Swedish shipping company Stena Line is purchasing Finnish ferry operator Wasaline, which operates the route between Umeå, Sweden and Vaasa, Finland. The deal includes Wasaline's parent company NLC Ferry and the Aurora Botnia vessel that serves the Kvarken Strait crossing.
Wasaline CEO Peter Ståhlberg stated the acquisition strategically secures the future of transport between Vaasa and Umeå. He emphasized the importance of maintaining and growing traffic across the maritime border.
The Vaasa-Umeå ferry connection is owned by the cities of Vaasa and Umeå through their joint company Kvarken Link. Stena Line will officially take over operations at the beginning of 2026.
Frans Villanen, chair of Vaasa City Council, praised the original decision to establish the cross-border ferry service. He noted growing passenger and cargo numbers prove the route's success but acknowledged the need for a larger operator to manage future growth.
This acquisition marks Stena Line's fifth route in the Baltic Sea region. The Swedish company operates 40 vessels across 19 connections in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
The move consolidates Stena Line's position in the Nordic ferry market while providing Wasaline with the resources of a major international operator. Cross-border ferry services between Finland and Sweden face particular challenges due to seasonal weather conditions and competition from land routes.
Stena Line's established network could potentially boost tourism and trade along the Bothnian Bay corridor. The Swedish company's experience operating in challenging Nordic waters should benefit the Vaasa-Umeå route during winter months when ice conditions complicate navigation.