July 10, 2020
Update on face mask/face coverings on our Irish Sea and North Sea routes:
In accordance with public health guidelines it is mandatory to wear face coverings at our ports and on board our ships where social distancing is not possible.
If your freight driver is not in possession of a face mask it can be purchased onboard.
Exemptions for freight drivers:
- Freight drivers dropping or collecting unaccompanied freight units
- Whilst the freight driver is in his vehicle.
- If the freight driver needs to remove it during the journey to avoic harm or injury or the risk of harm or injury to himself or others
- If the freight driver needs to eat, drink, or take medication it is allowed to remove the face covering
- When the freight driver is in a cabin
In accordance with the latest instructions from UK and French governments it is now mandatory to wear face coverings when our vessels are in English and French territorial waters. Whilst it is not mandatory on all routes, or during all of our crossings, we strongly recommend customers and freight drivers to wear a face-mask or other form of face covering at all other times, where it is difficult to practice social distancing, in ports and onboard our ships.
Freight drivers dropping or collecting unaccompanied freight units are not required to wear face coverings.
The safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority.
June 4, 2020
Applicable for all drivers from continental EU to the UK
From 8 June new health measures to self-isolate for 14 days will be in place for entering The United Kingdom because of COVID-19. This new regulation discounts arrivals ex the Republic of Ireland.
Freight drivers are exempted from self-isolation, however they are required to and have the responsibility to complete the form on the UK Goverment’s website via this link before travelling. In addition to this, the driver will need to show that the travel is part of his job, for example a letter from the employer, a consignment note or an operator’s license.
The UK Border Force will be undertaking checks and could refuse entry to the United Kingdom. If you are refused entry to the United Kingdom, costs to return will be at your own expense.
The latest information and guidance on these measures can be found on the UK Goverment’s website here and exemptions for self-isolation here.
June 4, 2020
UPDATE to the EU Annex 3 certificate for International Transport Workers when entering the Republic of Ireland and our information below from 22 April, 27 April and 29 May. The certificate mentioned below now includes LGV drivers (light goods vehicle drivers). Please download an updated version of the form here.
This information supersedes previous advice for EU member states in respect of Green Lane / Public Health Passenger Locator Forms, shown below.
May 29, 2020
Regulations making it a legal requirement for passengers to complete a public health passenger locator forms on entry into the Republic of Ireland will be in effect from Thursday 28 May.
In relation to how the Regulations will be applied, please note the following:
1. HGV (Heavy goods vehicle) drivers are exempt entirely from completing the form; however, drivers are expected to be in possession of and to present as required the documents specified in the EU’s Green Lanes guideline (download here). These documents are; ID documentation, driving licence and a standard template letter from their employer as set out in appendix 3 of the attached guidelines
2. The regulations as currently drafted do not exempt drivers of LGV (light goods vehicles) from completion of the form. However, as these drivers are considered essential supply chain workers in line with the EU Green Lane Guidance, they are only required to complete Sections 1, 2 and 4 of the form.
Apr 27, 2020
The Irish Health Authorities have requested that anyone arriving to Ireland from another country to fill in the Public Health Passenger Locator From. It also applies for commercial drivers to fill in the form however by ticking off the form’s exemption from the need to self-isolation commercial drivers can enter Ireland without the need to self-isolate. The form is available at all check-ins and for download here.
Apr 22, 2020
The European Commission has approved a ‘Green Lane’ system for cross-border movement of freight on land and at sea to ensure the delivery of essential supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
To help ensure these travel rights are upheld internationally recognised certificates of professional competence should be considered sufficient to prove that a driver is active in international transport. In the absence of this certificate or in in case the certificate has expired the European Commission has created a template verification certificate for international transport workers which can be issued by their employers . Download the template here.
Apr 16, 2020
To prevent spreading the COVID-19 virus the Polish Government has introduced compulsory covering of mouth and nose in public places in Poland as from 16 April 2020. This also applies to the area of the ferry terminal in Gdynia. Our ferries on the route are not included in the regulations. Freight drivers are recommended to be equipped with appropriate protection in accordance with the regulations, e.g. a mask.
Update on Gdynia-Karlskrona route
As endorsed by the World Health Organization, we recommend making contactless payments with your card to minimize the risk of virus transmission on banknotes. Where possible, we also recommend online payments. We continue to accept cash, but for our common good, please make contactless card transactions.
Mar 19, 2020
The Oslo-Frederikshavn route permanently closed
Thursday 19 March 2020the Stena Line Scandinavia AB board and Stena Line Group Management took the tough but necessary decision to permanently close the route between Oslo and Frederikshavn. This measure in response to the global COVID-9 that has had a substantial effect on Stena Line’s passenger operations.
