In July 2025, Wasaline entered into a biogas agreement with Gasum and a Fuel EU Maritime pooling agreement with Stena Line

Stena Line strengthens its position in the Baltic Sea by acquiring NLC Ferry Ab Oy/Wasaline and taking over operations of the ferry route between Umea in Sweden and Vaasa in Finland, the company said in a press release.

“It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we at Stena Line take on the responsibility for Wasaline and the route between two important regions and cities, Umea and Vaasa,” says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.

The only existing ferry connection between Umea and Vaasa

The only existing ferry connection between Umea and Vaasa is jointly owned by the two cities through the 50/50-owned company Kvarken Link, which in turn owns NLC Ferry which operates under the auxiliary name Wasaline. Under the agreement, Stena Line will acquire NLC Ferry and take over the operation of Wasaline. The vessel Aurora Botnia, which sails the route, will continue to be owned by Kvarken Link, the company jointly owned by the two cities.

The service between Vaasa and Umeå continues

“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,” says Peter Stahlberg, CEO of Wasaline.

Opportunities for Intermodality
In July 2025, Wasaline entered into a biogas agreement with Gasum and a Fuel EU Maritime pooling agreement with Stena Line, making the Umea–Vaasa route the first international green shipping corridor. With this next step Stena Line further strengthens its position as one of the leaders in sustainability within the ferry industry

Related : Stena Futuro: RO RO vessel reducing the consumption of energy

Next steps
The acquisition is subject to approval by the respective municipal councils of Umea and Vaasa, expected to take place in November 2025. The transaction is also conditional to customary closing conditions such as authority approvals. The closing is expected to take place in the beginning of the year 2026.

Stena Line is one of Europe’s leading ferry operators, with 20 routes across the continent. In the Baltic Sea, Stena Line currently operates ferry routes between Trelleborg–Rostock, Karlskrona–Gdynia, Ventspils–Nynäshamn, and Travemünde–Liepaja. With the addition of Umea–Vaasa, Stena Line will have its fifth Baltic Sea route. Stena Line also operates several ports in the region.

Source : Press - Release

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