Karlskrona - Gdynia cooperation

Ferry traffic between Karlskrona and Gdynia has a long tradition. Already in the 1930s there was a ferry connection between the cities. Following the Second World War and later the Iron Curtain cut off the contacts. During 1980-1981 the "Polkalinjen" traffic between Karlskrona and Gdańsk was maintained. After the fall of the Iron Curtain Karlskrona worked hard to reintroduce the ferry service to Gdynia. In 1995 Stena Line, via its subsidiaries' Lion Ferry, established a ferry connection. Since 1998 the line is operated under the name Stena Line.

In June 1998, a new ferry terminal at Verkö in Karlskrona was inaugurated, as the ferry port in central Karlskrona became too small. Stena Line has continually adapted the tonnage according to the development of the traffic and in November 2010 the 'Stena Vision' was put into service to meet the growing demand for transport. In summer this year, her sister ship'Stena Spirit'will replace the' Stena Baltica'. Today Stena Line has two departures every day from each port. Good communication links have positively contributed to a well-developed cooperation between Karlskrona and Gdynia in many areas. Particularily the cooperation between schools, in the cultural sector and in tourism should be mentioned.

The good cooperation between Karlskrona and Gdynia, their ports, and work of the Swedish 'Baltic-Link Association' and the Polish 'Amber Road Cities Association' have contributed greatly to the EU project "Baltic-Link Motorways of the Sea". The EU supports the development of the infrastructure to and from the ports of Karlskrona and Gdynia, especially the rail infrastructure, to promote more environmentally friendly transportation. Another result of the project is that the ferry service is now included in the prioritised part of the Trans-European Transport Network. The project is scheduled for completion in 2013.