Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The Nordic Times

Polaris of Enlightenment

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/stena-line-expands-in-the-baltic-sea-acquires-wasaline/

The Nordics

Stena Line expands in the Baltic Sea – acquires Wasaline

Published today 7:26 am – By Editorial staff
Stena Line operates a total of 20 ferry routes across Europe and employs around 6,500 people – the Vaasa-Umeå route will become the shipping company's fifth line in the Baltic Sea.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Swedish shipping company Stena Line is taking over the ferry service between Vaasa, Finland and Umeå, Sweden through the acquisition of Wasaline.

However, the ferry Aurora Botnia will remain owned by the cities through Kvarken Link, and the deal must be approved by the city councils later in November.

Stena Line is expanding its presence in the Baltic Sea through the acquisition of NLC Ferry Ab Oy, which operates the ferry line under the name Wasaline. The agreement was signed on Tuesday and means that Stena Line will take over operations of the route connecting the two important regional cities.

Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line, welcomes the deal in a comment to Finnish broadcaster Yle:

— It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we at Stena Line take over responsibility for Wasaline and the route between two important regions and cities, Vaasa and Umeå.

Ferry remains in city ownership

The vessel Aurora Botnia, which has operated the route since 2021, will continue to be owned by Kvarken Link while responsibility for daily operations transfers entirely to Stena Line. Peter Ståhlberg, CEO of Wasaline, sees the acquisition as a natural step:

— It is strategically important to ensure that traffic between Vaasa and Umeå continues and has opportunities to grow in the future. This will mean a major boost for the region with significant positive synergies.

Frans Villanen, chairman of the city council in Vaasa, emphasizes the importance of bringing in a larger operator with greater resources:

— We are very proud of how bold we were in Vaasa city and Umeå municipality when we decided that the ferry was needed across the Kvarken strait and the project became reality. But now it's time to bring in a larger operator with knowledge, expertise and resources that we in the cities don't have.

"Great opportunities"

Finnish Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Joakim Strand, who is also a council member in Vaasa, views the deal positively:

— This is very positive news. What I think is excellent is that the ferry itself, meaning the infrastructure, remains in municipal ownership while operations are run by a strong company like Stena Line.

According to Strand, Stena Line's extensive network and experience with European logistics flows will benefit the region.

— This will create great opportunities to put the Kvarken region, Vaasa and Umeå even more on the map. This shows that there is strong belief in our region.

Fifth line in the Baltic Sea

With the Vaasa-Umeå route, Stena Line gains its fifth ferry line in the Baltic Sea. The shipping company, which has its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, operates a total of 20 lines across Europe and employs around 6,500 people. The company's annual revenue amounts to €1.7 billion.

Wasaline has in recent years steadily broken new passenger and freight records, although last year showed a slight decline in passenger numbers.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/finland/finnish-region-loses-millions-in-revenue-after-border-closure-with-russia/

Finland

Finnish region loses millions in revenue after border closure with Russia

The new cold war

Published today 9:21 am – By Editorial staff
The border crossing between Russia (Svetogorsk) and Finland (Imatra)
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Finnish region of South Karelia has been severely impacted economically since Finland closed its border with Russia at the end of 2023. Tourism revenue has decreased by approximately one million euros per day, and hotels, restaurants and shops stand empty.

South Karelia is located closer to St. Petersburg than to Helsinki, the Finnish capital, and has maintained extensive economic ties with Russia for decades.

The region's economy has been built on cross-border tourism, shopping, timber trade and local jobs within the forest industry.

Finland's decision to close the 1,430-kilometer land border with Russia was motivated by accusations that Moscow had deliberately created an increased migrant flow from Africa and the Middle East to Finland. Moscow has in turn dismissed the accusations as "completely groundless".

Impact on local businesses

Hotels, restaurants and shops in the region now stand largely empty, reports Bloomberg.

– Russian customers asked why we couldn’t stay open around the clock. They bought clothes in stacks – mostly the latest fashion and bling, but even winter coats were sold out by August, says Sari Tukiainen, who runs a shop in Imatra, a Finnish border town.

Due to decreased sales, Tukiainen plans to close the shop at the end of the year. Unemployment in Imatra has simultaneously risen to 15 percent, the highest in Finland, as factories and steel mills have reduced their workforce.

Historically, Finland has had a complex relationship with Russia. The country was part of the Russian Empire for over a century, and despite two wars with the Soviet Union during World War II, a friendly relationship was maintained during the Cold War.

After the war in Ukraine escalated in 2022, Finland was early to impose sanctions against Moscow. The country also abandoned its long-standing neutrality by joining the US-led military alliance NATO, a step that has further changed the economic and political dynamics in the region.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/denmark/copenhagen-to-become-hub-for-ukrainian-arms-exports/

Denmark

Copenhagen to become hub for Ukrainian arms exports

The war in Ukraine

Published yesterday 5:11 pm – By Editorial staff
In September, a Ukrainian rocket fuel factory was established in Sønderjylland, Denmark – now the collaboration is taking another step with a weapons export office in the capital.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Ukraine plans to open two arms export offices in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Berlin, Germany, before the end of the year, despite expected Russian reactions. The aim is to finance domestic production of in-demand weapons systems by selling surplus production, confirms President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen welcomes the announcement, but Danish television channel TV 2's defense correspondent Anders Lomholt warns that the decision is not without risks for Denmark.

