Wasaline has reported a record 2022:
The number of guests who travelled in 2022 between Eckerö and Grisslehamn is much higher than the year before, and is about 82% of the passenger volume in pre-covid year 2019.
From 1 July 2022, all entry restrictions from Sweden to Åland were also removed, which meant that many Swedes again booked Åland as their holiday destination via the Eckerö Line in 2022.
Photographer: Niclas Nordl
AURORA BOTNIA carried 267,757 passengers between Vaasa and Umeå in 2022.
The year was a success in many ways:
+149% increase in passenger volume
+11.5% increase in transported tonnes
+4.4% cargo units
+126% increase in transported passenger vehicles
+14% departures of AURORA BOTNIA
+78.6% turnover
-19.6% reduction in CO2 emissions
Wasaline and NextLog have co-operated in developing an integration between CarRes freight management system and LogiControl transport management system. Operators using LogiControl can now enjoy a stream-lined booking process for freight bound for ropax Aurora Botnia.
Revenue +56.8%
Passenger revenue +89.7%
Passenger volume +87.5%
Freight revenue +28.5%
Cargo units +25.3%
Since AURORA BOTNIA was taken into operation on 28 August, the departure frequency increased by 39%
The result before year-end appropriations and taxes was EUR +628,392 (-726,893 in 2020).
Freight:
Passenger:
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic that continued for most of 2021, passenger volumes increased by 87.5% and Wasaline carried 107,659 passengers (57,415). The number of passenger vehicles increased by 69.2%. During the Autumn, when the corona passport was used for entry, the passenger growth was significant.
After the traffic start of AURORA BOTNIA, passenger volumes were all-time high every month. Unfortunately, the positive development was interrupted in mid-December when the new Covid-19 variant and tightening of travel restrictions were introduced again.
The departures increased by 21.3% to 990 departures (816).
Cargo volumes were all time high since Wasaline started the traffic 2013, and cargo units increased by 25.3%. The increase in tonnes was 27.5%. Every month throughout 2021, the company has had growth in cargo volumes.
Due to Covid-19 the turnover decreased during the year with 46.4%.
The passenger turnover decreased by 71.8% and passenger volume by 72%.
Turnover for the cargo traffic increased with 7.5% and cargo volume increased with 6.6%.
The operating result decreased with 133% = €-745,000 (€2,114,000)
The pandemic will strongly affect Wasalines result also in 2021.
Restrictions are expected to continue during the year.
During the year the newbuilding project with AURORA BOTNIA has proceeded according to the plan at RMC, Rauma and will continue intensively until the delivery expected in April-May 2021. There is a risk of delay in the delivery, though, due to the Covid-19.
The next Stena RoRo ship to join Brittany Ferries’ fleet will be called SALAMANCA.
The launch ceremony took place on 6 January 2021 at the CMJL shipyard in Weihai, China. She is the second of three E-Flexer class ships ordered by Brittany Ferries.
Both SALAMANCA (2022) and SANTOÑA (2023) will be powered by LNG and will serve the company’s long-distance routes connecting the UK with Spain.
The facilities for storing LNG will be supplied by Repsol in Spain. Under the terms of the agreement, the fuel company will build two quayside LNG bunkering terminals in the ports of Santander and Bilbao, including a 1,000 m3 storage tank to ensure uninterrupted supply.
2020, a challenging year for Wasaline, with many positive signs, despite of covid-19
“Despite all the challenges we have with Covid-19, I look forward to 2021. With a steady increase on the cargo side, we see that the new vessel with greater cargo capacity is needed. With the extensive savings programs we have managed to keep the economy at a
satisfactory level. We would like to extend a big thank you to all our cargo customers and to all staff who do an outstanding job daily of reviewing all costs and ensuring that emergency traffic works smoothly across Kvarken “, says Peter Ståhlberg, CEO of Wasaline.
