By
Rebecca Gibson |
Stena Line transported a total of 246,000 passengers between Harwich and the Hook of Holland in the first six months of 2013, marking the largest first-half, passenger volumes since the current timetable was established six years ago.
The ferry operator welcomed an additional 14,000 passengers – an increase of six per cent – on its twice-daily, six-hour return crossings on the North Seas route.
Stena Line also achieved year-on-year growth in terms of overall vehicles in both quarters of 2013, with a 9.6 per cent lift in car numbers – equivalent to 5,000 more than in the same period in 2012 – and a 5.7 per cent in coach traffic between January and June.
“The Harwich-Hook of Holland service remains of huge strategic importance for Stena Line and we will continue to explore ways to enhance services on the route, ensuring the best possible pricing to sustain our strong growth,” said Lars Olsson, Stena Line’s general manager for travel on the North Sea.
Building on its recent success, Stena Line aims to transport more than 550,000 passengers and 120,000 cars on the six-hour route by the end of the year.
Olsson said: “Although we are mindful of the regulatory issues facing ferry travel on the North Sea and the ongoing economic challenges affecting the UK and the Eurozone, we remain confident that the hotel-like facilities onboard our Superferries, coupled with keen pricing and a convenient schedule, put us in an excellent position to achieve further growth.”