The European ferry company Stena Line will be acquiring the Swedish-Finnish ferry service Wasaline, which will help expand its operations in the Baltic Sea to five routes and support sustainability efforts in the area.
This acquisition, announced today, means Stena Line will take over NLC Ferry Ab Oy, the operator of Wasaline, which runs the Umeå-Vaasa route that connects Sweden and Finland. Currently, this service is co-owned by the two cities through Kvarken Link.
“We are excited and happy to take on the responsibility for Wasaline and the important route between Umeå and Vaasa,” said Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.
In July 2025, Wasaline established the first international green shipping corridor through a biogas agreement with Gasum and a Fuel EU Maritime pooling agreement with Stena Line.
“With Wasaline, we not only get a vessel with the latest environmental technology that can operate CO₂-neutrally but also improve our access to alternative fuels,” Mårtensson added. “Additionally, we enhance our transport links to Gothenburg and Trelleborg, and further into Europe.”
Wasaline is the northernmost shipping company in the world, providing daily passenger and freight services between Vaasa, Finland, and Umeå, Sweden. Its hybrid vessel, Aurora Botnia, operates using biogas and batteries and currently serves this route. The ship will remain under Kvarken Link's ownership, while Stena Line will take over its operations. Both the ship and Wasaline's services have received the Key Flag Symbol, a recognition of Finnish work.
Strategic Infrastructure Investment
Local officials highlighted the significance of this route beyond just business. “This comes at a critical time when infrastructure, civil defense, and preparedness are more important than ever,” said Hans Lindberg, Chair of the Municipal Executive Board for Umeå Municipality. “For Umeå, it’s vital to strengthen our resilience and opportunities in this region.”
Peter Ståhlberg, CEO of Wasaline, expressed optimism about the transition: “It’s crucial to ensure that the service between Vaasa and Umeå continues and has the chance to grow in the future. We look forward to working with Stena Line to improve environmental and operational efficiency.”
The acquisition still needs approval from the municipal councils of Umeå and Vaasa, which is expected in November 2025, along with standard regulatory approvals. The deal is anticipated to close in early 2026.
With this acquisition, Stena Line will operate five routes in the Baltic Sea, adding to its existing services between Trelleborg-Rostock, Karlskrona-Gdynia, Ventspils-Nynäshamn, and Travemünde-Liepaja.