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Tag: Finnlines | Ferry Shipping News

Nov 21
3

Finnlines Back on Track With Strong Passenger Growth

By | 2025 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

Highlights January–September 2025

  • Revenue: EUR 547.1m (2024: 547.2m)
  • EBIT: EUR 74.5m (72.3m)
  • Result for the period: EUR 68.4m (52.1m)
  • Interest-bearing debt reduced to EUR 344m (–EUR 43m)
  • EBITDA: EUR 141.6m, up 1%
  • Passenger revenue: EUR 89.5m, +EUR 7.2m year-on-year

Thomas Doepel, President and CEO:

“The first nine months re-confirm that we are back on track again. Our ro-ro fleet rationalisation and investments in passenger traffic formed the basis of this satisfactory result.”

Cargo volumes totalled 592,000 units, 51,000 cars, and 871,000 tonnes of non-unitised freight, while 831,000 passengers and drivers travelled with Finnlines.

The company continues its long-term commitment to green shipping. In April, Finnlines announced a new investment programme for three methanol-powered RoPax vessels, due to enter service between Finland and Germany in 2028–2029.

Further measures include low-carbon transport solutions, ship electrification, biofuels, and network optimisation.

Finnlines remains focused on strengthening routes between Sweden–Poland, Finland–Poland, and Poland–Belgium/France/UK/Spain, linking to the global Grimaldi Group network.

Financial review click on picture below

Oct 10
3

Finnlines Passenger Numbers Up 14% in Summer

By | 2025 Newsletter week 41 | No Comments
  • Finnlines carried 14% more private passengers between June and August 2025 compared with the same period in 2024.
  • Growth was strongest on the Malmö–Świnoujście route (+38%), which opened in April 2024.
  • Other routes also performed well: Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär (+19%) and Malmö–Travemünde and Helsinki–Travemünde (+4% each).
  • “We are delighted with the results and with the warm reception of our Poland service. We see great potential ahead,” says Marco Palmu, Head of Passenger Services.
  • The success reflects the impact of new routes and modernised vessels, including FINNSIRIUS and FINNCANOPUS, which have enhanced the passenger experience on the Sweden–Finland route.
Aug 01
3

Finnlines Financial Review January–June 2025

By | 2025 Newsletter week 31 | No Comments

Thomas Doepel, President and CEO:

“Fleet rationalisation and investment in passenger traffic are now paying off. Despite a weak freight market, reduced debt and lower interest rates have contributed to significantly better results.”

Key Figures (January–June 2025 vs 2024)

  • Revenue: EUR 351.9m (–2%)
  • EBITDA: EUR 84.5m (+1%)
  • EBIT: EUR 39.9m (+6%)
  • Result for the Period: EUR 36.3m (+50%)
  • Interest-Bearing Debt: EUR 313.7m (–150.4m)
  • Equity Ratio: 57.5% (up from 54.8%)

Operational Highlights

  • Cargo Units: 399,000 (–0.3%)
  • Cars: 37,000 (–21%)
  • Non-Unitised Freight: 584,000 tons (–11%)
  • Passengers (incl. drivers): 439,000 (+7%)

Strategic Developments

  • Green Lane service launched: 100% electric transport (Finland–Sweden) and biofuel use reduce emissions by up to 90%.
  • New RoPax Order: Three methanol-powered vessels for the Finland–Germany route in 2028–2029.
  • New Route: Gdynia added to North Sea rotation in June 2025.

Financial Notes

  • Operating Cash Flow: EUR 70.8m (+18%)
  • Capex: EUR 62.6m (up from EUR 8.8m)
  • Net Gearing: Improved to 41.6% (from 60.8%)

Market Outlook

  • Freight demand remains soft.
  • Passenger business shows strong recovery.
  • Full-year result expected to improve.
Jun 20
3

Finnlines Refreshes Star-Class Vessels Ahead of Summer 2025

By | 2025 Newsletter week 25 | No Comments

Finnlines has completed a major refurbishment of its Star-class freight-passenger vessels FINNSTAR, FINNLADY, and FINNMAID, operating between Helsinki and Travemünde. The upgrades focus on passenger comfort, with newly renovated cafés, lounges, and exterior terraces offering a modern, relaxed atmosphere.

The Vista Lounge now features soft seating and sea-view sofas, while the Café & Terrace area has been updated with new furniture, sheltered teak decking, and a refreshed menu. Interiors have been redesigned with soft blues and natural wood finishes for a calm, seaside feel.

Looking ahead, Finnlines will introduce three new Hansa Superstar-class vessels on the Finland–Germany route between 2028 and 2029. The current Star-class ships will be redeployed elsewhere in the network.

Jun 14
3

Finnlines Adds Gdynia to its Weekly North Sea Service

By | 2025 Newsletter week 24 | No Comments

Starting from week 26, Finnlines will expand its North Sea network by including the Port of Gdynia, Poland in the weekly rotation.

This route offers a cost-effective and practical intermodal alternative to the road transport for goods moving to and from Poland to Belgium, France, the UK, Spain, and Finland. Additionally, it enables to connect Poland directly to the global Grimaldi Group network, offering links to the Far East, the Middle East, Mediterranean, West Africa, South America and the East Coast of the United States.

