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Ferry delays continue following collision

Disruptions in ferry traffic between the island of Gotland and the Swedish mainland will continue following the Thursday collision of two passenger ferries near the port of Nynäshamn off Sweden's east coast.

Published: 25 July 2009 10:23 CEST

Ferry delays continue following collision

On Friday, several departures were cancelled and the shipping company has announced continued delays.

Trips between Öland and Visby as well as Oskarshamn and Visby were cancelled on Friday. Four departures were to be cancelled on Saturday, causing severe delays for thousands of passengers.

The MS Gotlandia, which was involved in the collision, ran as usual on Friday.

“Things are looking pretty good….Now we are running on a normal schedule. Those whose trips were cancelled have hopefully been able to take later departures,” said Jan-Erik Rosengren, managing director of Destination Gotland.

He said that a decision will be made over the weekend regarding the schedule for next week, but they may have to cancel additional trips.

Around 5,000 to 6,000 travelling between Nynäshamn-Visby and Oskarshamn-Visby were stranded after the accident and faced delays of up to ten hours.

Around 1,900 passengers were onboard when the collision occurred. Five people sustained mild injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. An additional ten individuals went into shock and received medical attention.

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Denmark offers cheap trains and free ferries to boost domestic tourism

A ferry leaves Kulhuse harbour on the way to Sølager. Photo: Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix

As part of a 1.65bn kroner “summer package” agreed by a broad majority of parliamentary parties, the government is bringing back a scheme through which ferry operators will offer free trips to Denmark’s smaller islands, and also between Bornholm and the Swedish city of Ystad for cyclists, pedestrians and handicapped drivers.

“There is no doubt that last year’s free ferry journeys were a great success,” Benny Engelbrecht, Denmark’s Minister of Transport, said in a press release. “Over a million passengers took advantage of the offer last summer, and I am therefore satisfied that the parties to the agreement have agreed to offer Danes those opportunities again this year.”

Unlike in last year’s summer package, ferry operators will be able to decide which departures are free, which is aimed at ensuring that the ferries do not become so crowded that the local islanders cannot travel.

The government is also bringing back the popular Travel Pass or Rejsepas, which will be valid between June 27th and August 9th, and will allow holders unlimited travel on DSB and Arriva trains, and on buses, metro services, local rail and light rail across the country.

The pass will cost 399 kroner for adults and 199 kroner for those between the ages of 12 and 15 years old. According to a press release from the Ministry of Transport, 66,000 Travel Passes will be issued.’

The package was agreed between the Social Democratic government, its support parties the Social Liberal Party, Socialist Left Party and Red-Green Alliance, and with the opposition Liberal, Danish People’s Party, Conservative Party and the Alternativet party.

Restaurants will also be able to apply for grants of up to 35,000 kroner to provide discounts or hold activities to attract tourists.

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