The new ferry was named Viking Grace. Construction of the ferry began on November 28, 2011. Viking Grace will have the displacement of 58 000 tons and expected to be launched next year. Viking Grace will be the world's first large cruise ship using liquefied petroleum gas as fuel. It is worth noting that the company is confident about the success of the new project. It is evidenced by the fact that Viking Line has already announced the start of construction of the second ferry of such type.
Viking Grace is a project that interested not only the Finnish shipbuilding industry, but also the European Commission. Taking into account the environmental aspect of the new liner, the EU decided to participate in financing of its construction. Viking Line company will receive a 28-million Euro grant for the project from the European Commission.
Viking Line (do not confuse with Viking River Cruises - the world's largest operator of river cruises) is one of the largest companies in the field of sea passenger transportation in the Baltic. Viking Line mainly serves routes between the ports of Finland, Sweden and Estonia. It is expected that the two newest cruise ferries, which the company ordered from STX Finland, will replace MS Amorella and MS Isabella - two ferries, which now serve one of the most popular routes from Turku to Stockholm. MS Amorella and MS Isabella were built in 1988 and 1989, respectively.
The current general manager of the Viking Line, Michael Backman, who had long worked in one of the largest cruise companies in the world Royal Caribbean, said that he intends to use on the new ferries recreational opportunities that are now presented on RCI ships. In addition, Viking Line is also planning to start active promotion of Scandinavian ferry cruises to the USA and Canadian markets.
Ilya Kalachev
Date: 17/05/2012
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