An artistic rendering of Viking Line’s planned electric-powered passenger ferry, a concept design the company has dubbed Helios. Photo: Viking Line
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Ferry operator Viking Line has announced plans to launch the world’s largest fully electric-powered passenger car ferry by the early 2030s. The vessel, named Helios, is designed to operate emission-free between Helsinki and Tallinn.
The company revealed the project on Friday, calling it a new chapter in maritime transport. According to Viking Line, Helios will mark a significant shift in Baltic Sea travel by combining large passenger capacity with zero-emission technology.
The proposed vessel will be approximately 195 metres long and 30 metres wide. It will carry up to 2,000 passengers and 650 passenger cars, with 2,000 lane-metres of space for cargo. Its battery system is expected to have a capacity of 85 to 100 megawatt-hours, enough to cross the 80-kilometre Gulf of Finland in just over two hours at a cruising speed of around 23 knots.
Unlike traditional ferries, the design will not include a smokestack. Charging infrastructure at ports will be required to supply more than 30 MWh to recharge the batteries after each crossing.
Viking Line’s CEO Jan Hanses described the ferry as a natural step in the company’s environmental strategy.
“Just like the first sail-, steam- and motor-driven ships did in their time, Helios will open up the horizon for a new era in shipping,” Hanses said in a statement. “The concept proves that large-scale emission-free shipping is no longer a utopia. We are very committed to making the ambitious vision that Helios represents a reality.”
The company has submitted a funding application to the EU Innovation Fund to support construction. The fund is one of the world’s largest financial instruments supporting the development of low-carbon technologies. Viking Line has previously received over €20 million in public funding in 2023, the most for any Finnish firm that year.
The Helios concept is part of Viking Line’s broader plan to reduce emissions. In 2013, the company introduced Viking Grace, the first ferry in the world powered by liquefied natural gas and biofuel. In 2022, Viking Glory was launched with improved fuel efficiency, reportedly using up to 10 percent less fuel than its predecessor.
Planning for the new ferry continues as the company begins discussions with shipyards and potential partners. The aim is to finalise a construction timeline based on funding and technical development.
The Helios project positions Viking Line as a leading player in maritime innovation, as environmental regulations tighten and demand for sustainable transport increases.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
