NLC Ferry Ab Oy  |  Press release  |  09.02.2026

Wasaline is now officially part of Stena Line

On Monday, a ceremony in Umeå 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 and for the security of supply. The ferry services between Sweden and Finland are attractive and viable, as underscored by today’s ceremony, said Andreas Carlson, 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 Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line, jointly carried out the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Minister for European Affairs Joakim Strand emphasized the importance of the Vaasa–Umeå ferry route for both the region and for Finland and Sweden.

Stena Line ribbon-cutting ceremony at Aurora Botnia

Dan Sten Olsson, Joakim Strand, Andreas Carlson and Niclas Mårtensson.

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 Umeå 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 Mårtensson, 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 Ståhlberg, Managing Director of Wasaline.

Stena Line ribbon-cutting ceremony at Aurora Botnia

A miniature model of Aurora Botnia was presented to Dan Sten Olsson by Managing Director Peter Ståhlberg and Senior Captain Johannes Sjöholm.

Aurora Botnia will continue to sail between Umeå and Vasa according to the existing timetable, with a total of 20–26 departures per week.

The hybrid ferry is powered by biogas and batteries and is the first international Green Shipping Corridor in operation.

Press contacts:

Johan Live, PR & Media Relations Manager, Stena Line
tel: +46 768 68 11 37, [email protected]

Catarina Fant, Director, Brand, Communications & Sustainability, Wasaline
tel: +358 46 921 5811, [email protected]

About Stena Line:

Stena Line is one of Europe’s leading ferry companies with approximately 40 vessels and 20 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, a Stena Line company logo

About Wasaline

Wasaline operates the daily ferry service between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden. The crossing is the northernmost year-round international ferry route in the world, serving both passengers and freight.

The modern hybrid ferry Aurora Botnia is powered by biogas and batteries. The Key Flag has been awarded to the ferry as a symbol of Finnish work. Wasaline is part of Stena Line.