VIKING FERRY RETURNS AFTER GREENING UPGRADE

Feb 16, 2023 | Shipbuilding & ship repair news

Finnish company Viking Line’s 10-year-old LNG-fuelled ‘Viking Grace’ has returned to operations between Turku and Stockholm as a better and climate-smarter version of its old self.

During a three-week docking in Odense, Denmark, new technology to reduce fuel consumption was installed and the interior refurbished. The technically most significant improvement is the installation of an Elogrids system from Elomatic, designed to increase performance in thruster tunnels and save energy, at the entrance of the tunnel thrusters to reduce any additional resistance. This will reduce the ship’s fuel consumption by 3% and carbon emissions by 3t/day. It will also increase travel comfort by reducing vibration on board the ship.

The ship’s propellers, rudder with its gear, propulsion motors and high-voltage equipment were maintained during its stay at the dock, while 5,000m2 of old carpet and textiles from the interior refurbishment were sent for recycling.

Viking Grace superintendent Sari Launonen said: “The three-week visit to the dock was a real pampering treatment since the normal biannual maintenance breaks take just two to three days. Now there was time to maintain, revamp and polish the ship inside and out as well as in the engine room. Grace deserved this break, since it has just turned 10 and has served as many as 10m customers already.

Viking Line Sustainability Manager Dani Lindberg added: “Developing the technology of our ships throughout their lifespan plays a significant role in our aim to reduce our total emissions. 10 years ago, Viking Grace was the world’s climate-smartest vessel, and now it became even smarter thanks to the new solution to reduce resistance. Regular maintenance is also environmental work. For example, a thorough clean of the bottom of the ship has a direct impact on fuel consumption.”

All the materials removed from the ship and the maintenance waste were sorted at the dock for reuse. The old carpets travelled from the dock to Holland and to embark on a new life at the carpet supplier Tarkett’s factory, and the cabin textiles and staff uniforms will be turned into recycled fibres at the Rester textile recycling plant.

Launonen said: “Many of our customers are very environmentally conscious and ask about our activities from members or our crew. We are happy to be able to give concrete examples of how extensively environmental issues are taken into consideration in our operations. And of course, our crew are proud to be inviting guests back to enjoy travelling on board the better than ever Viking Grace.”

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