Eckero Group to acquire Aland to Finland ferry service

Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö (Eckerö Group) has agreed to acquire Rederi Fjärdvägen, the operator of the Långnäs to Nådendal ferry route, from Rederi Lillgaard. The transfer of ownership is planned for August 18.

The deal includes the company, all personnel, and its assets, including the Ro-Ro vessel Fjärdvägen. Björn Blomqvist, CEO of the Eckerö Group, stated that the route fits perfectly into the company's strategy of providing "floating bridges" and that a connection between Åland and mainland Finland has been a "missing link" in their transport network.

Rederi Lillgaard, which has operated the route since 1994, said the sale was necessary because commercial conditions have steadily deteriorated in recent years. Trygve Eriksson, the company's Chairman of the Board, stated that it had become, "very challenging to continue operations as an independent company" and that the business needed to be "part of a larger context".

Headquartered in Mariehamn, Åland, the Eckerö Group consists of several business areas, including the Eckerö Linjen ferry service between Åland and Sweden, the Eckerö Line service between Finland and Estonia, and the cargo division Eckerö Shipping.