Stena Line to move service from Majnabbe terminal at the Port of Gothenburg
The Masthugget Terminal would be around well into the future and would be opened up to the people of Gothenburg and become an integral part of the urban landscape. The Sweden-Germany ferry service would be moved from Majnabbe to the outer areas of the port on Hisingen. This is the potential outcome of the new agreement that the Port of Gothenburg is hoping to reach with Stena Line, the port of Gothenburg said in its press release.
"Stena Line is one of the port's biggest customers and a major employer in Gothenburg. With 1.7 million passengers each year, it generates annual tourist revenue of 700 million kronor for Western Sweden. Finding a solution that is acceptable to everyone in the long-term is vital, not only for the port and for Stena Line but also for the whole of Gothenburg," said Ulrica Messing, Chair of the Gothenburg Port Authority.
Stena Line's current agreement for the Masthugget Terminal runs out in 2019 and for the Majnabbe Terminal in 2024. Both areas are included in the RiverCity development project. The Port of Gothenburg, Stena Line and a number of City of Gothenburg administrations have examined alternative sites for Stena Line ferry operations.
The original plan – bringing together all traffic at Majnabbe – was abandoned in the spring. A study showed that the investment cost would be prohibitive as the area would need to be redeveloped completely. A further difficulty lies in securing permits for the substantial increase in traffic that would arise and the impact this would have on local residents on both sides of the river.
"The best alternative that emerged during the course of the enquiry is for ferry traffic to Denmark, which is more dependent on a central location, to remain in Masthugget for longer whilst the transfer of ferry traffic to Germany from Majnabbe to the outer areas of the port is brought forward," said Ulrica Messing.
The new agreement will lean towards traffic to Denmark remaining at Masthugget until 2035 although this does not exclude the possibility of terminating the agreement at some point after 2025 if the area is needed for development.
A key element in this new direction is making the terminal more accessible to the people of Gothenburg.
Magnus Kårestedt, Port of Gothenburg chief executive, said: "The terminal will be integrated more closely into the urban landscape and become a hub and a meeting point for the city, the river and the people. Design proposals will be produced and presented by Stena Line in the near future."
The Stena Line service between Gothenburg and Kiel in Germany would switch from its present location at Majnabbe to the outer areas of the port as soon as this is feasible. The Majnabbe agreement would be shortened and run until 2020 although the move could very well take place within the next 12-18 months.
Magnus Kårestedt explained: "Our assessment is that the service to Germany would benefit from being located in the outer areas, where there are terminals with rail links and other infrastructure elements that would make it easier for Stena Line's freight traffic. As regards passenger traffic, the majority of passengers travel by car and are not as dependent on a central location."
When the ferries leave Majnabbe an entirely new district could emerge between Klippan and Fiskhamnen.
"It is a large, central area which within a few years could develop into a highly attractive and cohesive residential and recreation area," said Magnus Kårestedt.
