Stena Line Event at Hanse Sail in Rostock 2025

08 August 2025

Stena Line invited stakeholders to inform about its rail ferry service between Port of Rostock and Trelleborg. As part of the exclusive programme, participants had the rare opportunity to step behind the scenes of maritime logistics, including a special rail ferry visit and live loading demonstration.

Technical details

The Hanse Sail in Rostock is one of the world’s largest gatherings of traditional sailing ships and museum vessels. Each year, around 200 participating ships – joined by cruise liners, ferries, and naval vessels – create a vibrant maritime world exhibition along the Baltic coast.

Stena Line made use of this unique setting and invited transport stakeholders to inform about Blue Supply Chains achievements and how to strengthen its rail-ferry service between Rostock and Trelleborg in particular. The rail ferry supports in building resilient transport corridors between Scandinavia and Central Europe, which is more important then ever. Further, participants learned about the current situation and challenges:

Infrastructure Dependence: The rail ferry relies on three fully operational components – port, ship, and terminal – with the port segment being the most cost-intensive in terms of maintenance, operation, and space requirements.
Ongoing Upgrades in Rostock: Major infrastructure projects, partly funded by the EU, are renewing track switches to the ferry berth. Further urgent investments in the central switch system (likely in the seven-figure range) are planned.
Trelleborg Improvements Needed: Upgrades to rail sidings and marshalling areas are required to handle modern freight trains up to 1,400 t and 750 m in length. Electrification, shunting yard expansion, heavy-duty rails, reinforced quay structures, and adjustable linkspans are also necessary.
Aging Vessels: The ships operating on the route are aging, and replacement decisions remain pending.
Geopolitical Importance: With Sweden and Finland joining NATO in 2024, the Rostock–Trelleborg rail ferry has gained strategic relevance for military logistics, offering redundancy in case of disruptions to fixed links such as the Fehmarn Belt or Øresund crossings.

A highlight was the rare opportunity to step behind the scenes of maritime logistics, including a special rail ferry visit and live loading demonstration of trains into the ferry!