The largest inland waterway depot in the Nordic countries is being sold through a newspaper advertisement

People queuing in the inland water ship in sunny weather. — Arto Vuojolainen, Business and Finance Director of Tampere, believes that in the right hands, Suomen Silveralinja can be a profitable company.

Tampere trades the Silver Line of Finland, known for its inland waterway cruises. Five ships and staff will be transferred to the buyer.

The City of Tampere is selling its shipping company through a newspaper advertisement. The city has wanted to sell Suomen Hopealinja oy, which has been in serious financial difficulties for a long time.

The entire share portfolio of the Finnish Silverline is for sale. The buyer will receive the company’s shares, ships, contracts and staff. The company has five ships.

The Silver Line routes take passengers to Pyhäjärvi, Viikinsaari, Visavuori and Hämeenlinna, among others. On Lake Näsijärvi, they cruise all the way to Virro.

Largest inland waterway depot in the Nordic countries for sale

The years ahead of the corona time have been difficult for the cruise company. In 2022, the city, which redeemed all the shares of the company, capitalized the company for EUR 2 million last year.

A newspaper clip of a sales announcement, which offers Hopeinja Oy's entire share capital for sale. — An announcement published in the city newspaper Tampereliai on 19 February states that this will be the largest inland waterway storage facility in the Nordic countries.

Now the city is progressing with a close schedule with the intention of getting a private owner for the shipping company. The city is supported by Mergera Partners, Tampere, a business acquisition company.

Vuojolainen emphasizes that sales are professional. According to him, the newspaper announcement was made because everyone knows that the company is now on sale and those who want to get involved in the process.

-We do this sales work a lot other than the newspaper announcement.

The announcement of the sales was first reported by Tampere.

The city has not been the “best possible” owner

According to Vuojolainen, the company is important to the city for tourism and leisure time. However, Vuojolainen says that the city is not the best owner for the cruise company, as the company operates in the free market and \”special\” domain.

– Public ownership may not be good in that sector.

According to Vuojolainen, the city has a lot of companies that have much greater interests than with a smaller silver line.

– Unfortunately, as the owner, we have not had enough time and expertise to develop this company.

The number of potential buyers in Vuojo will not be guessed. According to him, it depends on how broadly the buyer sees different business opportunities.

-It will be interesting to see how leisure, tourism and adventure companies see the interest in expanding such activities.

The silver lines inland waterfall passes the boat at Hattula, the Mierola harbor dock. — Silver Line ferries can be used, for example, from Tampere to Hämeenlinna via Lake Pyhäjärvi and Lake Vanajavesi.

The Vuojolainen does not comment on the price of the silver lines to sell.

– It is a negotiation issue that is clear in the discussions between the buyer and us.

According to Vuojolainen, the planning and marketing of this year’s cruise season has been and will continue normally.

– That would be the worst possible situation to start the new owner in a company where there would be nothing for next summer.