Wasaline
Wasaline connects Vaasa in Finland with Umeå in northern Sweden, all year round and with a single ship, the Aurora Botnia. Here you'll find out who's behind the company and what you need to know for the crossing over the Kvarken.
About Wasaline
Table of Contents
About Wasaline
Wasaline is the brand of the ferry company NLC Ferry Ab Oy, and operates the crossing over the Kvarken between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden. The company carries passengers, vehicles and freight all year round, and besides the one-way crossing also sells day cruises and hotel packages in both countries.
A single ship sails the route, the Aurora Botnia. She was built at Rauma Marine Constructions in Finland, with more than 80 per cent of the value added in Finland. The ship is 150 metres long and 26 metres wide, sails at 20 knots, and has room for 935 passengers in 68 cabins, plus 1,500 lane metres for lorries and cars. The engines run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), biogas or biodiesel, supported by a 12.6 MWh battery. Deck 7 has lounges, a shop, a children's area, a bar and a pub, while deck 8 holds the cabins, the Archipelago buffet, the Bistro Botnia and the cafeteria.
History and group
Until 2011 the route was served by RG Line, which filed for insolvency in November 2011. In January 2012 the cities of Vaasa and Umeå jointly founded NLC Ferry, which resumed services in 2013 with the Wasa Express. On 28 August 2021 the Aurora Botnia took over from the Wasa Express. In November 2025, Stena Line announced the takeover of NLC Ferry, completed in early 2026. The Wasaline brand continues, and the Aurora Botnia still belongs to Kvarken Link, the joint company of Umeå and Vaasa. Stena Line calls Wasaline the world's northernmost ferry company.
Wasaline to Sweden
The only route is Vaasa - Umeå. The crossing takes 3.5 to 4 hours, with one or two departures from Vaasa depending on the day of the week. In Vaasa the ship departs from the island of Vaskiluoto, around four kilometres west of the centre; in Sweden it arrives in Holmsund, around 20 kilometres outside Umeå. Transfers to and from town are available at both terminals.
Check-in opens no later than two hours before departure. With a vehicle you should be at the vehicle gates at least an hour beforehand, or 30 minutes on foot; the gangway and check-in close 20 minutes before departure. Register pets when booking. Departures for your travel day are shown in the timetable.
FAQ Wasaline
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Wasaline and the ferry to Sweden
Which ferry route to Sweden does Wasaline operate? +
Wasaline's route to Sweden is Vaasa - Umeå. The crossing over the Kvarken takes 3.5 to 4 hours, with one or two departures from Vaasa depending on the day of the week.
Who owns Wasaline? +
Wasaline is the brand of the ferry company NLC Ferry Ab Oy, which has been part of Stena Line since early 2026. The Wasaline brand continues, and the ship still belongs to Kvarken Link, the joint company of the cities of Umeå and Vaasa.
Which ship does Wasaline use? +
Wasaline sails with the Aurora Botnia. She is 150 metres long, has room for 935 passengers in 68 cabins, and runs on liquefied natural gas (LNG), biogas or biodiesel, supported by a 12.6 MWh battery.
Can I bring a car, motorhome or dog? +
Yes. One vehicle per booking travels with you; there's no shore power for motorhomes on board. Register your pet when booking; they travel in the Pet Lounge on deck 7 or in the car. More in our guides Travelling to Sweden by motorhome and Travelling to Sweden with a dog.