Schleswig-holstein Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On the morning of August 23, 2026, the Scandlines ferry 'Schleswig-Holstein' departed from its usual Puttgarden route, making its way to Klaipėda for a significant refurbishment. Arriving on August 24, this impressive project comes with an investment exceeding 25 million Euros. The upcoming renovations will not only enhance the aesthetics of the passenger areas but also transform the vessel into a plug-in hybrid ferry, primarily relying on electricity sourced from land charging to meet its energy requirements. Scandlines has dedicated several years to planning this innovative project. During the ferry's stay at the shipyard, the company will ensure the continuity of services on the Puttgarden-Rødby route, utilizing its remaining four ferries. Notably, decks 5 and 6 will undergo a complete redesign, introducing new dining, café, and retail options. Exciting plans also include the development of an outdoor area featuring a playground on the sun deck, alongside modernized sanitary facilities aimed at enhancing passenger comfort. The German Ministry of Transport has backed the 'Schleswig-Holstein' conversion with financial support under the initiative for “Sustainable Modernisation of Coastal Ships.” This critical upgrade aligns with Scandlines' ambitious objective of achieving zero direct emissions by the year 2040. The 'Schleswig-Holstein' is one of two vessels designated to operate as plug-in hybrid ferries on the Puttgarden-Rødby route, with its return anticipated by the end of the year.

On the afternoon of June 7, 2017, the 'Schleswig Holstein' became the first Scandlines ferry to resume operations after a temporary suspension triggered by a bomb threat received via telephone. Initially, the ferry was operating without any passengers or vehicles on board. Shortly after, the 'Deutschland' arrived from Rødby, while the 'Berlin' also resumed its services in Gedser. Both ferry routes—Puttgarden to Rødby and Rostock to Gedser—had been affected by the alert. At Puttgarden, the ferries 'Kronprins Frederik', which transports hazardous goods, and 'Prins Richard' were held docked and thoroughly screened for explosives after being unloaded. Danish police implemented safety measures, which included searching ferries at both Rødby and Gedser following credible tips that warranted a thorough investigation. Passengers were discreetly evacuated from the ferries operating between Rødby and Puttgarden on Fehmarn and those traveling from Gedser to Rostock. The evacuations proceeded calmly and without incident. By late afternoon, the 'Copenhagen' was docked in Rostock, while the 'Deutschland' remained at the quay in Rødby, as local authorities advised that both it and the 'Prinsesse Benedikte' could not depart due to the ongoing situation. A steering committee from the water police in Travemünde was established to assess the situation, working closely with Danish authorities to determine next steps. The travel interruption led to significant disruptions, with all rail connections in Puttgarden canceled by evening, resulting in long lines of cars and trucks accumulating at the ferry terminal and surrounding parking areas, which were nearing full capacity.

In a significant development for the ferry sector, private equity consortiums 3i and Allianz Capital Partners have received three provisional bids for their ferry company, Scandlines. According to insiders, all offers were submitted by the Friday deadline on April 5, 2023, and are reportedly from private equity investors. Scandlines, which operates as the leading ferry service in the southern Baltic, serves approximately 12 million travelers each year. In October, 3i and ACP enlisted the expertise of Goldman Sachs and ING to manage the sale process, aiming for a valuation of up to 1.4 billion euros (equivalent to $1.80 billion). Notable firms such as Apollo, Axa Private Equity, and Nordic Capital have expressed interest in acquiring Scandlines, although it remains uncertain which of these companies may have submitted bids. Stay tuned for further developments.

On the morning of June 22, 2011, a truck fire erupted on the ferry 'Schleswig-Holstein' moments after it departed from Puttgarden en route to Roedby. A vigilant deckhand performing routine checks on the car deck noticed the blaze and quickly intervened to extinguish it. The incident was traced back to a malfunctioning cooling unit of a Dutch semi-trailer. Fortunately, no damages to other vehicles were reported, allowing the ferry to continue its journey to Denmark without further incident. In the aftermath, the Puttgarden water police launched an investigation into the driver, suspecting endangerment of maritime traffic. Furthermore, the Federal Institute of Maritime Casualty Investigation has requested a detailed report regarding the event.