line operates the Kiel-Gothenburg ferry route, one of the most important direct links between Germany and Sweden. Here is what you need to know about one of Europe's largest ferry operators.
About Stena Line
About Stena Line
Stena Line is a Swedish ferry operator headquartered in Gothenburg and one of the largest ferry companies in the world. Founded in 1962, the company employs around 6,200 people from nearly 50 nations across eleven countries and carries more than 6 million passengers a year. Stena Line AB is a subsidiary of Stena AB and remains privately owned by the founding family to this day.
The story began in 1939, when Sten Allan Olsson, the son of a ship's captain from the island of Donsö in the Gothenburg archipelago, founded a scrap-trading business at the age of 23. In 1946 he bought his first ship and named it after his son Dan. Stena Line itself was born in 1962 with the takeover of Skagenlinjen and the first ferry route between Gothenburg and Skagen in Denmark.
From a Sweden route to a European network
Over the following decades, the company grew through acquisitions and new routes. The Kiel-Gothenburg service was added in 1967, followed by a 1981 merger with its biggest rival, Sessan Line. The 1990 acquisition of Sealink British Ferries doubled the company's size, and in the 1990s Stena Line pioneered the HSS (High-Speed Sea Service) high-speed ferries.
Today the fleet comprises 40 to 44 ferries (the figure varies by source and date), operating on 19 to 20 routes across eleven countries: Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Latvia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Spain and Morocco. The fleet includes RoPax, combi and freight ferries. Alongside its passengers, Stena Line transports more than 2 million freight units and 1.8 million vehicles each year.
Stena Line to Sweden
For travellers heading to Sweden, the key service is the Kiel-Gothenburg route, which Stena Line has operated since 1967. The overnight ferry departs Kiel in the early evening and arrives in Gothenburg the next morning, sailing through the Gothenburg archipelago on approach. Because the crossing runs overnight, a cabin is always included in the booking. Stena Line also runs the daytime Frederikshavn-Gothenburg route across the Kattegat, which suits a shorter onward journey from Denmark.
FAQ Stena Line
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about Stena Line and its ferry route to Sweden
Which Stena Line route runs to Sweden?+
For travel to Sweden, the direct Kiel-Gothenburg crossing is the key route. Stena Line has run this service since 1967, linking northern Germany overnight with Sweden's west coast.
When was Stena Line founded?+
The company was founded in 1962, when Sten Allan Olsson took over Skagenlinjen and launched the first ferry route between Gothenburg and Skagen in Denmark. Stena Line remains privately owned by the founding family to this day.
How big is Stena Line?+
Stena Line is one of the largest ferry operators in the world. Around 6,200 employees, a fleet of 40 to 44 ships and 19 to 20 routes connect eleven countries. More than 6 million passengers travel with the company each year.
Can I bring a car or motorhome?+
Yes. Large RoPax ferries operate on the Kiel-Gothenburg route, carrying cars, motorhomes and foot passengers. Dogs are welcome on board too.