Hybrid Newbuildings Lift Scandlines

German-Danish ferry operator Scandlines saw an increase in revenue and profits in 2016 as passenger and cargo volumes grew on the Rostock-Gedser and the Puttgarden-Rødby routes.

The year was characterised by significant investment, Scandlines said, as well as the commissioning of the two new hybrid ferries on the Rostock-Gedser route and the upgrading of port facilities.

Group revenue grew by 2 percent to EUR 470 million in 2016 from EUR 460 million in 2015.

Scandlines’ ferries on the Rostock-Gedser and Puttgarden-Rødby routes increased revenue from continuing operations by 3 percent to EUR 333 million, as compared to EUR 323 million in 2015 due to volume growth and despite slightly declining prices, while bordershop revenue was unchanged at EUR 137 million.

In 2016, the group’s ferries transported a total of 7.6 million passengers, 1.8 million cars and 0.6 million freight units. Freight traffic increased by 16 percent, and total passengers increased by 10 percent on the Rostock-Gedser route following the commissioning of the two new hybrid ferries.

“After a decade of hard work and significant investment, we have successfully transformed Scandlines from a state-owned ferry operator with multiple routes to a highly specialised and efficient traffic machine operating two high-frequency routes between Germany and Denmark. Today, Scandlines is a crucial piece of infrastructure securing the central transport corridors between our two countries as well as Continental Europe and Scandinavia,” said Scandlines’ CEO Søren Poulsgaard Jensen.

Looking ahead, Scandlines expects moderate revenue growth and improved profitability in 2017 based on the completed capacity expansion on the Rostock-Gedser route and stable operations on the Puttgarden-Rødby route and in the group’s bordershops.

“Our efforts and investment of around EUR 320 million over the last three years have cemented our competitiveness for years to come, and our long-term strategy is sustainable after the planned opening of the Fehmarn Belt tunnel in more than a decade from now. We welcome the additional competition from the tunnel, although we continue to communicate our legitimate expectations that applicable German, Danish and EU legislation is respected,” Jensen said.