Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

1 3 2 INTERV IEW A symbol of close cooperation Justin Merrigan asks Michael Guldmann Petersen how Scandlines is continuing to provide vital transport between Scandinavia and Continental Europe despite the Covid-19 crisis E stablished in 1998 by a merger of Denmark and Germany’s largest national ferry companies, Scandlines operates two ferry routes between the two countries with high capacity and frequency, as well as with a commendable green vision for the future. Overseeing the daily operations of a ferry business with more than 41,500 departures on eight ships is a challenge managed by Michael Guldmann Petersen who joined the company in 2017 and became chief operational officer in 2018. He also became a member of the board of directors for Scandlines Deutschland the same year. In 2019, Scandlines transported 7.2 million passengers, 1.7 million cars and around 700,000 freight units on the routes between Puttgarden and Rødby, and Rostock and Gedser. However, in mid-March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic forced authorities to close the borders between Germany and Denmark and implement temporary restrictions for travellers wishing to enter the countries. While it has been a challenging time for ferry operators around the world, Scandlines is in a better position than most. “Both countries agreed that activities crucial to society must not be ground to a halt,” says Guldmann Petersen. “The entry restrictions took into consideration the need for chains of supply to be upheld in a way that did not – as far as possible – prevent companies from receiving goods from foreign countries or exporting goods to foreign countries. “With daily transportation of important goods, such as medicine and food, between Continental Europe and Scandinavia, Scandlines is part of this crucial infrastructure. Thus, we continued to operate according to schedule on our two routes between Germany and Denmark.” The borders reopened in mid-June but with the second wave of Covid-19 last autumn, new travel restrictions were enforced again. “We have been, and continue to be, under significant pressure, and we received “ We invest responsibly in tomorrow’s technology, leading the way towards a greener future” Photo: Annemarie Zinck