Stena Line and the Swedish Transport Administration have signed an agreement to maintain train ferry traffic between Trelleborg and Rostock until 31 December 2031. Stena Line has operated the Trelleborg-Rostock route since 1998 with two train ferries, M/S Skåne and M/S Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
The Swedish Transport Administration said the state is stepping in because train ferry traffic has become commercially difficult to maintain. Since the opening of the Öresund Bridge, most rail freight between Sweden and continental Europe has moved through Denmark instead of using ferry routes.
The Trelleborg-Rostock service remains relevant for rail freight that cannot use the Öresund corridor because of weight and loading gauge restrictions on Danish and German tracks. It also gives Sweden an alternative rail freight route to Germany if the fixed connection via Öresund is disrupted.
The agreement also has a defence dimension. The Swedish Transport Administration said the service supports military mobility for the Swedish Armed Forces and NATO, including Sweden’s ability to provide and receive host nation support.
Germany is Sweden’s largest trading partner. The continued operation of the Trelleborg-Rostock train ferry preserves a direct rail-capable maritime route for freight flows between the two countries where the fixed rail route through Denmark is not suitable.
