The major company in the short-sea passenger and freight business in 2020 is the Swedish Stena Line, who operate services to Europe, Scandinavia and Ireland from United Kingdom ports.

The company was founded in 1962 by Sten A. Olsson in Gothenburg, Sweden, and was one of the first ferry operators in Europe to introduce a computer-based reservation system. In the 1980s, Stena took over three other ferry companies and their ships. Various other acquisitions followed, including the Harwich to Hook of Holland route The company doubled in size in 1990 following its takeover of Sealink British Ferries and Sea Containers. The company became Sealink Stena Line, then Stena Sealink Line, and finally Stena Line.

With a wealth of rare and previously unpublished images, Ian Collard celebrates this famous company.