The Swedish ferry company will acquire NLC Ferry, operating under the Wasaline banner, from Kvarken Link (owned 50/50 by the cities of Umeå and Vaasa).
As such, Stena Line will take over the operations between the ports of Umeå and Vaasa - hailed as the world's northernmost regular seaborne passenger service as well as the first (Clydebank Declaration) green shipping corridor.
The ferry Aurora Botnia (room for 800 passengers, 1,500 lane metres for cargo) serves the crossing; however, the vessel will remain in the hands of Kvarken Link.
"It is strategically important to ensure that the service between Vaasa and Umeå continues and has the possibility to grow in the future. We look forward to continuing to develop our work on environmental and operational efficiency together with Stena Line. Wasaline's staff, both onshore and onboard, will continue to deliver the same great service as today. This will be a major boost for the region, bringing significant positive synergies," commented Peter Ståhlberg, CEO of Wasaline.
His counterpart at Stena Line, Niclas Mårtensson, added, "With Wasaline, we not only gain a vessel equipped with the latest environmental technology and capable of sailing CO2-neutral on a regular basis, we also enhance our access to alternative fuels. In addition, we gain a strong intermodal transport link towards Gothenburg and Trelleborg, and onwards to the European continent."
Hans Lindberg, Chair of the Municipal Executive Board, Umeå Municipality, also said on the occasion, "Together with the City of Vaasa, we have strengthened the connections across the Kvarken and proven that the service is profitable. This has happened during a turbulent time when infrastructure, civil defence, and preparedness have become more relevant than ever. For us in Umeå, it is important to take steps that strengthen resilience and opportunities in our part of the world."
Frans Villanen, Chair of the City Council of Vaasa, commented, "We are very proud of how brave we were, in both the City of Vaasa and Umeå Municipality, when we decided that the ferry connection across the Kvarken was essential. The project became a reality thanks to CEO Peter Ståhlberg and the entire Wasaline team. The growing number of passengers and freight volumes each year shows it was the right decision. Now, it is time to bring in a larger operator with the knowledge, expertise, and resources that the cities themselves do not possess. We are very pleased to have found a shared vision with Stena Line."
The acquisition needs approval by the respective municipal councils of Umeå and Vaasa (expected to take place in November 2025), plus is conditional on customary closing conditions (such as authority approvals). The parties expect the closing to take place in early 2026.
Photo: Rauma Marine Constructions