Short sea routes to go fully electric with Aurora Botnia leading the shift

Short sea voyages could soon operate entirely on electric power, with the Aurora Botnia—serving the route between Vaasa, Finland, and Umeå, Sweden—already achieving near-zero emissions through electricity and liquefied biogas, Yle reports.

The ferry reached its carbon-neutrality target ahead of schedule in August 2025, according to its captain, Anders Andersson. Under favourable conditions, the vessel now completes most of its 100-kilometre crossing using electric propulsion, relying on biogas only when necessary. While docked, it charges directly from shore-based green electricity.

Experts confirm the ship’s status as one of the world’s most environmentally friendly passenger vessels. “The figures show they’ve successfully cut emissions in an exemplary way. I doubt many others can match these results,” said Mats Björkendahl, a specialist in maritime environmental affairs at the Finnish Shipowners’ Association. Teemu Manderbacka, research team leader at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, praised its advanced design, which reduces overall energy consumption, and upgraded battery systems that significantly increase electric operation.

The shift follows the inclusion of maritime transport in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) in 2024, forcing shipping companies to adopt low-emission technologies to avoid rising costs. International shipping produces roughly one billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually—equivalent to the output of 243 coal plants—making emissions cuts critical.

Short routes, such as Vaasa–Umeå or Helsinki–Tallinn, are ideal for full electrification, Manderbacka noted, while long-distance voyages will require alternative fuels due to current battery limitations. Most global ships still run on fossil fuels, primarily heavy fuel oil, but stricter EU monitoring now tracks CO₂, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions for all vessels, with independent auditors verifying data before it enters a shared reporting system.

Owned jointly by the cities of Vaasa and Umeå, the Aurora Botnia—built in Rauma in 2021—also serves as a test platform for Wärtsilä’s engine development, carrying both passengers and cargo.