Stena RoRo may be converting Stena Saga into a hospital ship for 520 patients.

Due to the permanent closure of the Oslo - Frederikshamn route, Stena Line has transferred the ship to Stena RoRo, due to their experience in building hospital ships.

"At a shipyard in China, we're currently building the world's largest civilian hospital ship, the Global Mercy, on behalf of the international charity Mercy Ships. Our project manager for the Global Mercy is back in Sweden and will lead any possible conversion of the Stena Saga"

said Per Westling, CEO of Stena RoRo.

Stena Saga has over 590 passenger cabins, which can be converted for medical use. Although the ship will have to be modified with new ventilation, alarm and communication systems, and interior furnishing suitable for a hospital environment, Stena RoRo are confident this can be done in around three weeks.

"The idea is to provide care for corona patients who need hospital care but not intensive care. There may also be a need for beds for patients who have left intensive care but still require medical care awhile longer. Probably it's mainly a matter of being able to relieve the load on conventional hospitals."