Moltzau Line (1963-1975)
Gedser-Travemünde Ruten (1975-1986)
GT-Linien (1986-1987)
GT-Link (1987-1991)
Europa Linien (1991-1997)
 
 
 
This page is devoted to postcards of ferries serving the Gedser-Travemünde route. An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete postcard history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table are official postcards of the fleet in chronological order.
 
Moltzau Line started services between Gedser and Travemünde in 1963. In 1973, a substantial interest in the route was acquired by Rederi Ab Nordö. In 1975, the company name was changed to Gedser-Travemünde Ruten A/S. From 1986 the marketing name changed to GT-Linien, and a new red livery was adopted.
In 1987, GT-Linien was acquired by Rederi Ab Sea-Link, and the name was changed to GT-Link. From 1990, the German terminal was moved from Travemünde to Rostock. In 1991, the name was changed again to Europa Linien. In 1996, Europa Linien was sold to Scandlines, with servi8ces marketed as Scandlines from 1997.
 
 
Ships on This Page:-
Baltavia 1993-1994 (ex-Chantilly)
Europa Link 1990-1993 (ex-Chantilly)
Falster (1) - 1968
Falster (2) - 1975
Falster Link 1988-1997 (ex-Free Enterprise IV)
Gedser (1) - 1963-1968
Gedser (2) - 1968-1976
Gedser (3) - 1976-1986
Gedser (4) - 1986
Gedser Link (1) - 1986-1989 (ex-Dana Gloria)
Rostock Link - 1992-1996 (ex-European Gateway)
Travemünde (1) - 1964-1970
Travemünde (2) - 1971-1981
Travemünde (3) - 1981-1987
Travemünde Link (1) - 1987-1988
Travemünde Link (2) - 1988-1992 (ex-European Gateway)
Vikingfjord - 1970
 
Associated Pages:-
Brittany Ferries
Destination Gotland
P&O Scottish Ferries
Sally Line UK
Vaasanlaivat/Vasabåtarna
Viking Lines
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
 
 
 
Table of Ship Histories

Name

Other names

 Built
 Baltavia  Chantilly, Olympia, Europa Link, El Salam 93

1966
 Europa Link  Chantilly, Olympia, Baltavia, El Salam 93

1966
 Gedser (3)  Viking 2, Sally Sky, Eurotraveller, Larkspur

 1976
 Travemünde (2)  Njegos, Tregastel, St Clair, Barakat

 1971
 Travemünde (3)  Travemünde Link, Sally Star, Wasa Express, Thjelar

 1981
 Travemünde Link (1)  Travemünde (3), Sally Star, Wasa Express, Thjelar

 1981
 
 
 
 
 
 
GT Fleet List
 
 
Gedser (1) (1963-1968)
Falster (1) (1968)
 
Gedser (1) was built in 1963 at Orenstein-Koppel und Lübecker Machinenbau, Lübeck for Sundbusserne A/S, Helsingør, Denmark. Before entering service, she was sold to Moltzau Line A/S, Gedser, Denmark, entering service in 1963 between Gedser and Travemünde as the Gedser. The Travemünde (1), delivered in 1964, was near sister. In 1968 Gedser was renamed Falster for a few months, before being sold to Juelsminde-Kalundborg Linien A/S, Kalundborg, as the Mille (1). In 1969 she was chartered to Lion Ferry for service between Grenå and Varberg. In 1970 ownership passed to Jydsk Færgefart A/S, Kalundborg. Mille (1) was sold to Nordisk Faergefart A/S, Faaborg, Denmark in 1975, for use between Gelting and Faaborg as the Gelting. She was replaced by newer tonnage and chartered out for various services, including previous owners Jydsk Færgefart, until sold to Consolidada de Ferry Ca, Caracas, Venezuela in 1988. She was sold for breaking up in 2002.
 
 
Norddeutschland postcard Tra40 of Gedser (1).
 
 
 
Schöning postcard Tra545-f of Gedser (1).
 
 
 
Postcard of Gedser (1).
 
 
 
Schöning postcard Tra566 of Gedser (1).
 
 
 
Schöning postcard of Gedser (1).
(Colour version of the card above)
 
 
 
Schöning postcard Tra641 of Gedser (1).
 
