Editorial

Building sustainable growth together

Sea transport is vital for Finland, with up to 96% of the country’s foreign trade transported by sea. A significant portion of this trade is transported on Finnlines vessels. In the first half of the year alone, Finnlines transported more than 399,000 cargo units and 439,000 passengers.

We maintain two key maritime corridors from Finland to Sweden and Germany. Our presence in Sweden is also strong: more than 90% of the country’s foreign trade is handled by sea, and Finnlines operates six vessels offering six daily departures from Sweden to Finland, Germany and Poland.

Our commitment to Poland has also been long-standing. For over 30 years, we have connected Finland with the growing Polish market. Last year, we launched a new route from Poland to Sweden, and this summer we expanded our network in the North Sea & Biscay Line by adding a weekly departure from Poland.

The importance of reliable logistics continues to grow. Finnlines is not only part of the supply chain, but also a provider of critical infrastructure. We enable the smooth running of everyday life, safeguard the security of supply, and help ensure that society functions seamlessly.

The power of flag

For us, security of supply is not an abstract concept, but part of our daily work. It requires continuous preparedness, planning, and action, where technology, expertise, and the commitment to serving society come together. Building resilience demands long-term commitment, sustained investment, and close collaboration with authorities and other stakeholders.

Security of supply is about more than just routes or ships. It’s about ensuring that a nation stays connected, resilient and operational under all circumstances. That’s why the flag flown on a vessel matters deeply.

Today, 14 Finnlines vessels sail under the Finnish flag and four under Swedish flag. Each year, essential goods, from food to medical supplies, are carried on these vessels, ensuring Finland’s and Sweden’s readiness in all conditions.

When a ship carries the Finnish flag, it signals more than nationality. It represents a national commitment: manned by Finnish crews, governed under Finnish legislation and contributing the country’s
readiness and autonomy. It’s a visible pledge to safeguard national interest.

The same principle holds true in Sweden. Swedish flagged vessels are crewed, operated, and regulated in a way
that strengthens Sweden’s security of supply and ensures continuity in all conditions. Our work may not always make the headlines—but it is visible wherever logistics run smoothly. That is why it matters.

Working together

Success is built on strong collaboration with various stakeholders. Finnlines works closely with authorities,
participates actively in major industry associations in Finland and Europe, and raises awareness of the importance of the sector through the media. Our goal is to promote sustainable maritime transport and highlight its value in public debate.

Equally important is fostering collaboration within the company. This means strengthening internal communication, reinforcing collegial connections, and supporting cooperation between teams. These are long-term commitments based on our values and the feedback we have received.

Over the past few months, we have seen promising progress and will continue to move forward with
determination. We remain fully committed to these priorities, as genuine collaboration, mutual respect, and
learning from one another will take us to the next level.

20 vessels in 20 years

For decades, Finnlines has been committed to providing economically and environmentally sustainable services. We have made significant investments in energy efficiency and fleet renewal: over the past 20 years, we have built or acquired a total of 20 vessels. A total investment of two billion euros. Maintaining a competitive fleet has meant, on average, one new ship every year.

Each new vessel represents an investment of around EUR 100 million. Thanks to energy-saving technologies and hybrid function with shore power connection, for example,
our newest ro-pax vessels Finnsirius and Finncanopus achieve 22% lower CO2 emissions per nautical mile compared previous vessels deployed on the same service, already then emitting much less than competitors’ vessels.

These investments have strengthened Finnlines’ competitiveness by enabling economies of scale, reducing costs, and lowering the carbon footprint of freight transport.

We are constantly developing new methods to achieve significant emission reductions. One concrete example is our Green Lane service, which provides freight customers with practical solutions to reduce their CO₂ emissions and meet climate targets. Later in this issue, our feature story highlights the benefits of Green Lane, underlining our commitment to shape the future of shipping.