What fees and charges apply and when?

Any discounts or points given are based on the fare before applying any passenger and environmental fees. The various fees that are applicable are outlined below:-

Passenger fees

Passenger fees are imposed by local port authorities and are applied to all bookings. The fees vary by country and port and depending on whether you are travelling with a vehicle or on foot. We have included a breakdown of all relevant passenger fees associated with your fare on your e-ticket in a bid to be more transparent with our ticket reservation total amount. The fee is charged on top of the transport ticket fares. 

Environmental fees

There are three different global regulations outside of Stena Line’s own control which effects our environmental fees to customers.

1. Bunker Fee Related to global regulations applied by International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce sulphur emissions from ships. Since 2015 and then again 2020, fuels used at sea must not contain more than 0.5% sulphur. The fee covers the cost of purchasing low-sulphur fuel. Read the 2020 global sulphur limit FAQs. 

2. Emissions Trading System (ETS): The European Union introduced its ETS to the shipping industry in 2024. The system impose an obligation to shipping companies on purchase allowances for CO2 emissions and other pollutants, and the money from the allowances will be used for EU's green fund. For journeys starting from 1 January 2024, we have included a surcharge in our ticket prices to cover the oncost from the EU. This has an impact on ferry routes between two EU countries but also to some extent routes between an EU country and a non-EU country. Read more about ETS. 

3. FuelEU Maritime EU regulation under the Fit for 55 package, effective from January 2025. It requires ships over 5,000 GT calling at EU/EEA ports to progressively reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of the energy they use, starting with a 2% reduction in 2025 and reaching 80% by 2050. Stena Line has entered a FuelEU pooling agreement with Wasaline, enabling Wasaline to operate its vessel on 100% biogas, while Stena Line acquires the resulting compliance surplus in a cost-effective manner.

Through this collaboration, Stena Line supports the transition to cleaner maritime fuels and contributes to industry-wide decarbonisation, even where biofuels are not yet bunkered across its own fleet. The fee covers the cost of buy compliance credits.

Decarbonising maritime transport – FuelEU Maritime - Mobility and Transport

Please note fees may be subject to change depending on changes to ETS regulations and fuel price development, in which case every effort will be made to give as much notice as possible. 

Booking & Service fees

These fees are applicable when booking or amending any form of travel via telephone, email, contact form or in person at the port. You will not be charged a booking or service fee when you book or amend online. 

Amendment & Cancellation fees

There may be amendment and cancellation fees depending on how you book and the fare type you have chosen. Any difference in fare will also be charged.

View full details of applicable amendment and cancellation fees