Finnish ferry operator, Wasaline reduced its total carbon dioxide emissions by 5% last year, from already low levels.
In 2024, the use of green shore power increased by 22%, reaching 2,707 MWh, saving 1,800 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Cargo increased in 2024 by 6% in tonnage terms and by 3.2% in lane m. However, passenger numbers decreased by 9%. and the number of passenger vehicles transported fell by 9% and bus numbers dropped by 1.3%.
Revenue dropped by 3.7%, but the result is expected to be about the same level as last year, Wasaline said.
Although the year was marked by declining numbers in passenger traffic, Wasaline claimed that it maintained its market share in the passenger segment. There was also an increase in Wasaline’s market share for passenger vehicles and buses. Despite a slight decrease in the number of buses, the Wasaline market share in this segment grew by 50%.
In 2024, an intermodal transport corridor from Umeå to southern Sweden and Europe began. By first transporting cargo by ferry from Vaasa to Umeå and then using the Swedish railway network to southern Sweden and on to Europe, the cargo becomes highly environmentally friendly, and CO2 emissions are minimised.
During the year, Wasaline also introduced fully carbon-neutral transport for both passengers and cargo, where climate compensation is directly allocated to purchasing biofuel or battery resources.
“Our plan is to become a fully carbon-neutral shipping company by 2030, but already today, Wasaline is a benchmark for shipping companies worldwide. We continuously develop our operations together with partners to achieve carbon-neutral traffic,” explained Peter Ståhlberg, Wasaline’s Managing Director.
The company’s hybrid ropax is equipped with batteries and dual-fuel engines powered by LNG and biogas. The batteries are used in port areas, where the ship can operate entirely on electricity, further reducing its environmental impact.
When the ‘Aurora Botnia’ is berthed in port, she is directly connected to green shore power, making the vessel completely carbon-neutral.
“We look forward to 2025 and can already see in the booking trends that the economy is turning for the better, both for passengers and cargo. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our customers and partners. Above all, I would like to give a special thanks to our fantastic staff, who have contributed with increased efficiency, improved on board sales, and a strong focus on cost awareness,” Ståhlberg added.
