Stena Line discontinues ferry service between Sweden and Denmark
End of the Halmstad-Grenaa route in April 2026
The Swedish shipping company Stena Line will discontinue the ferry connection between Halmstad in Sweden and Grenaa in Denmark. The last regular day of operation is April 30, 2026, until which date Stena Nautica will continue to sail across the Kattegat as scheduled.
The Swedish shipping company Stena Line will discontinue the ferry service between Halmstad in Sweden and Grenaa in Denmark on April 30, 2026. Stena Nautica will continue to cross the Kattegat as scheduled until April 30, 2026.
Why Stena Line is closing the route
According to Stena Line, the lack of profitability of the connection over a longer period of time is the main reason. The route was under heavy pressure from fixed bridge connections to and within Denmark. This was compounded by rising costs, a difficult market environment and a generally weak economic situation.
According to the shipping company, various measures were examined in order to maintain the route. However, due to the permanently low demand, economic operation was no longer possible.
The Stena Nautica remains in service until the end
The “Stena Nautica” will continue to operate the Grenaa – Halmstad Ferry until the end of April 2026, after which the ferries on this route will be completely discontinued. The ship has been in service on this route for many years and will remain the only ferry in operation until it is discontinued.
Background to the Kattegat connection
In 2020, Stena Line took over the route and moved the Swedish port from Varberg to Halmstad. The aim was to better connect the route to the road network. Despite these adjustments, however, the route was unable to develop stably in the long term.
Stena Line remains strong in the Baltic and North Sea region
Even after the discontinuation of the Halmstad-Grenaa route, Stena Line remains one of the most important ferry companies in Northern Europe. The shipping company continues to operate numerous other routes, including:
- Frederikshavn – Gothenburg
- Kiel – Gothenburg
- Rostock – Trelleborg
- Gdynia – Karlskrona
- Ventspils – Nynäshamn
- Umeå – Vaasa
What does that mean for you as a traveler?
If you want to travel between Sweden and Denmark, you can use alternative ferry connections. The Gothenburg-Frederikshavn route in particular continues to offer a stable and well-developed connection between the two countries.
