News
Suomen Lauttaliikenne Oy has signed an agreement with the ELY Centre concerning ferry traffic in the Finnish Lakeland region
On 6 October 2025, Suomen Lauttaliikenne Oy signed an agreement with the ELY Centre of Southwest Finland concerning the procurement titled “Road Ferry Traffic Service Lakeland Finland 2026–2047.”
The company has developed an ecological traffic concept for 12 ferry routes in Lakeland Finland. As a result, the transport capacity on these routes will increase to 90 tonnes, removing weight restrictions for heavy traffic.
The ferry fleet in Lakeland Finland will be renewed and electrified, reducing traffic emissions in the area by over 90% compared to current levels. The first upgraded ferries will begin operating on the Lamposaari, Kietävälä, Rongonsalmi, and Tappuvirta routes at the end of 2026. According to the new agreement, all ferry sites will operate with upgraded equipment by summer 2028.
In constructing 14 new ferries, existing vessel hulls will be reused, supporting the company’s ecological values. Reusing old ferry hulls avoids the CO₂ emissions associated with producing new steel. The CO₂ savings compared to building a new ferry are equivalent to approximately 2.5 years of emissions from diesel-powered ferries in Lakeland Finland.
“This 20-year agreement covering 12 ferry sites in Lakeland Finland is a significant step toward carbon-neutral road ferry traffic. Ferry services will be produced more efficiently, sustainably, and cost-effectively. Within the transport sector, road ferry traffic is leading the way toward carbon neutrality while improving service for road users. Our long-term goal is to achieve carbon-neutral road ferry traffic by 2035, which we promote through our procurements and agreements. The transport objective is to provide flexible and cost-effective service delivery that takes into account regional mobility and transport needs,” says Tapani Jaakkola, Road Engineer at the ELY Centre for Southwest Finland
“We are very pleased to introduce environmentally friendly equipment to Lakeland Finland, supporting our strategic vision to be a pioneer in emission-free water transport. This is a major step in the ecological development of road ferry traffic, where we also consider biodiversity alongside emission reduction,” says Håkan Fagerström, CEO of Finferries.
Further information:
Håkan Fagerström, CEO, Finferries
Tel: +358 40 515 6329, email: hakan.fagerstrom(at)finferries.fi
Puutossalmi - 25.08.2025 16:00
The next phase in the modification and improvement work at the Puutossalmi ferry site involves underwater blasting.
The blasting work may cause short traffic stops in the ferry traffic. During these stops, the cable ferry will remain stationary for 10–15 minutes on the west shore before traffic resumes.
Road users are advised to prepare for possible traffic stops by allowing sufficient travel time.
Suomen Lauttaliikenne Oy won the Lake Finland tender
On October 8, 2024, Suomen Lauttaliikenne Oy submitted a bid for the Varsinais-Suomi ELY Centre’s tender “Maantielauttaliikennepalvelu Järvi-Suomi 2026-2046”. Today, October 11, 2024, the ELY Centre announced the procurement decision, according to which Suomen Lauttaliikenne Oy won the tender. The other bidder was the Norwegian company Torghatten Nord As.
The company has developed a highly ecological transport concept for the 12 cable ferry locations in Lake Finland, which will also increase the transport capacity on all routes. The cable ferry fleet in Lake Finland will be renewed and electrified, reducing traffic emissions in the area by approximately 98% from the current level by 2027.
The appeal period for the procurement decision is 14 days.
Further information:
Håkan Fagerström, CEO, Finferries
Tel: +358 40 515 6329, email: hakan.fagerstrom(at)finferries.fi
Commuter ferries on the Hiittinen route and the Rymättylä route will transfer to the ownership of Suomen Saaristovarustamo Oy on 14 June 2024
Following a transaction confirmed today, 14 June 2024, the commuter ferries M/S Stella and M/S Isla will transfer to the ownership of Suomen Saaristovarustamo Oy at 14:00 today. Under the terms of the transaction, responsibility for the operation of the Hiittinen route and the Rymättylä route will also transfer to Suomen Saaristovarustamo Oy.
Ms Isla is currently at Pansio shipyard, during which time the vessel will be painted in the company's colors. The vessel will return to service at the end of June. While Ms Isla is at the shipyard, the Rymättylä route area is operated by a reserve vessel. Ms Stella will be docked after the summer.
Further information:
Håkan Fagerström, CEO, Finferries
Tel: +358 40 515 6329, email: hakan.fagerstrom(at)finferries.fi
Suomen Saaristovarustamo Oy has signed a conditional agreement on the purchase of the vessels operating the Hiittinen route and the Rymättylä route
Suomen Saaristovarustamo Oy, part of the Suomen Lauttaliikenne Group, has on 3 June 2024, signed a conditional agreement on the purchase of the vessels ms Stella and ms Isla owned by Kuljetus-Savolainen Oy.
Finalising the trade will transfer the service agreement, operating commitment and personnel of the Hiittinen route's and the Rymättylä route's vessels to Suomen Saaristovarustamo Oy. The deal is due to be completed during June 2024.
Further information:
Håkan Fagerström, CEO, Finferries
tel: +358 40 515 6329, email: hakan.fagerstrom(at)finferries.fi