To support the service expansion, Finnlines is also introducing brand-new 80-foot mafis with embedded rails, specifically designed to facilitate the transportation of non-standard cargo – such as trains and wagons – with greater efficiency and flexibility.

May 30
3

Deltamarin Wins Design Contract for Finnlines’ New Hansa Superstar Class Ropax Vessels

By | 2025 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments

Deltamarin has signed a contract with China Merchants Weihai Shipyard to design three new ‘Hansa Superstar’ class RoPax vessels for Finnlines, set to operate on the Finland-Germany route in the Baltic Sea.

Earlier, Knud E Hansen announced that its Interior Design Department has been selected to lead the Interior and Exterior design for four of Grimaldi Lines´s latest vessels.

May 23
3

Finnlines Launches Green Lane – Emissions Cut by Up to 90%

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Finnlines introduces Green Lane, a new sea transportation service designed to reduce emissions through the use of electricity and biofuels.

Key Points:

  • Launch date: 22 May 2025
  • Two Green Lane options:
    • 100% electric-powered shipments (Naantali–Kapellskär)
    • Biofuel-powered shipments on key Baltic routes

Electric Option:

  • Available on Naantali–Kapellskär route using FINNSIRIUS and FINNCANOPUS
  • Ships equipped with 5 MWh batteries, charged at berth with shore power
  • Enables fossil-free transport for selected freight
  • Despite larger capacity, CO₂ emissions per nautical mile down by 22%

Biofuel Option:

Routes: Naantali–Kapellskär, Malmö–Travemünde, Malmö–Świnoujście, Hanko–Gdynia

  • Biofuels from renewable sources
  • Up to 90% GHG reduction well-to-wake
  • Example: 700 kg CO₂ reduction per trailer (Hanko–Gdynia)

For Passengers:

  • Available on all Finnlines’ passenger routes
  • Emissions offset with renewable biofuels equivalent to passenger volume
May 09
3

Finnlines Q1 2025: What Does the new CEO Say?

By | 2025 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

10 key takeaways from Thomas Doepel, President and CEO

  1. Q1 2025 was “quite satisfactory”
    CEO Thomas Doepel reported a solid start to the year, with profitability improved through strategic adjustments made in 2024.
  2. Fleet rationalisation paid off
    By optimising fleet composition and reorganising freight services, Finnlines boosted its profitability despite market challenges.
  3. Falling interest rates supported results
    Alongside operational changes, reduced debt levels and lower interest rates were major contributors to improved financial performance.
  4. Significant growth in earnings
    Revenue rose to EUR 166.0 million (up from EUR 162.2 million), and EBT surged to EUR 7.9 million (from just EUR 0.4 million in Q1 2024).
  5. Solid transport volumes
    In Q1, Finnlines transported:

    • 194,000 cargo units
    • 18,000 cars
    • 297,000 tonnes of non-unitised freight
    • 165,000 passengers
  6. New RoPax ships ordered by parent company
    After the reporting period, the Grimaldi Group announced an order for nine new ro-pax vessels, including three for the Baltic Sea (Helsinki–Travemünde)
  7. Methanol-ready engines for future fleet
    All nine new vessels will be methanol-capable, aligning with Finnlines’ ambition to reach net zero emissions.
  8. Geopolitical tensions remain—but optimism is emerging
    While the situation in Europe remains uncertain, a possible stabilisation in Ukraine could open new growth avenues in Northern Europe.
  9. Germany’s infrastructure push seen as a growth catalyst
    Germany’s EUR 500 billion investment plan is expected to stimulate economic activity—Finnlines aims to capitalise on this as a Baltic Sea leader.
  10. Finnlines well-positioned in the Baltic
    With up to 26 weekly departures between Finland and Germany, and nearly 40 between Sweden and Germany, Finnlines is strategically placed to benefit from any upturn in demand.

Read the Q1 2025 interim report here, by clicking on the cover:

Apr 06
3

Finnlines Evaluates the Route between Malmö and Świnoujście, One Year Later

By | 2025 Newsletter week 14 | No Comments

Five key takeaways:

  1. Successful Launch of Sweden–Poland Ro-Pax Route:

Finnlines launched a daily Malmö–Świnoujście ro-pax service in April 2024, transporting freight, private passengers, and professional drivers. The route has met expectations and complements Finnlines’ wider network.

  1. Infrastructure Upgrades at Ports:

To support the new service, Świnoujście’s terminal area was expanded and passenger facilities in Malmö were improved, enhancing the travel experience and accommodating growing volumes.

  1. Growing Passenger Demand and Group Travel:

Passenger numbers are rising, especially during the summer and holidays. Group travel is also seeing strong growth across all routes, including the new Sweden–Poland connection.

  1. Future Potential and Fleet Expansion Plans:

Despite challenges due to the war in Ukraine, Finnlines is considering adding another vessel to the route when market conditions improve.

  1. Strategic Importance to Sweden:

Finnlines plays a crucial role in Swedish trade, logistics, and security of supply, operating under the Swedish flag and strengthening connections with Finland, Germany, and now Poland.