On a morning cruise from Sweden, the three millionth passenger since the establishment of regular international passenger traffic arrived at the port of Ventspils. It was Dainis Bužs, the owner of a construction company. He currently lives in Riga but originally comes from Madona.
Jānis Vītoliņš, the Chairman of Ventspils City Council, representatives of the ferry operator Stena Line, and Igors Udodovs, Deputy CEO of the Freeport of Ventspils, came to greet the three millionth passenger of the port of Ventspils. At an unusually early hour, the sounds of melody echoed in the ferry passenger terminal, and in a relaxed ambiance, the three millionth passenger also received surprise gifts, encouraging him to return to the most popular entertainment sites of Ventspils as well as on the board of the ferry.
Igors Udodovs, Deputy CEO of the Freeport of Ventspils: “The port of Ventspils is currently in the process of designing a new identity. From an export port and a fossil energy transit port of the Russian Empire, which it was once created to be, it must evolve into a modern medium for the new economy, where ferry traffic plays an important role not only from the point of view of overall indicators but also serving as a symbolic area. It is not easy to build something from scratch, but the lengthy and gradual development path of ferry traffic confirms that everything is possible if there is a clear vision and the right cooperation partners. Thank you, Stena Line, for evaluating the port of Ventspils and thoughtfully expanding both – cargo and passenger – traffic.”
Sales Director of Stena Line for the Northern Baltic Region: “We are thrilled to announce the remarkable milestone of welcoming our three millionth passenger aboard the Stena Line ferry route between Nynäshamn and Ventspils! This achievement symbolizes not only the immense popularity of our route but also the trust and loyalty of our valued passengers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every passenger who has chosen to sail with us, and we look forward to continuing to provide exceptional service as we embark on many more memorable journeys together. This occasion also highlights the partnership and cooperation between ferry operator Stena Line and Ventspils. We extend our sincere gratitude to the port and city of Ventspils for their support and collaboration, which has played a crucial role in the success of our operations. Together, we have connected communities, facilitated trade, and created unforgettable travel experiences for millions of passengers. We are looking forward to continuing our journey of development together!”
Ferry traffic in the port of Ventspils was started in 2000 with the line Ventspils - Västervik. In 2002, the regular passenger ferry service to Nynäshamn began, and it continues to this day, becoming by far the most popular and busiest connection to Scandinavia in the region. Since 2012, ferry traffic in the port of Ventspils has been provided by operator Stena Line. The cooperation was invigorated in 2023 when “Stena Line” acquired the rights to provide terminal services.
To develop a new service – ferry traffic – in the port of Ventspils, in 2000, the Freeport of Ventspils Authority built a dock where ships of this sort could be moored. In 2006, another pier was created, along with a modern ferry terminal building for passengers. Ventspils is one of the few ro-pax ports where passenger and truck flows are conveniently separated. Over the past two years, both the operator Stena Line and the Freeport of Ventspils Authority have made significant investments in the advancement and modernization of ship traffic safety - for instance, a new ramp, security fenders, and storm poles have been constructed. Currently, work is underway on the construction of the connection points for the ships’ electrical network and other works that are mandatory not only for efficient but also environmentally friendly liner traffic.
