Each year, about 200,000 pax take part in conferences and meetings on board Finnish ferry company, Viking Line’s vessels.
Starting in late spring 2025, it will be possible for conference trips purchased in Finland to be completed with 90% fewer emissions when the company’s Green Sea Conference initiative is expanded and made available on all routes, following its initial involvement on the Turku service.
“This is a concrete environmental measure with a cost that will scarcely be an obstacle for anyone,” claimed conference customer, Kalle Leinonen, who chairs the Turku Businessmen’s Association.
A year ago, Viking Line was the first Baltic Sea shipping company to launch Green Sea Conference, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions from conference trips by about 90%.
The reduction in emissions is achieved by Viking Line buying renewable biofuel corresponding to the amount of fuel consumed by groups that opt for a Green Sea Conference and then using it on the ‘Viking Glory’ and ‘Viking Grace’.
Starting in late spring 2025, Green Sea Conferences will also be available on three other vessels – ‘Gabriella’, ‘Viking Cinderella’ and ‘Viking XPRS’.
“Each year we hold thousands of conferences on board our vessels, with a total of some 200,000 participants. If all our conference customers chose the Green Conference alternative, that would mean a reduction in emissions equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of about 2,000 Finns,” said Viking Line’s Head of Sales, Philip Sjöstrand.
In 2024, 1,800 pax held meetings with low emissions on ‘Viking Glory’ or ‘Viking Grace’, and interest in this new product is growing. Among those choosing to hold a conference on board a Viking Line ropax are companies, public sector organisations and non-profit associations.
“Large companies that include sustainability in their strategy have shown the biggest interest. The green alternative is a natural choice for them. After the first year, we can note that this product is here to stay,” Sjöstrand said.
An association that represents experts and managers in the Turku region, which is part of Finnish Service Union United (PRO), has booked two Green Sea Conferences this year, with 150–200 participants at each meeting.
“Nature and conservation of its bio-diversity are important values for us, so the opportunity to carry out a trip with 90% lower emissions appealed to me right away.
“I think that a few extra euros per person is a surprisingly small cost compared to the enormous benefit we get. The cost is scarcely a deciding factor for anyone,” Leinonen said.
“A Green Sea Conference is a genuine, concrete environmental measure. It is fantastic to be able to take part in this and to mention when we first send out invites that we are carrying out the trip in a way that respects the marine environment that is so important to us all.
“After the meeting, we get a carbon report for our trip from Viking Line, which gives credibility – and offers concrete proof that this isn’t nonsense.
“The vessel is an accommodating place for the conference organiser since the people who come on board can’t head off somewhere. Nor can they sit and look at their watch or mobile phone – instead, they have to focus on the conference programme. People like to meet.
“For the organiser, Viking Line’s complete conference package is a simple, smoothly-functioning, competitively-priced alternative – and the fact that the conference package can now also be booked as a Green Conference with low emissions means that we are happy to choose Viking Line,” Leinonen concluded.
Green Sea Conference in brief:
- This is a low-emissions product for conference groups. A Green Conference reduces the climate impact of the conference group’s trip by 90%.
- Emissions reduction is based on conference groups that choose the Green Sea Conference option sailing using renewable biofuel.
- If they wish, those organising a conference can get a report on the carbon footprint of their trip.
- Sustainability is integral to the entire conference trip. For example, the coffee and tea served in the conference package is EU-certified and organic. Some 70% of the ingredients for meals are locally sourced. Instead of printed material, information on board the vessels is for the most part available digitally.
- The conference price is based on the cost of the biofuel and the length of the trip. Prices are reviewed several times a year. The next time will be in early 2025.
