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Tag: Viking Line | Ferry Shipping News

Oct 24
3

Tallink: Strong Q3, Challenges Reflected in First Nine Months

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

AS Tallink Grupp reported a net profit of €40.8 million for Q3 2025, driven by a strong summer season and revenue of €233.1 million. Passenger numbers rose 3% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

However, the first nine months reflect economic headwinds, vessel lay-ups, and maintenance periods. Revenue reached €577.3 million (–4.2%), while net profit dropped to €5.1 million (from €45.5 million). EBITDA was €102.5 million, down €47 million. Loan and interest payments totalled €96.2 million.

“The summer brought solid growth in passenger numbers and profitability,” said CEO Paavo Nõgene. “But full-year results still show the impact of the economic climate and geopolitical tensions.”

Maintenance work on BALTIC PRINCESS and SILJA SERENADE reduced volumes on Finland–Sweden routes, and up to four idle vessels also weighed on results. These ships have since been sold or redeployed.

Click on photo to access the Q3 report

Oct 24
3

Viking Line: Stronger Q3

By | 2025 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Viking Line Abp reported a solid third quarter for 2025, with sales of €152.5 million (€151.5 million in Q3 2024) and operating income of €28.7 million (€29.4 million). Income after taxes rose to €29.3 million, up from €24.9 million.

For January–September 2025, sales reached €368.3 million (€370.6 million), and operating income stood at €17.5 million (€25.2 million). Net profit after taxes was €12.0 million (€12.4 million). Investments totalled €15.4 million, mainly in GABRIELLA and VIKING XPRS.

President and CEO Jan Hanses said the third quarter was “stronger than last year,” noting that better late-summer weather supported travel and onboard sales. “Our expectation of improvement was met, albeit modestly,” he added.

The accumulated result was affected by dockings of GABRIELLA and VIKING XPRS, but Hanses expects a full-year result in line with 2024. He also cited challenges from higher fairway dues, ETS charges, and a strained economic climate reducing consumer spending.

Hanses highlighted continued record-high customer satisfaction and thanked staff, customers, and partners for their commitment. After nearly four decades at the company, he will step down as CEO on 3 November, handing over to Marcus Risberg, and will continue as a board member.

The Board expects pre-tax profits for 2025 to be on par with 2024, in line with earlier forecasts.

Click on Viking Line Investors for the full report

Oct 10
3

Food Waste Halved on Viking Line’s Turku Vessels

By | 2025 Newsletter week 41 | No Comments
  • Viking Line has nearly halved food waste on VIKING GLORY and VIKING GRACE through data, staff engagement and passenger awareness.
  • Waste fell from 137 g to 77 g per passenger in less than a year, far exceeding the target of 100 g.
  • The project began in autumn 2024 with support from Generation Waste, which provided monitoring technology and training.
  • Staff now use ingredients more efficiently — even root ends, tomato stalks and leftover croissants are reused in new dishes.
  • A survey of 2,000 Finns found that 58% value restaurants cutting waste and emissions, and 64% prefer locally sourced food.
  • Remaining food waste from VIKING GRACE, VIKING GLORY and VIKING XPRS is converted into biogas, a carbon-neutral fuel also used on the Turku route.
Sep 12
3

Nearly 1.8 Million Travelled with Viking Line in Summer 2025

By | 2025 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

Viking Line carried 1.78 million passengers between June and August 2025, slightly more than last year. Cargo volumes on its five vessels rose 3.6 per cent, while greenhouse gas emissions decreased thanks to higher biofuel use. For the first time, passengers could book a totally fossil-free journey.

The busiest routes were Helsinki–Tallinn with 738,000 passengers and Turku–Stockholm with a similar figure, while 304,000 travelled on the Helsinki–Stockholm service. Extra summer capacity was provided by VIKING CINDERELLA and GABRIELLA alongside VIKING XPRS.

Customer satisfaction reached a record high. Deputy CEO Peter Hellgren said the company was pleased with volumes and highlighted continued growth on the Estonian route, where Viking Line presented a new electric ferry concept earlier this year. Communications Director Johanna Boijer-Svahnström noted the rise of domestic tourism and strong demand from German and Chinese visitors.

Source: Viking Line

Aug 29
3

Viking Line To Boost Biogas Use – Fossil-Free Option On All Routes

By | 2025 Newsletter week 35 | No Comments
  • Viking Line will increase renewable biofuel purchases sixfold this autumn, equivalent to VIKING GLORY’s annual consumption.
  • Bio-LNG will be used on the Turku–Stockholm route by VIKING GLORY and VIKING GRACE, alongside LNG.
  • Fuels generate virtually no sulphur or particulate matter emissions and support the circular economy through waste-based raw materials.

Emission Impact

  • Annual biogas use rises from 600 tonnes to 3,800 tonnes.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions cut by 17,000 tonnes, equal to 1,700 Finns’ annual footprint.
  • Viking Line contributes to Gasum’s pooling service for FuelEU Maritime compliance.

Customer Choice

  • For the first time, passengers, conference guests, and cargo customers can opt for fully fossil-free journeys on all routes.
  • Demand aligns with trends: 45% of Finns surveyed plan to make more sustainable travel choices.

Future Investments

  • Viking Line invested EUR 450 million in VIKING GLORY and VIKING GRACE.
  • Developing green corridors Turku–Stockholm and Helsinki–Tallinn.
  • Plans for a 100% electric passenger car ferry on Helsinki–Tallinn by the 2030s.

