The decline was driven by lower traffic volumes and sharply higher costs. Total passengers dropped 17% to 453,170, while freight units fell 6% to 49,357. Departures were reduced by 8% owing to the planned docking of FINLANDIA in January. On the key Finland–Estonia route, passenger numbers declined 21% and freight units 12%, eroding market shares to 24% for passengers and 42% for freight. The Åland–Sweden route saw a more modest 9% drop in passengers.

Operating expenses rose 4% to EUR 48.0 million, pressured by docking and upgrade costs for FINLANDIA (including passenger-area expansions and hybrid battery installation), doubled bunker prices linked to geopolitical tensions, and the requirement to cover 100% of ship emissions under the EU ETS. A March incident in which a Coast Guard vessel collided with ECKERÖ in Grisslehamn caused additional trip cancellations, as did adverse weather.

On a positive note, the group invested EUR 5.8 million in vessel upgrades, IT systems, and energy-efficiency measures. The newly acquired FJÄRDVÄGEN (formerly SAILOR) entered service for subsidiary Eckerö Link on the Åland–Finland route. Net debt improved to EUR 1.7 million and solidity rose to 59.9%. Liquidity stood at EUR 6.8 million at quarter-end.

Management described the quarter as cautious, with stable underlying operations overshadowed by the docking schedule and external factors. The company warned that geopolitical uncertainty and potential adjustments to earlier pandemic support could further weigh on the full-year 2026 result.

Full report https://rederiabeckero.ax/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ekonomisk-oversikt-1.1-31.3.2026.pdf

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