Finnlines honoured as Transport Company of the Year

Finnlines won the “Transport Company of the Year” award at the Finnish Travel Gala, which took place in Vantaa (Finland) on 1 November. The event, which celebrates significant achievements in both domestic and international tourism, is organized by the Association of Finnish Travel Industry (SMAL), a consortium of about 160 travel agencies, tour operators and incoming agencies. The awards are determined through a combination of public voting and expert jury decisions, involving nearly 13,500 consumers and travel industry professionals.

The “Transport Company of the Year” prize acknowledges Finnlines’ freight-passenger vessels, which help maintain Finland’s security of supply and offer travellers a sustainable option to reach Åland, Sweden and Germany by sea. In 2023 and 2024, Finnlines introduced two state-of-the-art vessels, the Finnsirius and the Finncanopus, on the Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär route. These eco-efficient vessels are part of Finnlines’ 500 million euro Green Investment Program. They are the company’s largest ro-pax vessels: each can accommodate up to 1,100 passengers and 5.2 lane kilometres of cargo.

With over 75 years in the industry and a fleet of approximately 20 vessels operating across the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Bay of Biscay, Finnlines plays a vital role in maintaining Europe’s supply chains. The company makes continuous efforts to improve its environmental sustainability with the aid of innovative and eco-efficient technology.  

“We are truly honoured to receive this award, and I want to thank our skilled and competent employees as well as our partners for their collective efforts,” said Finnlines Head of Passenger Services Marco Palmu upon collecting the award. “With the arrival of our new ships, the Finnlines travel experience has improved enormously, and I also want to thank all of you who voted for us.”

In addition, the Finnsirius launch campaign, “Let’s Get Sirius!”, earned Finnlines a nomination for the “Marketing Campaign of the Year” award at the Finnish Travel Gala. It promoted the ship’s name using a clever play on words and made a strong service promise: “We take your comfort seriously”. In fact, passengers on board can enjoy amenities such as seven restaurants and bars, a luxury spa, a premium lounge and hotel-like staterooms.

From January to September 2024, the number of passengers on the Finland–Sweden route grew by over 120% compared to the same period in 2023, reflecting the impact of Finnlines’ new ships and marketing investments.