Suomen Lauttaliikenne Oy has signed an agreement with the ELY Centre concerning ferry traffic in the Finnish Lakeland region
Published on 06.10.2025
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