At a ceremony held in Umeå, Finland, Stena Line celebrated the official completion of its acquisition of Wasaline, which operates across the Gulf of Bothnia to Vaasa, Sweden.
"The close and strong cooperation between Sweden and Finland is of central strategic importance for both our countries. Robust and reliable transport is a basic prerequisite for a competitive business sector and strengthened preparedness and security. Ferry traffic between Sweden and Finland is attractive and viable, which is underlined by today's ceremony," said Andreas Carlsson, Sweden's Minister of Infrastructure.
He then joined in carrying out the ribbon-cutting ceremony with Joakim Strand, Finland's Minister for Europe and Corporate Governance; Dan Sten Olsson, owner of Stena Line; and Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.
Minister for European Affairs Joakim Strand emphasized the importance of the Vaasa-Umeå ferry line for the region as well as for Finland and Sweden.
As Afloat reported in November, Stena Line announced the purchase of the company NLC Ferry Oy/Wasaline, which entailed a takeover of the operation of the ferry line between Umeå and Vaasa. Since then, the deal has been processed and approved by the cities, as well as the previous owners and the respective council assemblies, and has received other required authority approvals. The vessel Aurora Botnia, which operates on the route, will continue to be owned by the cities’ jointly owned company Kvarken Link.
From now on, Wasaline is part of Stena Line and the European ferry network and port operations, which includes a total of 20 lines and 40 vessels. Wasaline will, with minor adjustments, continue its operations with the brand name maintained in the future.
In addition, Wasaline's Aurora Botnia continues to serve the existing schedule with a total of 20–26 departures per week. The hybrid ship is powered by biogas and batteries and is the first international green shipping corridor in operation.
"We are extremely happy to finally officially welcome all of Wasaline's staff, passengers, and customers to the Stena Line family. It is a very important connection and a very well-run company that we are now taking over, and we do so with both enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility and humility," says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.
"It's a big day for us today. Now a whole new set of opportunities opens up for Wasaline as we become part of a larger group. Stena Line gives us long-term security in traffic and growth opportunities. We are proud to become part of the Stena Line family," says Wasaline's CEO Peter Ståhlberg.
