Wasaline’s new ferry Aurora Botnia entered service between Vaasa, Finland and Umeå, Sweden in Autumn 2021. The goal was to build the world’s most environmentally friendly passenger ferry in its class. Now that Wasaline has consumption data from over 12 months, the results look very positive.

During Aurora Botnia’s first year in service Wasaline has been able to cut total CO₂ emissions by 51,8 percent. Aurora Botnia has more weekly departures than its predecessor Wasa Express. Therefore, the reduction in average emissions per departure is even greater, 67,2 %. The calculations are based on Wasa Express’s first year in service, 2013.

Wasa Express used heavy fuel oil and marine diesel as fuels. Aurora Botnia can use liquified natural gas (LNG) or marine diesel as fuel. After Aurora Botnia entered service, total CO₂ emissions have been reduced from 22 000 metric tons to 11 000 tons. Average emissions per departure are down from 29,57 ton to 9,71 ton.

“We have been able to reduce emissions significantly in a challenging situation where fuel costs have increased rapidly. The reduction would be even greater if we could use LNG all the time. However, the record-high market prices of gas have forced us to use diesel as an alternative”, says Peter Ståhlberg, MD of Wasaline.

“Our efforts to cut down emissions are never over. We strive to keep Aurora Botnia as the world’s most environmentally friendly ferry now and in the future. We also see the proposed emissions trading in maritime transport as a positive development, as long as the rules treat all shipping companies equally”, Ståhlberg continues.

For more information, contact:

Managing Director Peter Ståhlberg
[email protected], tel. +358 40 559 2353

Wasaline Wasaline is the northernmost shipping company that transports passengers and cargo daily between Vaasa, Finland and Umeå, Sweden. Wasaline’s new vessel, Aurora Botnia, is the most environmentally friendly passenger ferry in the world. The Key Flag has been awarded to Aurora Botnia as a recognition of Finnish work. For more information: www.wasaline.com.