NLC Ferry Ab Oy | Press release | 05.10.2026
Peter Ståhlberg steps down as Managing Director of Wasaline for health reasons
After 13 years in the leadership of Wasaline, Managing Director Peter Ståhlberg is stepping down from his position for health reasons.
Ståhlberg joined Wasaline in 2013 as Fleet Manager and was shortly thereafter appointed Managing Director. Under his leadership, the company has undergone an impressive transformation and established itself as a modern and successful operator in passenger and freight traffic between Finland and Sweden.
– After developing an illness this summer that has limited my ability to continue working to the extent I had intended, I have decided to bring forward my retirement I am deeply grateful for the support and trust I have received during my time as Managing Director of Wasaline, says Peter Ståhlberg.
Stena Line, the owner of Wasaline, will shortly initiate the recruitment process to appoint a successor. Susanne Lundström will serve as Deputy Managing Director until a new Managing Director has been appointed.
– Together with his colleagues, Peter has built the Wasaline we know today. He has done an outstanding job in developing a ferry company that few believed in at the beginning. Under his leadership, Wasaline has grown from a loss-making company into a profitable and future-oriented business operating one of the world’s most modern hybrid vessels, Aurora Botnia, says Elisabeth Lönne, Chief Commercial Officer at Stena Line.
One of Peter Ståhlberg’s most significant achievements was leading the procurement process, concept development and design of the newbuild vessel Aurora Botnia.
Before moving ashore, Ståhlberg built an extensive maritime career. He has worked in the shipping industry for 42 years, including 22 years as Master on passenger and cruise vessels around the world. He specialised in polar operations, completing five seasons in Antarctica as well as several seasons in the Arctic and Alaska. In addition, he has been involved in numerous newbuild projects, the establishment of new shipping routes, and various conversion and development projects within the cruise industry.
His extensive experience, visionary leadership and strong commitment have played a decisive role in Wasaline’s development and its position today.
– It has been a privilege to lead such a dedicated and professional organisation, both on board and ashore. I am particularly pleased to have been part of the process of transferring ownership of the company to Stena Line, which I am convinced is the best solution for the long-term development of traffic across the Kvarken region, concludes Ståhlberg.
For more information, please contact:
Catarina Fant, Director, Communications
[email protected], +358 46 921 5811
Peter Ståhlberg, Managing Director
[email protected], +358 40 559 2353
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.
