It is estimated, that the road transport supports more than 95% of European trade with Scandinavia. Therefore, it is essential for transport&logistic companies to include crossing the Baltic Sea in their business model activity.
Due to low capacity of the bridge connection between Denmark and Sweden in relation to the scale of trade and deployment of loading and unloading, the only solution is to use the Baltic Sea ferry lines network.
A driver carrying out an FTL freight order spends on average 4-5 days a month on a ferry, in LTL freight – from 8 up to 10 days. The effectiveness of the driver’s rest at this time directly affects the quality of his work and, consequently, on-time delivery, damage to cargo, fuel consumption and first of all – road safety.
Taking these facts into consideration, during our last official training, a Drivers’ opinion survey on ferry lines quality has been carried out. It should be mentioned that the evaluation criteria for the survey were fairly general. However, statistics shows that a collective opinion gives a picture of reality.
The survey evaluated ferries most commonly used by Scandinavian Express Drivers (directions from Poland to Karlskrona, Nynashamn, Ystad and Trelleborg). 25 Drivers completed survey question forms. Questions were asked in four categories: quality of food, service, comfort and cabins. Scoring was as follows: 0 – disastrous, 1 – weak, 2 – average – 3 – good 4 – superb. The sum of points scored in each category was the result of the ferry in the general classification.
General Classification
The “Stena Spirit” ferry proved to be a winner reaching 80% of possible total points. Congratulations! The range of opinions between average and good (50-75% of total points) were taken by: “Polonia”, “Skania”, “Stena Vision”, “Wawel”, “Wolin”, “Galileusz”, “Baltivia”, “Scandinavia” and “Gryf”. The rest of the ferries gained scores below average.
Food
According to our Drivers the best food is served on “Stena Spirit” ferry. Between average and good: “Skania”, “Baltivia”, “Polonia”, “Galileusz”, “Wawel”, “Scandinavia”, “Gryf” and “Wolin”. Other ferries have received less than 50% of the total possible points.
Cabins
In the first place ex aequo “Stena Spirit” and “Stena Vision ‘- answered Scandinavian Express Drivers. Between average and good as for the quality of cabins: ” “Skania”, “Polonia”, “Wolin”, “Galileusz”, “Wawel” and “Gryf”. The rest of the ferries received reviews below average.
Service quality
In the “service quality” category again “Stena Spirit” is considered the best. Between 50% and 75% of the total points received ferries: “Polonia”, “Skania”, “Stena Vision”, “Wawel”, “Baltivia”, “Wolin”, “Scandinavia”, “Galileusz” and “Kopernik”. Service on other ferries has been rated below average.
Cleanliness
Regarding the cleanliness on the ferries in the first place came, in the opinion of our drivers – “Stena Spirit” ferry. Between average and good: Stena Vision”, “Skania”, “Polonia”, “Wolin”, “Wawel”, “Galileusz”, “Scandinavia” and “Baltivia”. The rest of the ferries in our survey have been assessed below average.
Summarizing the survey results, it should be noted that most of the ferry lines were evaluated as average or good. The question is whether it is a satisfactory result, considering how much time drivers spend on ferries and how important relaxing conditions are. In connection with survey results we would like to congratulate to the ranking leaders. From the other hand below average results should be a clue for the ferry owners in terms of service standard improvement.
We hope that by publishing survey result – expressing Drivers Scandinavian Express opinions – we do so in the common interest both of the transport companies, drivers and ferry lines – After all, this kind of source information, is one of the best guideline to improve service standards.