 
 
Official Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard of Falster.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Travemünde (1) (1964-1970)
 
Travemünde (1) was built in 1964 at Orenstein-Koppel und Lübecker Machinenbau, Lübeck for Moltzau Line A/S, Gedser, Denmark, entering service between Gedser and Travemünde. The Gedser (1), delivered in 1963, was near sister (Gedser was distinguishable by the open sided walkways each side aft). In 1968, Travemünde was briefly chartered to Burns & Laird Lines. In 1969, she had a brief charter to Viking Line. In 1970 Travemünde (1) was chartered then sold to Lion Ferry Ab, becoming the Europafaerjan II on their Grenå-Varberg route. Between 1976-1988 she was owned by Corsica Ferries as the Corsica Nova. She then served for various Mediterrainean owners including a spell for HML as Apollonia.
 
 
Official Moltzau Line - Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard of Travemünde (1).
 
 
 
Schöning postcard Tra628-f of Travemünde (1).
 
 
 
Photographic postcard of Travemünde (1).
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gedser (2) (1968-1976)
 
Gedser (2) was built in 1968 by Schiffbau-Gesellschaft Unterweser AG, Bremerhaven for Moltzau A/S, Gedser, Denmark. She operated on their Gedser-Travemünde route. In 1974, registered ownership became Gedser-Travemünde Ruten A/S. Gedser (2) was sold to Tirrenia di Navigazione S.p.A for a service Naples-Reggio Calabria-Catania-Syracuse-Valletta as the Malta Express. In 1988 Malta Express was sold to Moby Lines as the Moby Will, running between Livorno-Bastia. In 1993, Moby Will was sold to Saudi Arabian owners and operated as a pilgrim carrier as Al Judi. She remained in service in 2002.
 
 
Official Moltzau Line - Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard of Gedser (2).
 
 
 
Official Moltzau Line - Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard of Gedser (2).
 
 
 
Schöning postcard Tra560-f of Gedser (2).
 
 
 
Schöning postcard Tra KL 1227/1 of Gedser (2) at Travemünde.
 
 
 
A.L.Postkarten release 991.83 of Gedser (2) at Travemünde.
 
 
 
Photographic postcard of Gedser (2) as Malta Express of Tirrenia.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vikingfjord (1970)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Travemünde (2) (1971-1981)
 
Travemünde was built in 1971 by Schiffbau-Gesellschaft Unterweser AG, Bremerhaven for Moltzau Line A/S, Gedser, Denmark, for use on their Gedser-Travemünde route. In 1973, 34% was sold to Rederi Ab Nordö, Malmö, and the operating company became knowns as Gedser-Travemünde Ruten A/S.
 
In 1980 Travemünde was sold to Prekookanska Plovidba of Yugoslavia, and renamed Njegos. She was chartered back for six months for continued use on the Gedser-Travemünde route, transferring to Italy-Yugoslavia route Bari-Bar in July 1981. In 1984 Njegos was chartered to Brittany Ferries for use between Portsmouth-St Malo, followed by a short charter to Sally Line UK for use between Ramsgate-Dunkerque. She returned to Brittany Ferries in 1985, receiving the name Tregastel, and was purchased soon afterwards. In 1991 Tregastel was transferred to Truckline Ferries for use between Poole-Cherbourg, but also operated as reserve Brittany Ferries ship on Portsmouth-Caen.
 
In 1991, Tregastel was sold to P&O Scottish Ferries as the fifth St Clair for service between Aberdeen-Lerwick (Shetland). She also operated weekend services between Lerwick-Bergen for a short period. St Clair entered service in 1992 after rebuilding with extra cabins in Bremerhaven. In 2002, the Shetland and Orkney services passed to Northlink, and St Clair was sold to Saudi Arabian interests as the Barakat.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Moltzau Line - Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard of Travemünde (2).
 
 
 
Official Moltzau Line - Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard of Travemünde (2).
 
 
 
Schöning postcard Tra850 of Travemünde (2) with Moltzau Line funnel emblem.
 
 
 
Official Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard of Travemünde (2).
 
 
 
Schöning & Schmidt postcard Tra941 of Travemünde (2), with GT funnel emblem.
 
 
 
Schöning & Schmidt postcard Tra LK 1112 of Travemünde (2), at Travemünde.
 
