At the helm – Thomas Doepel navigates Finnlines into its next phase

Thomas Doepel became Finnlines President and CEO on 1 March 2025. With a career that is built both at sea and on shore, he brings a broad and hands-on perspective to the helm of the company. But where does he see the biggest business opportunities ahead – and what are his priorities as he embarks on this new chapter?

Thomas Doepel joined Finnlines in 2010 and has held a wide range of key roles within the company, starting as Head of Purchasing and most recently as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President and Deputy CEO. Before joining Finnlines, he built a solid career both at sea and on shore: as a senior deck officer onboard vessels for several years and later in leadership positions at Tallink Silja and Arctia Shipping, to name just a few.

He has a deep understanding of the maritime industry and recognises both the challenges and opportunities it presents.

The maritime sector is undergoing constant transformation. In recent years, global crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have significantly impacted the industry. The war triggered an energy crisis, which in turn led to rising inflation and interest rates.

What operational adjustments has Finnlines made in response to recent global changes?

To navigate the evolving market, we made strategic changes to both our fleet and services.

The key to maintain a sound and profitable business is to ensure that the asset utilisation rate remains on a good level. This requires constant finetuning of the fleet configuration and quick reaction to changes in customer demand. At the same time, we have continued to diversify our business portfolio, expanding our services outside the Finnish market and further investing in the passenger segment that is a good complement to our freight business.

Some of our traditional traffics inside the Baltic Sea, like forest industry exports to Germany has been thoroughly revised, changing from dedicated system traffic to liner services. By implementing these changes, we have been able to offer a good service at a reasonable cost level.

In April, Finnlines announced the order of three new vessels for the Finland–Germany route. What are your expectations for the route and these ships?

Germany is not only one of Finland’s most important trading partners, but also a strategically significant market for Finnlines. We provide 13 weekly departures in both directions, connecting Helsinki with Travemünde and Hanko with Rostock and Travemünde. The recently announced EUR 500 billion investment in German infrastructure is great news for the entire European economy – and it boosts our optimism for growth in Germany.

Our fleet renewal programme continues. In April, our owner the Grimaldi Group, signed an order for nine vessels, three of which will be deployed on the Helsinki–Travemünde route. A large team of Finnlines professionals has been involved in the development process over the past couple of years, and we are now looking forward to the start of construction. The first new vessels for the Helsinki–Travemünde route will arrive in 2028.

These ships will be equipped with engines capable of running on methanol. Their energy efficiency will be enhanced by hull and propeller designs, and an advanced power management system. This represents a significant step toward carbon neutrality and will considerably reduce CO₂ emissions. It is a strategic investment in the future of the Finland–Germany route – and in the entire region.

There are early signs of economic recovery in the euro area, and Germany’s significant investments are fostering confidence in the future. What does the future look like for Finnlines?

Finnlines has a solid foundation for continued success. I do not foresee the need for major changes – we will remain focused on sustainability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

I continue to see great potential in the Baltic Sea region, even though the security situation has been challenging. Should a ceasefire be reached in Ukraine and stability improve, it could open new doors for growth and cooperation in Northern Europe. Finnlines has already established a strong position as a leading ro-ro and ro-pax operator in the region, and we are well equipped to seize future opportunities.

Our greatest strength lies in our committed and highly skilled people. We combine deep expertise with real-world experience, and our teams are genuinely driven to deliver their best. By investing in their well-being and continuously improving working conditions, we ensure our high service standards and excellent customer experience will remain strong well into the future.

Finnlines plays a vital role in connecting countries across the Baltic Sea and North Sea regions, offering comprehensive and reliable maritime transport services. While our network is broad, our service is especially critical for Finland and Sweden, whose economies and societies are heavily dependent on smooth sea connections. Finnlines is a key player in safeguarding the security of supply for these countries, ensuring uninterrupted transport of goods under all conditions. Our modern digital solutions add efficiency and transparency to the services we provide.

Finnlines’ development path continues steadily forward – through fleet investments, operational excellence, and strategic decision-making. These are the cornerstones on which we are building our future.

“By investing in their well-being and continuously improving working conditions, we ensure our high service standards and excellent customer experience will remain strong well into the future.”