Due to the negative effect on the passenger operation caused by the Coronavirus, we have been forced to take drastic measures, reduce costs and adapt to a new business situation and to secure the continuity of the freight and transport business.
Update on Central Europe & Southeast Europe route network
Stena Line noted an intense contraction in demand of the passenger segment due to the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus associated with increased border controls, closed borders and official orders. For this reason Stena Line have been adjusted the current route network.
- In Germany the route between Trelleborg and Sassnitz is suspended from now until estimated end of May. Stena Line reserves the right to extend the suspension depended on the spread of Covid-19 and official decree. FS Sassnitz is inlay-up in the Port of Mukran.
- The four vessels on the Trelleborg-Rostock and Göteborg-Kiel route operating currently in the normal schedule, focusing on freight. Special safety measures apply onboard.
- There is no temperature check for the drivers at the moment.
Mar 18, 2020
Important update regarding to Karlskrona-Gdynia route
Given the current situation and conditions, please be advised that we will be implementing the following changes in relation to your freight bookings on our route on Karlskrona-Gdynia:
- Used unaccompanied vehicles except for trailers will not be transported
- New trade vehicles only will be transported. Cars with alcohol interlocks must be provided with an extra mouthpiece sealed up in a plastic bag
Furthermore, the following actions will be carried out in the port of Gdynia:
- All freight drivers arriving to Gdynia are subject to body temperature measurement
- In general all freight drivers are allowed to pass the Polish border without undergoing the obligatory 14-day quarantine, but in some cases the Polish Border Guard may decide to send a driver to undergo the quarantine in accordance with the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate’s decision.
The Polish Government has announced that restriction on international border crossing will be implemented as from Saturday 14 March 24.00 hrs for minimum 10 days.
The border closure does not affect the transport of goods to/from Poland. Stena Vision, Stena Sprit and Stena Baltica will be carryinng freight drivers and freight transportation
• Polish freight drivers attending their job , are excluded from 14 days quarantine
• Freight drivers from all other countries attending their job with transportation of goods to/from Poland are allowed to enter Poland
Mar 13, 2020
The Danish Prime Minister has announced to close all Denmark’s border as from 14 February 2020 12.00hrs.
All Danish borders will be closed as from 14 February 2020 and until 13 April 2020 and therefore all flights, ferries and train transportation will be closed or partly closed to provide the spread of the Corona virus.
The restrictions do NOT apply to freight drivers and the goods transportation, which means that all transport deliveries of goods, e.g. food, medicine and all necessary goods to the industry will still be allowed to be transported with Stena Line’s ferries.
Below information includes the actions we have taken to follow the official authority’s regulations and recommendations and to make sure to support freight customers and freight drivers in the best possible way.
Freight Drivers
In an extraordinary situation like this we rely on the manuals and routines we have for this kind of situation. Our crews are trained for many different types of situations, including diseases. In addition to that:
- We are in touch with local authorities in the 10 countries we are operating in and ensure to follow regulations and recommendations from them and established health organisations.
- On-board our ships and in our terminals, we are taking precautionary measures to prevent any spread of the Coronavirus including:
o Increased the frequency of preventive cleaning and disinfection of “Hand Contact Point Hotspots” such as door handles, access touch pads, telephones. These are sanitized after each sailing and/or at least three times a day on longer crossings.
o Increased possibilities for hand wash and disinfection placed in our public areas.
o Information on hygienic measures based on the World Health Organisation’s guidelines. - Stena Line’s employees on-board are trained how to deal with suspected cases of illness and our ships are equipped with medical equipment.
- Customers are requested not to send any drivers onboard our vessels if the driver has visited/been in quarantine areas, hence having a risk of spreading the virus. This also applies for drivers not displaying any symptoms. At any time, we will reserve our right to refuse travel.
- Drivers will be accommodated in single cabins as far as circumstances may permit but cannot be guaranteed. Local variations may apply on certain routes.
- The local authorities’ regulations regarding gathering in larger groups DO NOT currently apply to our ferries.
- Please note that we on certain routes have implemented temperature control for Freight Drivers. Contact our Freight Customer Support offices for further information.
- Please note that rules and conditions in relation travelling onboard our vessels may be subject to change at short notice.
Freight Companies
- Unless there is a direct travel ban from the official authorities we will keep sailing.
- Currently, our network is open to all the destinations we cover on our 20 routes. Should any changes be necessary we will immediately update our website with current traffic information to give you the best service possible.
- Please also note that all schedules may be subject to change at short notice.
Please also visit https://www.stenaline.com/coronavirus-information/ where we will keep you updated of any changes to the current situation that come to our knowledge.
We do hope that you agree with us when expressing the importance of all of us taking a responsibility in this difficult situation.
Should you have any questions about your shipments with us, please feel free to contact your local sales representative or via the links mentioned in this information.
Thank you for your support.