Following a research collaboration with Rauma shipyard and other partners, Viking Line has revealed the concept design for what it states will be the world’s largest electric passenger-car ferry. According to the company, its vessel concept demonstrates that a green maritime corridor across the Gulf of Finland could be realized as early as the beginning of the 2030s.
Electric ferry concept design
With a battery capacity of approximately 85–100MWh, the Helios vessel concept could transport 2,000 passengers across the Gulf of Finland in just over two hours. The electric vessel would be charged in port, and would require a charging capacity of over 30MWh.
The concept vessel is 195m long and 30m wide and has a top speed of approximately 23kts. The freight capacity on board is approximately 2,000 lane meters. Compared to the silhouette of traditional vessels, Helios is differentiated by its lack of a funnel.
The company states that the new electric passenger-car ferry concept serves as “a basis for continued planning and for the invitation to tender to shipyards”. In the spring of 2025, Viking Line submitted a funding application to the EU’s Innovation Fund for the construction of a ferry.
Jan Hanses, CEO of Viking Line, said, “Helios heralds a new era in maritime transport, just like the first sail, steam and motor ships did in their time. The concept proves that large-scale emission-free maritime transport is no longer a utopia. The world’s largest fully electric passenger-car ferries could be in operation as early as the beginning of the next decade. We are strongly committed to realizing the ambitious vision that Helios represents.”
Local traffic
Viking Line is preparing to launch entirely emission-free service between Helsinki and Tallinn, and the vessel concept has been specifically designed for the Helsinki–Tallinn route, as the 80km (43 nautical mile) route is suited for electric vessel traffic.
The Port of Helsinki has forecasted that passenger traffic between the city’s West Harbour and Tallinn will increase from 5.5 million passengers in 2024 to 11.6 million by 2040, with cargo volumes expected to grow significantly as well.
“The Helsinki–Tallinn route performed particularly well last year, and we believe volume will continue to increase – there is strong demand, based on need, for connections between Finland and the Baltics,” said Hanses.
“EU emissions trading fees and tightening regulations place an ever-larger burden on fossil fuel-based maritime traffic every year, but emission-free technology would enable us to increase capacity on the route. Our goal is to order two electric ships for the route, which would double our current capacity year-round.”
“It is great that both cities and their ports have committed to creating a green maritime corridor. Electric shipping is not created solely by ship investments. It also requires efficient, reliable charging infrastructure in ports. The home port for the new electric vessels would be Jätkäsaari, where the Port of Helsinki has a development and expansion program underway until 2032. The progress of this project is extremely important for our own plans.”
In related news, Viking Line recently switched to using only green electricity from renewable energy sources to reduce the company’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 780 tons. Read the full story here