Finnlines Plc, Press release, Rostock, 11 July 2025
Finnlines continues to strengthen its position in European logistics through its services, moderns vessels, and specialised routes like Hanko–Rostock. With focus on flexibility, sustainability, and reliability the company meets growing demands across the continent.
Finnlines provides 170 weekly departures to various destinations across Europe. Finnlines’ business areas include the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Bay of Biscay. The customer-oriented liner services, along with Finnlines’ owner’s, the Grimaldi Group’s global network, offer wide-reaching maritime connections to customers.
Growth and service development
Finnlines operates in Germany from the ports of Rostock and Travemünde, with connections to Finland, Sweden, Denmark and, via transshipment, the UK, Belgium, Spain, Poland and Ireland.
Three Star-class vessels operate daily between Travemünde and Helsinki. In addition to these, Finnlines operates ro-ro vessels on the Travemünde–Helsinki line and offers a round-trip service covering Travemünde, Helsinki and Hanko in Finland and Århus in Denmark.
The Rostock service has now been streamlined, with the Finnish connection centralised in Hanko. Finnlines offers four weekly departures between Rostock and Hanko. Notably, both Rostock and Hanko are specialised in car transports. The combination of port infrastructure and Finnlines’ vessels, equipped with hoistable car decks, guarantees flexible and high-quality service for automotive logistics.
Moreover, military and aid transports on the Hanko–Rostock route have increased, and Finnlines expects this trend to continue. Project cargo has also become a valuable addition to the regular trailer volumes, further strengthening the route’s versatility.
“Centralising traffic in Hanko has diversified our cargo volumes. Hanko effectively serves the broader Southwest Finland region, handling a wide range of cargo – from trailers, cars, and paper to military and aid shipments,” says Torkel Saarnio, Finnlines’ Line Manager.
A hub for intermodal transportation
The Baltic Sea region, particularly Finnlines’ German ports in Rostock and Travemünde, has evolved into a vital hub for intermodal transportation in Europe. These ports benefit from strong rail and road connections, enhancing cargo flow and efficiency. Sustainable development goals, continued infrastructure improvements, and supportive transport policies are expected to increase the popularity and viability of intermodal solutions.
“Rostock’s excellent rail connections complement our services and support intermodal transport operations, where we see strong growth potential. By continuing to invest in infrastructure, we can deliver efficient and environmentally friendly transport solutions that meet the evolving logistical demands of the future. As sustainable values gain importance and operational costs rise, businesses are increasingly turning to smarter, greener logistics for long-term success,” says Torkel Saarnio, Finnlines’ Line Manager.
Finnlines expressly welcomes the excellent news regarding European funding. The company is very pleased about the announcement of €14.8 million in EU support for the joint HARBOUR project between the ports of Rostock and Hanko, granted under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The project, running from 2025 to 2027, aims to expand maritime connections and port infrastructure in close cooperation with Finnlines, responding to the growing demand in freight transport. In Rostock, nearly €14 million will be invested to improve port handling capacity, including the creation of new pre-stowage areas and the extension of rail tracks within the intermodal terminal – 50% of which is co-financed by the EU.
Reliable logistics for European industry
Finnlines specialises in freight transport and continues to reinforce its position as a key maritime service provider between Finland and Continental Europe. Its extensive line network ensures reliable and regular sea connections, supporting both the European industry’s export demands and the essential import of goods for security of supply.
With seamless integration into the global Grimaldi network, Finnlines enables efficient and environmentally responsible logistic solutions for businesses across Europe.
Finnlines invests in new vessels
Continuous investments in the fleet are an integral part of Finnlines’ strategy to provide even better services to our customers.
Finnlines will strengthen its Finland–Germany connections by introducing three new vessels between 2028 and 2029. The design of the new “Hansa Superstar” vessels is based on Finnlines’ Superstar class vessels, Finnsirius and Finncanopus, but will be adapted to the needs of the Finland–Germany route. The new vessels designated for the Baltic Sea, will be 240 metres long, with a cargo capacity of 5,100 lane metres for rolling freight plus 90 cars, and accommodation in 320 cabins for up to 1,100 passengers.
With the arrival of the new vessels, the current Star-class vessels operating on the line will be redeployed to strengthen and service the company's other routes.
For more information or assistance, please contact your Finnlines Customer Service or Sales representative.
Additional information
Torkel Saarnio, Line Manager, Finnlines Plc
torkel.saarnio@finnlines.com, +358 50 565 5397
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Finnlines Plc
Finnlines is a leading shipping operator of freight and passenger services in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Bay of Biscay. The company is a part of the Grimaldi Group, one of the world’s largest operators of ro-ro vessels and the largest operator of the Motorways of the Sea in Europe for both passengers and freight. This affiliation enables Finnlines to offer liner services to and from any destination in the Mediterranean, West Africa, North and South America as well as Asia and Australia.