As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the ferry service in question, operated by Stena Line, initially suspended on 14 March, is going to be scratched altogether.

According to the shipping line, the so-called 'King's Line' - running since April 1897 - has over the past years lost a considerable portion of its freight traffic. Around 300k/year people have been using the line to travel between Germany and Sweden, but now, due to national anti-COVID-19 lockdown measures, passenger traffic has also run dry.

Following the closure of the service, Stena Line will also wind up its shop in Sassnitz. The ferry Sassnitz will remain laid up in the German seaport for the time being.

"Planning to close down the 'King's Line,' one of the oldest ferry services in Europe, is an extremely sad event. […] Because of COVID-19 we're going to lose the entire high season this year and it seems highly unlikely that passenger traffic will come back anytime soon. It all makes it impossible to continue running the business across a line which is overwhelmingly dependent on passenger volumes," Niclas Mårtensson, CEO, Stena Line, said.

Photo: Stena Line