 
 
Schöning & Schmidt postcard Tra LK 1116 of Travemünde (2), at Travemünde.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Falster (2) (1975)
 
Falster (2) was built by Trondheims Mekaniske Verksted A/S, Trondheim, in 1975. She had a sistership Scandinavia. Falster was ordered by GT-Ruten A/S, but was transferred to Rederi Ab Nordö during construction. However, she began service on the GT-Ruten Gedser-Travemünde service when delivered. This use was brief, and various charters followed, including one to Brittany Ferries as the Prince De Bretagne between Plymouth-Roscoff. After a further short spell as Falster between Gedser-Travemünde, she was sold to Mediterranean owners and served as Tarak B, Atlas IV, Europa and Vega, the last named for Ventouris Ferries.
 
 
Official Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gedser (3) (1976-1986)
 
Gedser was built in Bremerhaven in 1976, for Gedser-Travemünde Ruten. In 1986, Gedser was chartered to Sally Line UK for service as the Viking 2 between Ramsgate-Dunkirk. In 1988 she was sold to Johnson Line (Silja Line partner) and renamed Sally Star, remaining on the same route for Sally Line UK. In 1997, Sally Star was renamed Eurotraveller and entered service between Ramsgate-Oostende for Holyman Sally Ferries, marketed as Sally Direct. Two years later Eurotraveller was chartered, then sold, to TransEuropa Shipping and renamed Larkspur, remaining on Ramsgate-Oostende services.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard.
 
 
 
Official Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard.
 
 
 
Official Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard.
 
 
 
Official Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Travemünde (3) (Gedser-Travemünde Ruten/GT-Linien: 1981-1987)
Travemünde Link (1) (GT-Link: 1987-1988)
 
Travemünde was built in Helsinki in 1981, for Gedser-Travemünde Ruten. In 1986 the company's name was changed to GT-Linien, and Travemünde was renamed Travemünde Link. The company name was changed again in 1987, to GT-Link. In 1988, Travemünde Link was purchased by Rederi AB Gotland, but remaned in service with GT-Ruten. Later in 1988, she was chartered to Sally Ferries for service as the Sally Star between Ramsgate-Dunkirk. In 1997, she was transferred to Silja Line for use between Vaasa and Umeå, under the marketing name Wasa Express, although the name was not officially changed. She entered Destination Gotland service later the same year as Thjelvar. In November 2003, Thjelvar was chartered to Color Line. She entered service as Color Traveller in March 2004 between Larvik and Hirtshals. During the summer of 2004, she transferred to the Larvik-Frederikshavn route, returning to Larvik-Hirtshals in August.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard.
Schöning & Schmidt postcard Tra1167.
 
 
 
Official Gedser-Travemünde Ruten postcard.
 
 
 
Commercial postcard of Travemünde, in Gedser-Travemünde Ruten colours.
 
 
 
Commercial postcard of Travemünde, in Gedser-Travemünde Ruten colours.
 
 
 
Schöning & Schmidt postcard Tra1358 of Travemünde, in GT-Linien colours.
 
 
 
Schöning & Schmidt postcard Tra1357 of Travemünde, in GT-Link colours.
 
 
 
Schöning & Schmidt postcard Tra1357 of Travemünde, updated with GT-Link colours.
 
 
 
Official GT-Link postcard as Travemünde.
 
 
 
Official GT-Linien postcard as Travemünde.
 
 
 
Official GT-Link postcard as Travemünde Link.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gedser (4) (GT-Linien: 1986)
Gedser Link (1) (GT-Link: 1987-1989)
 
Gedser (4) was built in 1976 as the Dana Gloria by Helsingørs Værft A/S, Helsingør, Denmark for DFDS. Her sistership was Dana Futura. They had the relatively high speed (compared to many contemporary ro-ro vessels) of 22.5 knots, and both ships were much in demand for charters. She entered service on the DFDS Esbjerg-Harwich/Felixstowe route, but was soon chartered to DDG-Hansa, Bremen, as the Drachenfels. In 1977, she was chartered to Deutsche Seerederei, Rostock as the Dana Hafnia, for the route Rostock-Angola-Moçambique-Ethiopia-Rostock. In 1978 she returned to the DFDS Harwich/Felixstowe-Esbjerg route. In 1980 and 1981 Dana Hafnia had charters to North Sea Ferries. In 1982 she moved to a route serving Copenhagen-Helsingborg-Immingham-Felixstowe. In 1985 Dana Hafnia was sold to Mols Line, remaining in DFDS service until the following year, when she entered service with GT-Linien as the Gedser (4). She was soon sold to GT-Link, and was renamed Gedser Link. In 1989 she was sold to Ventouris Group, and was renamed Venus for a Patras-Igoumenitsa-Bari service.
 
 
Schöning & Schmidt postcard Tra1369 of Gedser (4).
 
