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Feb 09, 2026 A ceremony in Umea marked the official completion of Stena Line's acquisition of Wasaline. "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", said Andreas Carlsson, Minister of Infrastructure in Sweden, before he, together with Joakim Strand, Finland's Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Dan Sten Olsson, owner of Stena Line, and Niclas Martensson, CEO of Stena Line, jointly carried out the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Minister for European Affairs Joakim Strand also emphasized the importance of the Vaasa-Umea ferry route for both the region and for Finland and Sweden. 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 Umea and Vaasa. Since then, 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 20 routes and 40 vessels. Wasaline will continue its operations with its brand retained, subject to minor adjustments, going forward. "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 Martensson, CEO of Stena Line. "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. We are proud to become part of the Stena Line family," says Peter Stahlberg, Managing Director of Wasaline. Aurora Botnia will continue to sail between Umea and Vasa according to the existing timetable, with a total of 20-26 departures per week. Its hybrid ferry Aurora Botnia is powered by biogas and batteries and is the first international Green Shipping Corridor in operation. Stena Line is one of Europe's leading ferry companies with approximately 40 vessels and 19 routes in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, operating 34,700 sailings each year. Stena Line is an important part of the European logistics network and develops new intermodal freight solutions by combining transport by rail, road and sea. Stena Line also plays an important role in tourism in Europe with its extensive passenger operations. The company is family-owned, was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Gothenburg. Stena Line has 6,550 employees and an annual turnover of 19.6 billion SEK. For more information please visit www.stenaline.com Wasaline operates the daily ferry service between Vaasa in Finland and Umea in Sweden. The crossing is the northernmost year-round international ferry route in the world, serving both passengers and freight. Its hybrid ferry Aurora Botnia is powered by biogas and batteries. The ferry has been awarded the Key Flag as a symbol of Finnish work. For more information, please visit www.wasaline.com/en/ 
A ceremony in Umea marked the official completion of Stena Line's acquisition of Wasaline. Image by Stena Line Stena Line, press release 
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