Hopealinjat Ends 86-Year Run to Viikinsaari Today

The Tampere-owned shipping company has operated for 86 years but will stop serving Viikinsaari and cease all Hopealinjat cruises by the end of September. No operator is lined up for next summer. The company says its vessels will be moved to Laukontori for the usual autumn maintenance and winter lay-up, and CEO Mari Vuorinen said plans could change if any ships are sold to operators on other waterways.

Captain Jari Niemi said the season had been strong: about 50,000 passengers travelled to Viikinsaari this summer, and roughly 15,000 joined other cruises to Laukko manor and Hämeenlinna. Despite growing visitor numbers, the company has run at a loss. Last year’s turnover was €3.1 million, with a roughly €200,000 deficit. Public finances show cumulative losses of just over €2 million for 2020–2025.

Hopealinjat’s fleet includes Tammerkoski, Ratina, Silver Sky and Silver Moon. The company began in 1940 as Laiva Oy Matkailu and took the Hopealinjat name in 1949.

Earlier coverage included the earlier announcement that the city-owned Suomen Hopealinja would end commercial operations after this season and the city's later pledge to guarantee ferry service to Viikinsaari next summer, Tamperelainen reported.