During the same year tax free sales ended in traffic within the EU, meaning that most profits on the Vaasa—Umeå service disappeared. On December 31, 2000, Silja Line closed down traffic across kvarken completely, and Wasa Queen was laid up in Vaasa awaiting potential buyers.
The cessation of tax-free sales within the EU in the same year led to a decline in profits on the Vaasa—Umeå service. Silja Line ceased operations across the Kvarken completely on December 31, 2000, and the Wasa Queen was laid up in Vaasa pending potential buyers.