Finland Ship traffic

Viking Line unveils emission-free flagship project

1 min read

Jun 11, 2025 3:57:51 PM

Concept study for the world’s largest fully electric passenger car ferry

Finnish ferry operator Viking Line has presented a groundbreaking concept for an all-electric ferry between Helsinki and Tallinn. The planned vessel, named Helios, is set to enable completely emission-free ferry operations across the busy Gulf of Finland route as early as the beginning of the 2030s.

A new era in green maritime transport

Measuring 195 meters in length and 30 meters in width, with space for approximately 2,000 passengers and 650 cars, Helios would become the world’s largest fully electric passenger car ferry. The ship will be powered entirely by electricity, supplied by a battery with a capacity of 85–100 MWh. Its charging requirement exceeds 30 megawatt hours per port stop. The concept was developed by Viking Line in collaboration with Rauma Shipyard and other partners. It is tailored specifically for the 80-kilometre route between Helsinki and Tallinn, making it an ideal application for emission-free propulsion systems on short sea crossings.

Infrastructure as the key to success

Efficient port-side charging infrastructure will be critical to powering these new vessels. In Helsinki, the expansion of the Jätkäsaari terminal is laying the foundation for this development, with completion expected by 2032. “Electric shipping needs more than just new vessels – it also requires ports to keep pace,” emphasizes Jan Hanses, CEO of Viking Line.

Planned capacity doubling on the Helsinki–Tallinn route

The Helsinki–Tallinn connection is already one of the most important ferry routes in the Baltic Sea and demand continues to grow. According to forecasts from the Port of Helsinki, passenger volumes are expected to rise from 5.5 million in 2024 to around 11.6 million by 2040. Freight volumes are also on the rise. With the Helios concept, Viking Line plans to introduce two fully electric ships. This would allow the company to double transport capacity year-round, all without generating additional emissions. A tender for shipbuilding is in preparation, and Viking Line has already applied for funding through the EU Innovation Fund.