Its subsidiary, the ferry line Destination Gotland, has handed back the 2006-built high-speed craft, which now awaits either charter or selling.

In all probability, the move means that there won't be any high-season traffic between Visby on the island of Gotland and Västervik on the Swedish mainland this year.

"Destination Gotland now has three big ro-paxes for Gotland's traffic, so they returned Gotlandia II to Gotland Company. We are developing our hydrogen-powered concept ships; thus, we see no role Gotlandia II could fulfil in the group any longer," Håkan Johansson, Gotland Company's CEO, commented.

He also underlined, "She is a fine vessel that was ahead of her times and which served Gotland well. We believe there are good chances that another shipowner will have a suitable role for her [...]."

The Visby-Västervik summer service was reinstalled in 2016 by Gotlandsbåten and since 2017 has been operated by Destination Gotland, except for the pandemic summer of 2020. Destination Gotland denies that the crossing will now be shut permanently. However, the company also says it doesn't know what shape it will take after removing Gotlandia II.

Another high-speed craft of Gotland Company, the 1999-built Gotlandia, has been out of service for the past four years. Her owners have also been looking to charter or sell her - or even send Gotlandia to the breakers.

Source: Sjöfartstidningen

Photo: Gotland Company