Birka Cruises, which is part of Rederi AB Eckero group in Finland, has decided to cease operations, the company said in a statement.
The company, which has mainly sold its cruises on the Swedish market, has concentrated on one-night trips between the Swedish capital, Stockholm, and Mariehamn on the Aland Islands, which belong to Finland.
Birka Cruises blamed the economic aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak and uncertainty regarding the development of the tourist market for its decision to cease business that it had launched in 1971. It was forced to cease sailings in March and to lay off most of its staff.
Birka Cruises has operated the 34,924 gross ton Birka Stockholm that was purpose built to the company in 2004. Unlike the cruise ferries that operate in the region, the 1,800 passenger capacity ship does not have a drive through vehicle deck. Media reports say the ship will be put up for sale.
As it was built for year round service in the Baltic, Birka Stockholm has high ice class – 1 A Super in the Finnish/Swedish system. The ship has four diesel engines that develop in total 23,400kW and they drive two propellers via gearboxes rather than use electric drive, as is the case with most deep sea passenger ships.
Eckero group’s ferry services between the Aland islands and the Swedish mainland and the Finnish and Estonian capitals are not affected.
