Swedish ferry operator Stena Line has launched a new ferry route between Sweden’s Halmstad and Denmark’s Grenaa.

The day before this new route started operating on 1 February, Stena Line shut down the previous Varberg-Grenaa route.

The Stena Nautica ferry started its journey on the new route from Grenaa and reached Halmstad at 1pm local time. Denmark Transport minister Benny Engelbrecht also joined the ferry on its maiden journey.

The opening ceremony was attended by Stena CEO and owner Dan Sten Olsson, Sweden Infrastructure minister Tomas Eneroth, Halland governor Lena Sommestad and Engelbrecht.

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The 135m-long Stena Nautica ship that will be operating on the route was manufactured in 1986. It can accommodate 1,265 lane meters and 900 passengers.

The journey takes 4 hours and 35 minutes one way and Stena Nautica will undertake up to two departures each day.

Stena Line aims to double passenger and freight volumes in the next five years.

Stena Line Travel group head Tony Michelsen said: “This new route strengthens the connections between our two countries and from a freight perspective we believe there is a lot of potential to carry more trailers from Denmark to Sweden.

“Between both destinations on either side of the Kattegat we will create a great travel experience for our passengers now and for years to come.”

Furthermore, Stena Line’s newest E-Flexer Stena Estrid ferry began its service on the Irish Sea route between Dublin, Ireland, and Holyhead, UK, on 13 January.

Its recently delivered sister ship Stena Edda will begin operations on the Liverpool-Belfast route in the UK in the middle of this year.

The third Stena Embla vessel is slated to begin operations on the same route early next year.

In December, Stena Line partnered with Semcon to develop a data management solution to boost the sustainability, efficiency and profitability of its fleet.