Viking Line is charting a bold new course in green maritime travel with plans to launch a fully electric passenger-car ferry service between Helsinki and Tallinn by the early 2030s. The proposed vessel, named Helios, would be the world’s largest fully electric ferry, showcasing the company’s commitment to zero-emission sea travel.
Unveiled this week, the Helios concept represents a groundbreaking leap in maritime engineering. With a battery capacity of approximately 85–100 megawatt hours (MWh), the ferry is designed to carry up to 2,000 passengers and significant cargo across the Gulf of Finland in just over two hours. The 195-meter-long, 30-meter-wide vessel would cruise at a speed of 23 knots and feature 2 kilometers of freight capacity—all without the traditional smokestack, marking a visual shift toward modern, eco-friendly design.
Viking Line developed the concept in collaboration with Rauma Marine Constructions and other key industry partners. Specifically tailored for the 80-kilometre (43-nautical-mile) Helsinki–Tallinn route, Helios will recharge in port using a high-capacity system that delivers more than 30 MWh of power.
“Helios signals a new era in maritime transport, just like the first sailboats, steamships, and motor vessels once did,” said Viking Line CEO Jan Hanses. “This concept shows that emission-free large-scale sea travel is no longer a fantasy. We’re fully committed to making this vision a reality by the next decade.”
Viking Line has long been a pioneer in sustainable shipping. In 2013, the company launched Viking Grace, the world’s first passenger vessel to run on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biogas. That commitment continued in 2022 with the introduction of Viking Glory, an even more climate-smart vessel. Today, Viking Line allows passengers to reduce their carbon footprint by opting for biofuel, which can cut emissions by up to 90 percent. The company also offers biofuel contracts to freight customers.
The push for greener seas is part of the broader FIN-EST Green Corridor initiative, a cross-border project spearheaded by the cities of Helsinki and Tallinn. Key partners include the ports of both cities, Estonia’s Ministry of Climate, and shipping operators such as Viking Line, Rederi AB Eckerö, and Tallink Grupp.
“It’s encouraging to see both cities and their ports fully committed to establishing a green maritime corridor,” Hanses added. “But vessel innovation alone won’t achieve this. We also need robust and efficient charging infrastructure. That’s why the ongoing development of Jätkäsaari—the planned home port for our electric vessels—is critical to our timeline.”
Currently, the majority of passenger and freight traffic at the Port of Helsinki heads to Estonia. The port estimates that passenger traffic between Helsinki’s West Harbour and Tallinn will more than double from 5.5 million in 2024 to 11.6 million by 2040. Cargo volume is also projected to grow substantially.
“The Helsinki–Tallinn route saw excellent performance last year, and all signs point to continued growth,” said Hanses. “Fossil fuel-based shipping is becoming increasingly expensive due to EU emissions trading and tighter environmental regulations. With electric vessels, we’ll be able to scale capacity sustainably. Our ambition is to commission two electric ferries, effectively doubling our year-round capacity.”
The Helios concept will serve as a framework for further planning and competitive bidding among shipyards. Viking Line has already submitted a funding application to the EU’s Innovation Fund to support the ferry’s construction.
If successful, Helios could soon transform the busy Baltic Sea route into a global model for zero-emission maritime transport.
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