March 22, 2024
- Entered 2023 with historic loss but made necessary decisions in 2022.
- Economic recovery in 2023 due to stabilized fuel costs, streamlining, and adjusted ticket prices.
- Achieved adjusted operating profit of 161.7 MSEK, turning loss into profit.
Financial performance:
- Revenues at 2,366.4 MSEK, lower than previous year.
- Costs at -2,187.6 MSEK, lower due to discontinuation of Rostock line and vessel divestment.
Transition in fuel:
- Shifted from LNG to MGO in 2022 to mitigate fuel cost increases and avoid Russian gas.
- Negative impact on emissions.
- Started gradual return to LNG due to stabilized fuel prices.
Long-term goal of climate-neutral travel by 2045 remains despite challenges.
- Challenges include low requirements in ongoing tender by Trafikverket for new technology investments.
Gotlandstrafiken’s role:
- Submitted bids for 2027-2035 concession period.
- Confidence in ability to adapt regardless of concession outcome.
- Opportunity to operate during peak demand even without main concession.
Focus on development and expansion:
- Strong liquidity supports investment in ships, properties, and new ventures.
- Acquisition of Birka Gotland and partnership with Viking Line for Baltic cruises signals focus on passenger shipping.
- Investing in biogas production on Gotland and exploring further investments in fossil-free fuels.
- Exciting prospects and significant investments in local hotel and property operations on Gotland.
Read the annual report (in Swedish) here.
Remark
EQT-owned Molslinjen demands that the tender for the ferry service to Gotland be redone. In a letter to the Minister of Infrastructure and to the Swedish Transport Administration, it is claimed that the tender requirements are bad for the environment and cost the state SEK 5 billion in unnecessary expenses.
Source: Dagens industri (in Swedish, and paywalled)