The Finnlines Group’s revenue in January–March 2025 amounted to €166 million (US$188 million) compared to €162.2 million (US$184 million) during the same period in 2024.
The group's gross operating profit in Q1 2025 amounted to €7.9 million (US$9 million) compared to €400,000 (US$450,000) in Q1 2024.
During the reporting period, Finnlines transported 194,000 cargo units, 18,000 cars, and 297,000 tonnes of non-unitised freight. In total, 165,000 passengers travelled on the company's ships.
"The first quarter of the year was quite satisfactory," said Thomas Doepel, President and CEO of Finnlines.
"In 2024, Finnlines had to adapt its fleet to meet changed market conditions. By rationalising the fleet composition and by re-organising some of its freight services, Finnlines was able to improve its profitability.
"This combined with reduced debt and falling interest rates were the main drivers behind the significant result improvements."
Shipping was included in the EU emissions trading system in 2024 and in the FuelEU Maritime scheme from January 2025. The trading system obligates shipping companies to buy emission allowances for ships’ CO2 emissions and FuelEU requires that fossil fuels should be gradually replaced with more expensive alternative fuels.
The objective of these schemes is to tackle climate change and therefore extra charges are added on energy costs.
Finnlines said that, with higher energy costs, modern and energy efficient vessels, economies of scale and high capacity utilisation are key success factors to be able to offer affordable low or "zero carbon" transportation, which is demanded by customers.
"The geopolitical atmosphere continues to be tense but there is some light [at the end of] the tunnel," said Doepel. "With hope for stability in Ukraine, we anticipate positive growth opportunities in Northern Europe.
"Germany’s decision to relax its debt brake and invest €500 billion (US$570 billion) in infrastructure will stimulate its economy. As the leading Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax company in the Baltic Sea area, Finnlines is in pole position to capitalize on a German economy recovery."