Helsinki-listed Viking Line, with financier Jakob Johansson as a major owner, is giving notice to all its employees at the terminal in Kapellskär outside Norrtälje after selling its Åland ferry M/S Rosella.

It writes Norrtelje Newspaper on Thursday. The notice covers ten permanent employees at the terminal in Kapellskär, and there is currently no replacement ferry, according to the newspaper.

M/S Rosella, built in 1980, has operated several routes for Viking Line, most recently the Kapellskär-Mariehamn route.

On December 8, Viking Line announced the sale of the vessel to Greek Aegean Speed Lines, which plans to use the vessel in the Aegean Sea. The purchase price of EUR 11.25 million results in an accounting profit of EUR 8.6 million.

”"Although she has been well maintained and maintains a good standard, she cannot in the future meet Viking Line's high demands for minimal environmental impact, especially regarding carbon dioxide emissions," according to Viking Lines. press release about the sale, where January 8, 2023 was mentioned as the last service date for Viking Line.

”"The sale of Rosella affects the workforce in Viking Line, which means that restructuring negotiations will begin," the press release said.

Regarding the future of the route, the Åland newspaper wrote New Åland on December 12 that "the future of Kapellskär traffic is still uncertain", and:

”"No information has been given other than that it may take time to restart traffic, if it is to be restarted. But given how well Viking Line has laid out its strategy, it hardly seems likely that the shipping company will rush to buy a ferry to replace Rosella."”

According to the shipping company Website Rosella is equipped with four Wärtsilä Pielstick diesel engines of 17,652 kilowatts each.

Swedish real estate investor Jakob Johansson is, with 20.4 percent of Viking Line (according to Holdings as of May 23 this year), Viking Line's largest owner, and has also been a board member since 2020.

Source: DI.SE