Stena Line is acquiring the company NLC Ferry Ab Oy/Wasaline and will therefore take over the operation of the ferry route between Umeå and Vaasa in Finland.
”It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we at Stena Line take over responsibility for Wasaline and the route between two important regions and cities, Umeå and Vasa, says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.
The only existing ferry service between the cities of Umeå and Vaasa in Finland is jointly owned by the cities of Umeå and Vaasa through the 50/50-owned company Kvarken Link, which in turn owns NLC Ferry and operates under the trade name Wasaline. The agreement signed today means that Stena Line will acquire NLC Ferry and take over the operation of Wasaline. The vessel Aurora Botnia, which sails on the route, will continue to be owned by the cities' company Kvarken Link.
”It is strategically important to ensure that traffic between Vaasa and Umeå continues and has opportunities to grow in the future. We look forward to continuing to work on environmental and efficiency developments together with Stena Line. Wasaline's staff on shore and on board will continue to provide the excellent service we have today. This will be a major boost for the region with significant positive synergies,” says Peter Ståhlberg, 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, which meant that the Umeå – Vaasa route became the first international green shipping corridor.
With this step, Stena Line is also strengthening its position as one of the leaders in the ferry industry in terms of sustainability.
”With Wasaline, we are not only getting a vessel that is well-equipped with the latest environmental technology and can regularly sail CO2-neutrally, we are also strengthening our access to alternative fuels. Furthermore, we gain a strong intermodal transport solution towards Gothenburg and Trelleborg and further down towards the European continent,” adds Niclas Mårtensson.
”Together with the city of Vaasa, we have strengthened the connections across the Kvarken Strait and demonstrated that it is profitable. This has happened in a turbulent time when infrastructure, civil defense, and preparedness issues have become more relevant. For us in Umeå, it is important that we now take steps that strengthen the resilience and opportunities in our part of the world,” says Hans Lindberg, Chairman of the Municipal Executive Board, Umeå Municipality.
”We are very proud of how brave we were in the City of Vaasa and the Municipality of Umeå when we decided that a ferry was needed across the Kvarken, and the project became a reality thanks to CEO Peter Ståhlberg and the entire staff at Wasaline. That the decision was the right one can be seen every year in the growing number of passengers and freight volumes. But now it is time to bring in a larger player with knowledge, expertise and resources, which we in the cities do not have. We are very happy that we have found a common vision with Stena Line,” says Frans Villanen, Chairman of the City Council of Vaasa.
Next step
The current acquisition is subject to approval by the respective municipal councils in the two cities of Umeå and Vaasa, which is expected to take place during November. The transaction is also conditional on customary closing conditions such as regulatory approvals. Possession is expected to take place at the beginning of 2026.
According to the press release.
