A ceremony in Umeå has marked the official completion of Stena Line’s acquisition of Wasaline. It was on 4 November 2025 that Stena Line announced the purchase of the company NLC Ferry Oy/Wasaline, which involved taking over the operation of the ferry service between Umeå and Vaasa.
‘The close and strong cooperation between Sweden and Finland is of central strategic importance to both our countries. Robust and reliable transport links are a fundamental prerequisite for a competitive business sector as well as for strengthened preparedness and security. Ferry traffic between Sweden and Finland is attractive and viable, as underscored by today’s ceremony,’ says Andreas Carlsson, Minister of Infrastructure in Sweden.
Carlsson, together with Joakim Strand, Finland’s Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Dan Sten Olsson, owner of Stena Line, and Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line, then jointly carried out the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Strand also emphasised the importance of the Vaasa–Umeå ferry route for both the region and for Finland and Sweden.
Also read: Stena Line acquires Wasaline
Wasaline brand retained
Since the announcement of the intended takeover in November, the transaction has been reviewed and approved by the respective city councils, which were also the former owners, and has received all other required regulatory approvals. The vessel Aurora Botnia, which operates on the route, will continue to be owned by the cities’ jointly owned company Kvarken Link.
As of now, Wasaline is part of Stena Line and its European ferry network and port operations, which comprise a total of twenty routes and forty vessels. Wasaline will continue its operations with its brand retained, subject to minor adjustments, going forward.
Also read: Aurora Botnia to sail carbon-neutrally in Baltic Sea
Green corridor continues
Aurora Botnia will continue to sail between Umeå and Vasa according to the existing timetable, with a total of twenty to 26 departures per week. The hybrid ferry is powered by biogas and batteries and is the first international Green Shipping Corridor in operation.
‘We are incredibly pleased to finally officially welcome all of Wasaline’s employees, passengers, and customers to the Stena Line family. This is a very important connection and a very well-managed company that we are now taking over, and we do so with both enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility and humility,’ says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.
Peter Ståhlberg, Managing Director of Wasaline, adds: ‘This is a big day for us. Now entirely new opportunities open up for Wasaline as we become part of a larger group. Stena Line provides us with long-term stability in operations and opportunities for growth.’
Picture by Stena Line.
Also read: Stena Line puts Stena Futura into service
