Fourth vessel to be introduced on Gdynia-Karlskrona route
After this summer a fourth vessel will be joining the route between Gdynia and Karlskrona. The decision is based on continuous strong growth within the freight business. In 2016 the number of freight units on the route increased significantly and in the first five months in 2017 the growth continues.“Our route between Poland and Sweden is strategically important to us and an integral part of the infrastructure linking the Central part of Europe with Scandinavia. Over these last few years we have experienced extremely positive volume development and we believe this will continue”, says Marek Kiersnowski, Trade Director – responsible for Stena Line’s operation between Poland and Sweden.
The vessel that will be introduced is Gute – a time-charter from Gotlandsbolaget. The vessel will complement Stena Vision, Stena Spirit and Stena Baltica with the major focus on Stena Line’s freight operation.
The introduction of the m.v. Gute will add 8 trips a week and the vessel has a freight capacity of 865 lane metres. Securing additional space for Freight customers during the peak travel season, when most of the ferry routes are very busy, a decision has been taken to increase the frequency with four additional trips from the end of June to the end of August. After these changes the weekly frequency on the route will increase from 36 trips in spring to 40 trips in summer season and 44 trips after the introduction of Gute.
“We see continued strong demand for extra capacity and for our customers it is very important that we have availability and flexibility, and these developments are in line with our growth strategy. Gute will be a great addition to our fleet leading to a timetable more adaptable to our freight customers ensuring the best possible service and maintaining our strong market position with the Baltic Port in Karlskrona and the new terminal in Gdynia which are important hubs for both freight and passengers,” says Marek Kiersnowski.
The ro-ro Gute enters into operation on the Gdynia-Karlskrona route on the 28th of August.
Gute is already familiar with routes from Poland. In August 2000 it was chartered by Polish Baltic Shipping Company (Polska Żegluga Bałtycka – PŻB) for a period of six months. The charter commenced early October. The ship opened a new Polferries connection Świnoujście- Trelleborg. However the ship was taken off the route late November. The charter has been terminated early, allegedly because of problems with payments from PŻB.
The ship, built in 1979, was upgraded in 2004 at “Nauta” shiprepair yard in Gdynia. The main part of the upgrade was lengthening the ship with 20,30 m long insert.
rel (Stena Line), PBS
Gute – principal characteristics:
Gdynia – Karlskrona trip duration : 14 hours
IMO no. 7802794
year of build – 1979
building yard – Falkenbergs varv Ab, Falkenberg, Sweden (yard no. 175)
length OA – 138.70 m
length BP – 130.30 m
moulded breadth – 16.50 m
depth to main deck – 4.45 m
depth to upper deck – 11.45 m
draught – 4.30 m
gross tonnage – 7616
net tonnage – 2285
deadweight – 3652 t
ro-ro lane length – 865 m
main engine – B&W Alpha 12U28LU
main propulsion power – 4687 kW
service speed – 16.5 knots
