October the same year, the ship was chartered back to NCL. Although she remained under Birka Line ownership until 1997, the second Birka Queen never sailed for Birka Line again. In 1999 the Birka Princess was rebuilt with additional cabins and more streamlined superstructure. In January 2002 Birka Line purchased the entirety of United Shipping which was renamed Birka Cargo. In November of the same year the company placed an order for a new cruise ship with Aker Finnyards, Rauma. The ship was completed as MS Birka Paradise in 2004. The ship was delivered in a time when there was a very strong competition for cruise and ferry passengers on the northern Baltic Sea. Due to lack of passengers and because of financial problems, the Birka Princess was sold to Louis Cruise Lines in early 2006. On 8 March 2007 it was reported that the fellow Ålandian shipping company Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö was looking to purchase Birka Line in its entirety (Eckerö already owned 42% of Birka Line). On 24 May 2007 it was reported that a public offer made by Eckerö had increased their ownership in Birka Line to 57.9%. On 28 May Birka Line officially became a daughter company of Eckerö Line. Fleet Birka Cruises Birka Cargo MS Birka Carrier MS Birka Exporter MS Birka Express MS Birka Shipper MS Birka Trader MS Birka Transporter MS Baltic Excellent Former ships MS Prinsessan (1971–77) / MS Prinsen (1977–78)—scrapped 1987 MS Baronessan (1972–80)—scrapped 2003 MS Freeport (1973–74)—now MS Discovery Sun for Discovery Cruise Line MS Drottningen (1971–77)—scrapped 2005 MS Prinsessan (1978–87)—scrapped 2008 MS Birka Princess (1986–2006)—sank in 2007 as MS Sea Diamond (Louis Cruise Lines) MS Birka Queen (1992)—scrapped 2021 MS Birka Forest (2002–04)—now MS Westwood Pomona for Westwood Shipping Lines Ordered but never delivered MS Birka Queen (planned delivery 1992)—now MS Thomson Majesty for Thomson Holidays References External links Rederi Ab Eckerö Birka Cruises Official website Ålandslinjen / Birka Line / Birka Cruises at Fakta om Fartyg Birka Cargo at Fakta om Fartyg Ms Birka ex Birka Paradise Video Clips Defunct cruise lines Shipping companies of Finland Companies of Åland Transport companies established in 1971 1971 establishments in Finland