August 8, 2025
- Viking Line is considering moving operations from Åland to Sweden following a proposed change to Finland’s shipping subsidy rules.
- Finland’s Finance Minister Riikka Purra has announced that service personnel will no longer be included in manning support.
- The move could save the state €36 million, but Viking Line’s Information Director Johanna Boijer-Svahnström called it “a cold shower” and warned of “drastic measures”.
- The proposal is part of the 2026 budget bill and has raised serious concern within the Åland-based shipping community.
- Wasaline CEO Peter Ståhlberg also warns of serious consequences if Finland’s Ministry of Finance proceeds with its plan to remove manning subsidies for ferry service personnel.
- Ståhlberg predicts 90% of the Finnish-flagged merchant fleet could reflag to other countries if the cut is implemented.
- “Finland is practically an island – we only share one land border with the EU. All other transport depends on the sea.”
Sources: yle.fi and Omni Ekonomi / Nya Åland