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Tag: Scandlines | Ferry Shipping News

Jun 14
3

Scandlines Converts Two Fehmarn Belt Ferries to Plug-In Hybrids

By | 2025 Newsletter week 24 | No Comments
  • Scandlines will invest over EUR 31 million to convert two of the four Puttgarden–Rødby ferries into plug-in hybrids. (DEUTSCHLAND and SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN)
  • The goal is to cut CO₂ emissions by up to 80% using renewable electricity.
  • Each ferry will be fitted with a 5 MWh battery system.
  • Charging will take place in just 12 minutes at Puttgarden and Rødby terminals.
  • The conversion contract has been awarded to BLRT Grupp Western Shiprepair (Lithuania).
  • Work on the first ferry starts in August 2025; both conversions to be completed by early 2026.
  • Scandlines reaffirms its commitment to protecting the Baltic Sea and operating sustainably in the sensitive Fehmarn Belt area.
  • The German Ministry of Transport has awarded the project financial support, which covers up to 40 percent of the conversion expenses.

Photo: Matthias Tasler/Scandlines

May 30
3

Scandlines Becomes TourCert Qualified Partner

By | 2025 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments

Scandlines has been certified as a TourCert Qualified Partner, recognising its commitment to sustainable tourism in Rostock. The certification is part of Rostock Marketing’s sustainability initiative, developed in collaboration with TourCert and the local tourism board.

Each year, over a million Scandinavian travellers arrive in Rostock via Scandlines ferries. As a certified partner, Scandlines will now work closely with Rostock Marketing to support the region’s development as a sustainable travel destination.

To achieve the certification, Scandlines completed a structured self-assessment focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The partnership marks a further milestone in Scandlines’ long-term green strategy.

The certificate was officially presented on 16 May 2025 to Michael Dietz and Jenny Schmigale of Scandlines.

May 17
3

FACTS, FIGURES AND MORE

By | 2025 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

Scandlines Sharpened its Competitiveness in 2024

 Revenue: EUR 465 million, stable compared to previous year (466 million)

  • EBITDA: 181 million (↗ from 179 million)
  • EBIT: 149 million (↗ from 145 million)
  • Profit before tax: EUR 125 million (↗ or 122 million in 2023)
  • Investments: EUR 42 million, including major progress towards our zero direct emissions ambition
  • Revenue BorderShops ↘ (EUR 88 million against EUR 97 million) as currency developments reduced the incentive for Swedish customers to make use of the group’s shopping travel offering.
  • Sustainability: Construction of a zero direct emissions freight ferry is on track for commissioning in 2025; preparations for the conversion of two ferries to plug-in hybrid operations have advanced.
  • 4 million pax
  • 6 million cars
  • 693k trucks

Outlook

  • Continued focus on strengthening ferry operations, port infrastructure, and BorderShops in Puttgarden and Rostock.
  • Efficiency improvements, including automation and targeted commercial efforts, to enhance capacity utilisation and competitiveness.
  • Anticipated growth in leisure traffic and a return to freight volume increases from 2025 onwards.
  • Ongoing investments in green technology, highlighted by the upcoming deployment of a zero direct emission freight ferry.
  • Stable financial outlook supported by operational efficiency, with a long-term commitment to fair competition post-Fehmarn Belt fixed link.
May 09
3

Scandlines Extends Environmental Partnership with NABU

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

Scandlines has renewed its long-standing cooperation with NABU for another three years, further strengthening its commitment to sustainable ferry operations. Key initiatives include:

  • Supporting the shift to battery-hybrid and fully electric ferries.
  • Reducing underwater noise through advanced thruster technology.
  • Promoting biodiversity at the port of Puttgarden with rewilding and nesting initiatives.
Dec 06
2

Scandlines To Test e-Methanol Engine

By | 2024 Newsletter week 49 | No Comments
  • Currently, Scandlines’ hybrid ferries on the Rostock-Gedser route utilise diesel, batteries, and wind power. To further reduce emissions, Scandlines is exploring the conversion of its MaK diesel engines to run on e-methanol.
  • In partnership with Caterpillar Motoren, Scandlines plans to test an e-methanol engine in 2025. If successful, the first engine conversion could occur in 2027.
  • This collaboration underscores the potential of e-methanol as a sustainable alternative to traditional fuels.