 
 
Official GT-Link postcard of Gedser Link.
 
 
 
Official GT-Link postcard of Gedser Link.
 
 
 
Simplon Postcards sp1112 (issued August 1992) of Gedser Link.
Photo: Frank Heine, Travemünde, July 1987
 
 
 
 
 
 
Falster Link
(GT-Link/Europa Linien: 1988-1997)
 
Falster Link was built 1969 as the Free Enterprise IV by I.C.H. Holland, Werf Gusto Yard, Schiedam, Holland for the European Ferries Group. She was used on Townsend-Thoresen services out of Dover to Calais, Zeebrugge and Boulogne. In 1976 Free Enterprise IV was transferred to the Cairnryan-Larne route, remaining there until 1986 when she reverted back to Dover. In 1987 Free Enterprise IV was laid up at Chatham until sale to Sea-Link Rederi Ab the following year. After rebuilding at Landskrona, she entered service for GT-Link betwen Gedser-Travemünde as the Falster Link. From 1990, the German port was changed to Rostock. In 1991, registered owners became Europa Linien A/S, Gedser. Falster Link was laid up in 1996, but served briefly for Scandlines between Gedser-Rostock in 1997. In 1998 Falster Link was sold to El Salam Shipping & Trading, Cairo, entering service as the Tag Al Salam.
 
 
Official GT-Link postcard of Falster Link.
 
 
 
Trojaborg postcard GEDS6 of Falster Link.
Photo: Robert Trojaborg.
 
 
 
Simplon Postcards sp1105 (issued July 1992) of Falster Link.
Photo: Frank Heine, Travemünde.
 
 
 
Official Europa Linien postcard of Falster Link.
 
 
 
Official Europa Linien postcard of Rostock Link and Falster Link.
 
 
 
Official Europa Linien postcard of Rostock Link and Falster Link.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Travemünde Link (2) (GT-Link: 1988-1992)
Rostock Link (GT-Link/Europa Linien: 1992-1996)
 
Travemünde Link was built 1975 as the European Gateway by Schichau Unterweser AG, Bremerhaven, for the Townsend-Thoresen service between Felixstowe and Europort. During the summer of 1980, she operated between Cairnryan-Larne. European Gateway then returned to Felixstowe service until 1982 when she was involved in a collision with the Speedlink Vanguard off Felixstowe. She sank with the loss of six lives. After salvage, she was rebuilt and entered service as the Flavia between Ancona-Igoumenitsa-Patras in 1984. In 1988 she was sold to GT-Link, entering service as the Travemünde Link between Gedser-Travemünde. In 1992, registered ownership passed to Europa Linien, and she was renamed Rostock Link when the German port changed. In 1996, ownership of Europa Linien passed to DSB (later Scandlines). In 1999 Rostock Link was chartered to Mols Linien for their Århus-Kalundborg route under the marketing name Kalundborg Link. In 2000 she was sold to Agoudimos Lines, and was renamed Penelope A for a route Igoumenitsa-Brindisi.
 
Simplon Postcards sp1162 (issued December 1993) of Travemünde Link.
Photo: Peter Therkildsen.
 
 
 
Official Europa Linien postcard of Rostock Link.
 
 
 
Official Europa Linien postcard of Rostock Link and Falster Link.
 
 
 
Official Europa Linien postcard of Rostock Link and Falster Link.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europa Link (GT-Link: 1990-1993)
Baltavia (GT-Link/Europa Linien: 1993-1994)
 
Europa Link was built as Chantilly at Dubigeon-Normandie S.A., Nantes, for SNCF in 1966. She primarily served Dover-Calais until 1987, with occasional relief work at Dieppe. Chantilly was sold in 1987 to Agapitos Brothers for a Chalkis-Rhodes-Kapathos service as the Olympia. In 1990 she was sent to the UK for rebuilding, and returned to service with GT-Link as Europa Link, serving between Gedser-Travemünde and Gedser-Rostock. In 1993 she was sold to Polish interests and was renamed Baltavia, intermittently working charters with Europa Linjen (successors to GT-Link) on services from Gedser. In 1996 Baltavia was sold to El Salam Shipping and renamed El Salam 93, entering the Red Sea pilgrim trade.
 
 
Photograph of Europa Link.
Photo: © Andreas Wörteler.
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
 
Ramsey Postcards 82 of Baltavia.
Photo: © Dieter Streich
 
 
 
 
 
 
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