Stena Line posts record H1 volumes to Holland
Stena Line carried more passengers and cars on its Harwich-Hook of Holland route in the first six months of 2012 than during any first-half period since the launch of the current timetable, five years ago.
The ferry operator increased overall number of passengers across the North Sea for the January-June period by 1.9 per cent and numbers of cars by 1.7 per cent. The numbers represent a total year-on-year increase of 4,000 passengers and 800 cars.
The company achieved particularly strong results in the rail and sail ‘dutchflyer’ sector, where it increased numbers by 7 per cent.
The Q2 results were stable, with 0.6 per cent growth in car numbers and a 0.7 drop in overall passenger numbers. Numbers of ‘dutchflyer’ passengers in the April-June period were particularly robust, with 11 per cent growth. Since February 2012 Stena Line has worked with rail operator Greater Anglia, which provides the train service from East Anglian stations to Harwich International.
Lars Olsson, Stena Line’s general manager for travel on the North Sea, said: “Stena Line is very pleased to see efforts to sustain growth on the North Sea route to Holland paying off. We’re acutely aware of the difficult market conditions and have worked smartly to strengthen demand, despite the context of a slip into the UK’s first double-dip recession since the 1970s.
“We invested more than £375 million in our new North Sea Superferries in 2010 so continued growth is of paramount importance. Stena Line expects the sea transport sector to remain volatile throughout 2012 so will redouble its efforts, notably around the 50th anniversary of the company’s founding, this September.”
Stena Line operates twice-daily six-hour return crossings between Harwich and the Hook of Holland, with fares starting from £59 one-way for an adult and car. Fares for Stena Line’s dutchflyer rail and sail tickets start from £39 one-way, including Harwich-Hook of Holland crossing and onwards rail travel to any Dutch station.
To make a booking visit stenaline.co.uk, call Stena Line on 08447 70 70 70, or visit your local travel agent
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