CEO Jan Hanses:

  • “We want to be pioneers as Finnish maritime transport shows the way to a fossil-free future.”
Aug 22
3

Viking Line: A Challenging Half-Year with Improved Results in the Second Quarter

By | 2025 Newsletter week 34 | No Comments
  • Q2 2025 sales rose to EUR 128.4m (EUR 125.9m in 2024) with operating income of EUR 6.9m (EUR 6.2m) and pre-tax income of EUR 4.8m (EUR 1.8m).
  • For H1 2025, sales reached EUR 215.8m (EUR 219.1m), with an operating loss of EUR -11.2m (EUR -4.3m) and pre-tax loss of EUR -17.2m (EUR -12.4m). Results were impacted by the dockings of GABRIELLA and VIKING XPRS, as well as higher costs for emission allowances and fairway dues.
  • Passenger volumes declined slightly to 2.0m, with a 31.6% market share. Freight volumes improved to 71,324 units, giving a 19.5% share.
  • Investments amounted to EUR 12.4m, mainly related to GABRIELLA and VIKING XPRS.
  • The Board approved a second instalment dividend of EUR 0.50 per share, totalling EUR 8.6m, to be paid on 25 August.

President and CEO Jan Hanses said the profit trend in Q2 was stronger than the previous year, with improvements seen in all months of the quarter. He noted that demand during the high season months of July and August is forecast to be good, though the autumn outlook remains uncertain.

The Board expects full-year pre-tax profits to be on par with 2024, despite economic headwinds in Finland and Sweden, geopolitical risks, and rising environmental compliance costs.

Full details: Viking Line

Aug 08
3

Viking Line Threatens Åland Exit Over Subsidy Cut Wasaline Also Sends Warning Signals

By | 2025 Newsletter week 32 | No Comments
  • Viking Line is considering moving operations from Åland to Sweden following a proposed change to Finland’s shipping subsidy rules.
  • Finland’s Finance Minister Riikka Purra has announced that service personnel will no longer be included in manning support.
  • The move could save the state €36 million, but Viking Line’s Information Director Johanna Boijer-Svahnström called it “a cold shower” and warned of “drastic measures”.
  • The proposal is part of the 2026 budget bill and has raised serious concern within the Åland-based shipping community.
  • Wasaline CEO Peter Ståhlberg also warns of serious consequences if Finland’s Ministry of Finance proceeds with its plan to remove manning subsidies for ferry service personnel.
  • Ståhlberg predicts 90% of the Finnish-flagged merchant fleet could reflag to other countries if the cut is implemented.
  • “Finland is practically an island – we only share one land border with the EU. All other transport depends on the sea.”

Sources: yle.fi and Omni Ekonomi / Nya Åland

Jun 20
3

Viking Line Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings Again

By | 2025 Newsletter week 25 | No Comments

Viking Line ranks highest in customer satisfaction and loyalty among passenger shipping companies in EPSI Rating’s 2025 Maritime Transport survey. The company scored above industry averages on all routes, with a notable 77.6 on Finland–Sweden and 76.4 on Estonia routes. Passengers also rate Viking Line as delivering the best value for money, with a score of 80.0.

Full details here

Photo Viking Line Joonas Kortelainen

Jun 14
3

Viking Line Unveils Concept for World’s Largest Electric Passenger-Car Ferry

By | 2025 Newsletter week 24 | No Comments
  • Viking Line has introduced the concept of HELlOS, the world’s largest (according to press release) fully electric passenger-car ferry.
  • Developed in partnership with Rauma Marine Constructions, Åbo Akademi University, and KONE.
  • Will operate on the Helsinki–Tallinn route, a crossing of just over two hours.
  • Capacity: approximately 2,000 passengers and a mix of passenger vehicles and freight.
  • Powered by 85–100 MWh batteries, enabling fully emission-free operations.
  • Designed with lightweight construction, efficient hull, and advanced propulsion to optimise energy use.
  • Part of the FIN-EST Green Corridor initiative, with a targeted launch in the early 2030s.
  • If realised, HELIOS will be a global benchmark for climate-smart short sea shipping.

Viking Helios concept ferry

  • Length: Approx. 195 m
  • Width: Approx. 30 m
  • Power source: Electricity (100%)
  • Battery capacity: 85–100 MWh (charging power requirement >30MWh)
  • Speed: Approx. 23 knots
  • Passengers: Approx. 2,000
  • Private cars: Approx. 650
  • Cargo capacity: Approx. 2,000 freight metres

Source: https://news.cision.com/viking-line-abp/r/viking-line-conceptualizes-the-world-s-largest-electric-passenger-car-ferry,c4159134

Jun 14
3

Viking Line Predicts Record Summer on Estonia Route

By | 2025 Newsletter week 24 | No Comments

Viking Line expects another record summer on the Helsinki–Tallinn route, following 732,000 passengers in 2023.

  • From 18 June to 10 August, three daily departures will be offered with VIKING XPRS, GABRIELLA, and VIKING CINDERELLA. Four sailings on Fridays.
  • A new partnership with Onnibus enables bus connections to the Katajanokka terminal from 15 Finnish cities, easing access for car-free travellers.
  • Estonia remains the top summer destination for Finns, with increasing interest in budget-friendly holidays and regions beyond Tallinn.
  • Viking Line reports strong early bookings, especially for car travel. Many departures are already full.
  • International tourism is also rebounding, with more US and Japanese visitors expected this summer.
  • Source: Viking Line