As in the previous year, demand for freight decreased, while the passenger side remained strong. Stena Line’s investment in RoPax vessels, which offer transport of both freight and passengers, provides increased flexibility. This helped Stena Line to gain market shares.

“The main reason is that we have built resilience and flexibility into our operations, as a result of the measures and adjustments we implemented during the pandemic,” says Stena Line’s MD, Niclas Mårtensson.

In 2023, Stena Line made investments in ports to further strengthen its leading role in European infrastructure.

The company is the leading ferry operator in the Irish Sea. In this expansion area, Stena Line signed long-term agreements to operate the ports of Heysham and Birkenhead in the UK until the year 2100. The company also signed an agreement for the construction of a new port in Immingham.

“We want to take a more comprehensive approach to infrastructure in line with our strategy to strengthen our position as a leader in sustainable shipping. Thanks to our ownership structure, we can make this type of long-term investment and influence the transition throughout the value chain – from the ferries to the ports, and transport to and from them,” says Niclas Mårtensson.

During the year, Stena Line signed an agreement with the Port of Gothenburg for the planned relocation of the terminal from central Göteborg to Arendal. The new port in Arendal enables intermodal transport solutions that are crucial for a sustainable transformation.

Stena Line continues to invest in the Baltic Sea. During the year, Stena Ebba, Stena Line’s second E-flexer vessel on the Karlskrona-Gdynia route, was commissioned, which contributed to a significant travel volume increase. Stena Line is one of the few ferry operators present in Latvia, and during the year the ferry and RoRo terminal in Ventspils was acquired.

“The Baltic Sea is an important growth region for Stena Line, and our investment in Ventspils shows our commitment to develop our business with both Latvia and in the Baltic sea,” says Niclas Mårtensson.

A customer survey conducted in 2023 showed more satisfied customers for Stena Line than ever before. The company’s consistent focus on safety, quality and punctuality is considered to be the most important reason for the good result. Recent years’ branding work, with the development of a uniform market concept and digitalisation of the booking system, is also deemed to have contributed.

“We want all our customers, wherever they are located, to meet the same profile; from a uniform price model to the design on board our ferries, it must be clear that this is Stena Line,” says Niclas Mårtensson.

“The new digital technology makes us more professional in our way of working and interacting with our customers. The digitalisation of the booking systems means that we can set the right price for each departure in real time, and minimise the waiting time in the port for truck drivers,” he continues.

During the year, Stena Line not only celebrated more satisfied customers – but also more satisfied employees. Participation in the employee survey also increased from 75 to 85 per cent as a result of a campaign to get more people to participate.

“It’s important that everyone makes their voice heard, so that we can listen to more employees and increase our efforts where needed,” says Niclas Mårtensson.

Stena Line wants the composition of the company’s many employees to reflect society. The company’s diversity programme is based on nine grounds for discrimination.

“We’re clear that diversity, inclusion and equity are important for a successful business. Stena Line must be a workplace that is open to, and cares for, everyone,” says Niclas Mårtensson.

During the year, Stena Line launched a new network, #OnboardWomen, to empower female seafarers.

The most important risks for Stena Line include the energy transition, an increasingly uncertain and fast-moving world, as well as safety, which is constantly addressed in a tough working environment. To manage these risks, the company works to create flexibility and resilience in order to quickly adapt its operations in line with new requirements and conditions.

Environment

Comments: Stena Line had more planned shipyard visits during the year, which impact the outcome slightly negative.

People

Share of women in the management team

50%

Goal: Gender equality in the management team

Society