Scandlines is one of Europe’s biggest ferry companies, established in 1998 by a merger of the largest national ferry companies in Denmark and Germany.

It specialises in the rapid, reliable and comfortable transportation of both passengers and freight on international routes in Danish, German and Swedish coastal waters, as well as to the Baltic countries and Finland.

Scandlines’ activities also include catering services, together with retail sales of goods in on-board and on-shore shops and restaurants. Scandlines operates 19 ferries on nine routes between 14 ports in the Baltic Sea.

The company operates 17 ferries on eight own routes between 11 ports in the Baltic Sea. The company transported in 2008 more than 17.3 million passengers, four million cars, one million lorries, 84,000 railway wagons and 68,000 coaches.

Scandlines’ prime objective is reliable and competitive transportation of individuals and freight in its core area of operation.

In addition, the company is developing its freight services to and from the Baltic countries and through the Baltic countries to Russia – regions that are fast becoming the world’s most interesting areas of economic growth.

3i is helping Scandlines to drive sales growth in the core vehicle and passenger transportation business and is using its broad retail expertise to help transform the retail and catering business.