Support association proposed to preserve more than 100-year-old steamship Tarjanne

A support association may be formed to maintain the more than 100-year-old steamship Tarjanne, which sails between Tampere and Virrat, after operator Hopealinjat winds down operations, YLE reports.

The proposed group would take responsibility for upkeep and repairs but would not run Tarjanne’s passenger services. The vessel’s owner, Runoilijan tie Oy, has the final say and wants to keep the ship afloat because Tarjanne is the world’s oldest passenger steamship still operating on its original route. Runoilijan tie’s chairman Riku Kemppinen said the association is one option. It could apply for EU funding, which might be easier than securing support through a municipally owned limited company.

Kemppinen said decisions must be made in the coming months so next summer’s schedule can be planned and marketed. He added the ship’s future also depends on what ultimately happens to Hopealinjat.

The suggestion follows Tampere’s decision to wind down city-owned ferry operator Hopealinjat this year, a move that left local summer services and the future of heritage vessels uncertain the city's closure decision.