Tomorrow, Wasaline proudly celebrates the fifth anniversary of M/S Aurora Botnia, a vessel that has transformed travel, freight, and tourism across the Kvarken region and become a symbol of innovation and sustainability in Northern Europe.
Aurora Botnia has completed 5,700 departures, and more than 1.3 million passengers have travelled on the ferry. The vessel has transported nearly 2 million freight lane metres and approximately 300,000 passenger vehicles.
Ten years ago, many doubted that a completely new ferry could become reality on the Vaasa-Umeå route. The project was considered ambitious, and some questioned whether such a significant investment could be justified for a route connecting two relatively small cities. Despite the skepticism, the vision remained clear: to create a modern vessel designed specifically for the unique needs of the connection.
Being part of the Stena Line provides Wasaline with long-term stability and creates strong opportunities for the continued development of the Vaasa–Umeå route in the years ahead.
You have to be willing to invest. When evaluating future investments, their impact and effectiveness must be taken into account. If we believe that our future is built on export industries, we must ensure that the necessary conditions for their success are in place.
Tomas Häyry
Mayor of Vaasa
Yle 16.4.2015
The renewal of ferry traffic across the Kvarken has taken another step forward. The board of the City of Vaasa is proposing funding for the vessel project to the city council. A decision on corresponding funding will be made by the Umeå municipal council in June.
Sveriges Radio
19.4.2018
Ropax ferries are one of RMC’s key focus areas, and we are therefore very pleased and proud to have been able to demonstrate our expertise in this field.
Jyrki Heinimaa
Managing Director, RMC
Yle 11.1.2019
That vision became reality when Aurora Botnia entered service in August 2021. The vessel is the first ferry ever built specifically for the Vaasa-Umeå route, despite that there has been traffic since the 1940s. This represented a new era for travel and cargo transportation across the Gulf of Bothnia.
Even five years after its launch, Aurora Botnia remains one of the most sustainable RoPax ferries in the world. Developed in close cooperation with Finnish maritime cluster companies, the vessel was designed to minimize environmental impact while ensuring reliable year-round operations in demanding northern conditions.
The ship’s technology has continued to evolve since entering service. Aurora Botnia’s engines have been continuously monitored, tested, and further developed in collaboration with Wärtsilä, helping optimize performance and reduce emissions. At the same time, the vessel’s battery capacity has been expanded, further strengthening its position as a pioneer in sustainable ferry operations.
I’m very proud that we have reached this milestone. Laying the keel is an event that we have been looking forward to for some time. Now, we can see years of planning become a reality.
Peter Ståhlberg
Managing Director of Wasaline
RMC 13.2.2020
The difficult COVID-19 situation at the Rauma shipyard has affected the construction of Wasaline’s new vessel, Aurora Botnia. For example, subcontractor employees have recently been infected with or exposed to the virus. Those who have been exposed are currently in quarantine.
Yle News
19.2.2021
Passengers have also warmly embraced the onboard experience. The restaurants and food concept have received consistently positive feedback for their quality, local flavours, and welcoming atmosphere.
Customer demand has exceeded expectations in several areas, including retail. As a result of the growing popularity of onboard shopping, the vessel’s shop was expanded a few years back to better serve passengers and offer a wider selection of products.
Today, Aurora Botnia and the Vaasa–Umeå route also play an important role in security of supply. Aurora Botnia can transport wide, heavy, and high cargo, and the vessel has a freight capacity of 1,500 lane metres. Since the vessel entered service, the frequency of departures has also increased, further strengthening the connection between Finland and Sweden. Freight operations are at the same time one of the cornerstones of Wasaline’s business.
City council chairmen of Umeå and Vaasa, Hans Lindberg and Joakim Strand, at the naming ceremony.
Changing of the guard: one last look at Wasa Express as Aurora Botnia takes over the Vaasa-Umeå route.
The success of Aurora Botnia demonstrates what is possible when partners share a long-term vision and the courage to invest in the future. The vessel has exceeded expectations in terms of passenger growth, sustainability performance, and regional impact.
Aurora Botnia has also strengthened the international attractiveness of the Kvarken region. Today, passengers travel not only from Finland and Sweden but increasingly from across Europe. Visitors arriving on the ferry now come from countries throughout Central Europe, drawn by the unique nature, especially the ice during wintertime.
Aurora Botnia in her current livery, carrying visual elements of Stena Line.
For more information, contact:
Catarina Fant, Director, Brand, Communications and Sustainability, [email protected], phone +358 46 921 5811
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.