Photo: Matthias Tasler Scandlines

Sep 06
2

Record-breaking summer for Scandlines

By | 2024 Newsletter week 36 | No Comments
  • Scandlines experienced a record-breaking summer in 2024, transporting 2.7 million passengers and 728,000 cars between Germany and Denmark. 
  • Passenger numbers increased from 2.6 million in 2023 to 2.7 million in 2024. 
  • The number of cars transported also rose, from 716,509 in 2023 to 727,978 in 2024. 
  • The busiest weekend for passengers was 19-21 July, with 146,209 passengers, while the busiest weekend for cars was 26-28 July, with 40,235 cars. 
  • Scandlines introduced a dynamic ticketing system offering lower prices for early bookings or less busy times, enhancing ferry capacity utilisation and competitiveness. 
  • A new app and licence plate scanners were launched to improve ticket booking and check-in processes. 
  • Frequent departures were offered, with crossings every half hour on the Puttgarden-Rødby route and every two hours on the Rostock-Gedser route. 
  • Passengers were more flexible in their return journeys, often travelling at various times throughout the day and night. 
  • In July 2024, Scandlines also transported 3,003 buses. 

Photo: Horst-Dieter Foerster/Scandlines 

Jul 12
2

Scandlines welcomes CEO Eric Grégoire

By | 2024 Newsletter week 28 | No Comments

Eric Grégoire started as CEO of Scandlines on 8th July. The Executive Management Team now consists of CEO Eric Grégoire, COO Michael Guldmann Jensen and CFO Mikael Koch. 

Eric Grégoire comes from a position as CEO of Goodpack Pte Ltd. in Singapore. He is an experienced business leader with a solid track record in business process improvements from several international companies such as General Electric and DuPont. 

Source: Scandlines 

Jul 12
2

Scandlines sees improvement

By | 2024 Newsletter week 28 | No Comments

Freight: After a slight but persistent negative trend in the freight sector due to geopolitical factors, Scandlines sees improvement. In the first half of 2024, truck traffic on the Rostock-Gedser route grew by 5 percent compared to the previous year, with signs of economic recovery in Denmark, Sweden, and the Benelux countries. 

Passengers in Coaches and Cars: Passenger transport in coaches on the Rostock-Gedser route increased by 5 percent in the first six months of 2024 compared to 2023. Although car traffic was slightly down in the same period, advance bookings for the summer season are promising, bolstered by the start of school holidays in Denmark. 

Passengers: The desire for group trips abroad is returning, contributing to the positive growth in bus transport. Car traffic is expected to increase significantly during the summer season, indicating a rebound in passenger numbers using Scandlines’ ferry services. 

Sustainability: Scandlines is making strides towards its sustainability goals, aiming for zero-emission ferry operations by 2030 on the Puttgarden-Rødby route and zero direct emissions by 2040. Investments include rotor sails, propeller optimizations, and the commissioning of the fully electric freight ferry “Futura” in 2024. Since 2013, EUR 400 million has been invested in these initiatives, with a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 percent by 2030 compared to 2008. 

Photo: Scandlines/Ulrich Wirrwa 

May 24
2

Scandlines selects supplier for electrification of Fehmarn Belt link

By | 2024 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Scandlines has taken a significant step towards electrifying its Puttgarden-Rødby ferry route by signing a contract with Wärtsilä on April 25, 2024. Wärtsilä will supply the electrical systems that will allow electricity to cover about 80% of the energy needed for each crossing.

This project is part of Scandlines’ larger plan, announced in late 2023, to convert two of its four ferries on this route to plug-in hybrid models. The goal is to operate the route without direct emissions by 2030 and to achieve zero direct emissions by 2040.

After a competitive tender, Scandlines selected Wärtsilä due to its extensive experience with hybrid ship retrofits, having completed numerous projects since 2012. Wärtsilä will not only supply the systems but also supervise their installation and commissioning.

The ferry conversions, set to begin in the second half of 2025, will involve replacing a diesel generator with a 5 MWh energy storage system.

Photo Matthias Tasler/Scandlines

May 17
2

Scandlines delivered solid performance in 2023

By | 2024 Newsletter week 20 | No Comments

Scandlines maintained 2023 revenue and earnings in line with 2022 levels in a challenging market environment. The ferry operator realised a record peak season for leisure, as an increased number of passengers (+5%) used Scandlines’ services (cars +3%).

Whilst freight volumes were down (-7%) from the record levels of 2022, Scandlines maintained its market share.

Scandlines maintained the positive momentum in 2023 with passengers continuing to return to the two ferry routes after years of negative impact from COVID-19 and related travel restrictions. The positive development drove moderate revenue growth of 1 percent to EUR 466 million and a solid result before tax of EUR 122 million.

Revenue from the two Germany-Denmark routes grew to EUR 369 million in 2023 from EUR 363 million in 2022 based on a solid development in total traffic volume.

Management expects revenue and profits to increase moderately in 2024 subject to realising the anticipated level of positive trends in the macro economy during 2024.

Management also expects a positive effect from the deployment of Scandlines’ new electric ferry on the Puttgarden-Rødby route in the second half of 2024.

The full annual report and the sustainability report for Scandlines Infrastructure ApS can be downloaded here.