Stena Line and Gothenburg Port Authority have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing themselves to make efforts to move the ferry operator’s terminals and port operations to a new location in Arendal, in the outskirts of the harbour. The ambition is to strengthen Gothenburg as a key sustainable Nordic cargo hub, in line with the joint vision of sustainable shipping and port handling, and to support the City’s plans to develop a dense mixed-use urban area along the riverbanks. The idea is that Stena Line shall be able to take up a 25-year lease agreement latest 1 January 2027.

” We want to be a forerunner within sustainable shipping and grow together with Gothenburg. We enter the discussions on a new localisation for our port and terminals with a positive mindset because we think it can give both us and the entire trade an opportunity to speed up the transition to green operations”, says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO Stena Line.

Stena Line, the City of Gothenburg and Gothenburg Port Authority work closely together since many years. The lease agreements for the plots where Stena Line’s terminals for the ferries to Denmark and Germany are currently situated have been extended until 2035. The parties have however agreed that an earlier termination can come into play if this should be called upon by the urban development, and this is now the case because of the City’s decision to go through with the Lindholmen tunnel.

” After the Port Authority has secured the grounds as well as agreements with surrounding businesses, there is now a suitable place and a basic layout. Thus, we have together created preconditions and can continue discussing a localization that supports Stena Line’s operations, fits with the ambition of the Port Authority to consolidate operations in the outer harbour area, and at the same time gives the City access to central areas for urban development, says Elvir Dzanic, CEO Gothenburg Port Authority.