— Russia will definitely see it as a provocation. We saw very sharp reactions when it was decided to allow a Ukrainian factory near Vojens where they will manufacture rocket fuel, says Lomholt.

Denmark and Germany were selected due to their willingness to cooperate both at the state level and within the defense industry. The offices will promote exports of Ukrainian weapons that are not in high demand domestically, while the revenues will be used to purchase advanced American weapons systems.

— This is about weapons that we can afford to sell, so that we get money for our domestic production of things that we lack and that we don't have enough money for, says Zelensky.

Revenue finances US weapons

From the Russian side, there is according to the defense correspondent great dissatisfaction that Denmark is not only supporting Ukraine, but also actively promoting Ukrainian arms industry with massive weapons support.

Among the weapons that Ukraine continues to develop and export are the Flamingo and Ruta missiles. The money from exports will be used to purchase expensive American weapons systems such as Patriot missiles and the Tomahawk cruise missile, although the latter still lacks approval from the United States.

Zelensky also states that Ukraine aims to produce 600-800 interceptor drones per day by the end of November. These are used to fill gaps that have emerged due to a shortage of air defense systems.

— This is really very good news for Denmark and especially for our defense industry, that they now prioritize cooperating even more closely with Denmark, claims Troels Lund Poulsen

Today's announcement is the latest development in the increasingly deep cooperation between Denmark and Ukraine. In September, it was announced that a Ukrainian company will produce rocket fuel for the Ukrainian defense forces in Sønderjylland.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/twelve-deaths-linked-to-serious-home-care-failures-in-sweden/

Sweden

Twelve deaths linked to serious home care failures in Sweden

Published November 3, 2025 – By Editorial staff
In several situations, alarms were forgotten when staff were occupied with other tasks.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

At least twelve elderly people died in connection with serious failures in home care services during 2024 in Sweden. In five of the cases, they called for help without anyone responding, according to an investigation of Lex Sarah cases.

The Swedish Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO) closed 190 so-called Lex Sarah reports regarding failures in home care services during 2024. The investigation, conducted by publicly funded Swedish broadcaster SVT, identified twelve deaths where inadequate care played a role.

In five of the cases, it involved safety alarms that were either forgotten or handled incorrectly. One person called for help seven times before passing away. Another, who had suffered a stroke, had to wait over two hours for assistance. Several died alone.

An additional four care recipients died after being left without food, care, or both for extended periods.

— This must not happen and it says something about the staff's working conditions, says Lars Rahm at IVO to SVT.

Twelve deaths

In total, the investigation shows 43 cases where failures in alarm handling led to or risked leading to serious consequences. In several situations, alarms were forgotten when staff who had received them were occupied with other tasks.

Furthermore, SVT has also identified an additional twelve deaths where it cannot be ruled out that the outcome could have been different with different actions. In five of these cases, staff had left the location despite the care recipient not opening the door.

Rahm describes the results as very concerning and points out that the Lex Sarah reports likely only show a fraction of reality.

— This is a highly worrying outcome. IVO's other information, such as tips and complaints, suggests underreporting, he says.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/finland/finnish-municipality-phases-out-ultra-processed-foods-in-schools/

Finland

Finnish municipality phases out ultra-processed foods in schools

Published November 3, 2025 – By Editorial staff
Bouillon cubes and ready-made sauce bases are to be replaced with natural ingredients in the schools of Sipoo, Finland. The changes are expected to be visible on the menus next year.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Finnish municipality of Sipoo is implementing comprehensive changes to school meals to reduce the use of ultra-processed foods. Bouillon cubes and ready-made sauce bases will be replaced with natural ingredients.

In August, the municipality formed an expert group consisting of the food service manager, purchasing manager, nutritional therapist, and meal development specialist – with the goal of developing clear guidelines to reduce the use of additives and ultra-processed foods in school meals.

The proposals the group has presented so far include eliminating bouillon cubes and industrial sauce bases and replacing them with salt, spices, and other natural ingredients. Cooking cream will be used to a much greater extent than vegetable fat.

The changes are expected to appear on school menus either in spring or fall of next year. Intensive work is currently underway to reformulate recipes for brown sauce, bolognese sauce, and chicken sauce.

— The cook and chill method, where food is prepared, cooled down, transported to schools and reheated, requires us to carefully test the products to ensure they also work when reheated in the serving kitchens. The food must taste at least as good as it does now, says Tiina Soikkeli, who has taken on the role of food service manager, to Finnish national broadcaster Yle.

Municipal budget sets limits

If the new recipes work well, the municipality plans to continue revising more dishes, though there are financial constraints.

The municipality can only implement changes that do not incur additional costs. Products such as salad dressings, chicken nuggets, and meatballs will therefore retain their current versions.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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