Stena Line Strengthens Connection Between Lübeck Port and Latvia

The Lübeck Port Authority (LHG) welcomes a new ship at its docks. The Swedish shipping company Stena Line has recently added the ‘Stena Vinga’ between Lübeck and the Latvian Liepāja, thereby strengthening its network. This allows for more sailings to be made.

(Lübeck) The RoPax ship complements the vessels ‘Urd’ and ‘Stena Gothica’ at the LHG terminal Skandinavienkai. As a result, the shipping company is able to offer seven departures per week in each direction; previously, there were five. The ‘Vinga’ provides not only 1500 loading meters but also space for up to 400 passengers. Currently, it is reserved for truck drivers. The ship docks at berth 5.

The increased capacity reflects the rising volumes between Germany and the Baltic States as well as Russia. This also benefits the transport of new vehicles: For April and May, up to 500 vehicles per week are expected at Skandinavienkai, destined for the Baltic States.

Close Cooperation with the Port of Liepāja

The LHG has maintained a close cooperation with the Port of Liepāja for years. Janis Lapins, head of the Liepāja Special Economic Zone (LSEZ), comments: “Increasing the number of departures to seven per week gives the ferry traffic between our port locations further momentum. In the first quarter, the cargo volume, including new vehicles, between Liepāja and Lübeck has increased by more than 40 percent. We see this development as a result of our infrastructure expansion at the site.” Additional crossings would contribute to further strengthening the cooperation between the Port of Liepāja and the LHG.

LHG Managing Director Sebastian Jürgens adds: “A logical step that we naturally welcome. We are embracing this trend and want to further expand our collaboration with our Latvian partners, connecting even better. To this end, we plan to establish a ‘German-Latvian Port Day’ after the pandemic.” For Finland, a similar event has been held in the fall for years, which enjoyed growing popularity until the lockdown.

Photo: © LHG / Tim Becker