For the first time, Viking Line’s passengers and cargo customers will have the opportunity to travel completely fossil-free, as the company is significantly increasing its use of biofuel.
The company has been working in collaboration with the energy supplier, Gasum for a number of years to develop the biofuel market.
This autumn, Viking Line will increase its purchases of renewable biofuel (bio liquefied natural gas or bio-LNG) sixfold, which means purchasing European biogas equivalent to ‘Viking Glory’s’ total fuel consumption.
The biofuel will be utilised on the Turku/Stockholm route by ‘Viking Glory’ and ‘Viking Grace’.
LNG will also be used to complement the fuel.
These fuels generate virtually no sulphur or particulate matter emissions, which are harmful to human health. Using biogas also contributes to a circular economy, since the raw materials consist of waste streams from food and agricultural waste.
“By running on biogas, Viking Line contributes to emission reductions in Gasum’s pooling service for FuelEU Maritime compliance, which is used by vessels that cannot use biofuel themselves.
“Viking Line thus helps the entire maritime transport sector to reduce emissions. Starting on 1st January, 2025, vessels must reduce their emissions by 2%, but required reductions will increase all the way to 80% by 2050.
“We therefore need trailblazers like Viking Line, which can pave the way for others,” claimed Jacob Granqvist, Gasum’s Vice President Maritime.
Viking Line has collaborated with Gasum for a number of years. The shipping company used 10 tonnes of biogas in 2023 and about 600 tonnes last year. This year, biogas use will increase at least sixfold to 3,800 tonnes.
At the same time, Viking Line’s greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 17,000 tonnes, which is equivalent to the average annual carbon footprint of nearly 1,700 Finnish people.
“We have worked with others to create the market for biogas. Supply has now increased to a level that enables the use of renewable fuel to a significant extent.
“We have now been able to agree on our purchases through to October, and our goal is to continue at the same level. Moreover, the amount of bio-LNG used will increase thanks to the fossil-free maritime journeys that our customers purchase,” added Dani Lindberg,Head of Sustainability, Viking Line.
With the significant rise in the use of biofuel, Viking Line is providing fossil-free maritime transport on all routes for the first time.
For an additional fee, passengers, conference guests and cargo customers can opt to make their journey completely fossil-free, which means their trip does not produce any fossil emissions at all.
“In the 2025 survey for Finnish maritime transport, carried out by EPSI Rating, 45% of respondents indicated that they will make more sustainable choices in the future when they travel.
“These alternatives will become a reality only through long-term development work, bold investments and good collaboration. For example, the increased use of biofuel and the resulting decrease in total emissions have been made possible thanks to the company’s €450 mill investment in ‘Viking Glory’ and ‘Viking Grace’”, Lindberg said.
Viking Line has been involved in developing a green maritime corridor between Turku and Stockholm, as well as between Helsinki and Tallinn.
Green corridors are transit routes by which goods and passengers are transported in a way that is climate-neutral.
In early June, the company presented a concept for a 100% electric passenger car ferry on the Helsinki/Tallinn route, which should be placed in service as early as the 2030s.
“We want to be among the pioneers when Finnish maritime transport shows the way to a fossil-free future for the rest of the world.
“Major investments in sustainable solutions require predictability in operations and good collaboration both throughout the maritime cluster and with public sector actors,” Viking Line’s CEO, Jan Hanses said.
