STX Finland to build LNG-fueled mega ferry

STX Finland Oy and Viking Line ABP have now firmed up an agreement announced in October covering construction of an environmentally friendly, new generation 2,800 passenger cruise ferry for Viking Line. The agreement includes an option for a sister ship.

The ship is to operate in the delicate and shallow waters of the Finnish and Swedish archipelago and is designed to be the most environmentally friendly large passenger vessel to date. Wave forming and noise generation will be minimized. As part of its emphasis on emissions reductions, it will be LNG fueled, making it also the largest LNG fueled passenger vessel contracted thus far.

The contract price is about 240 million euros. The ship will be built at Turku shipyard and will be delivered to Viking Line at the beginning of 2013. The signed agreement represents approximately 2,600 man-years employment.

The cruise ferry is about 214 m in length with a gross tonnage of 57,000. It is planned to have a capacity for 2,800 passengers and will be operated by a 200-member crew.

The vessel will have 880 passenger cabins. It will offer 1,275 lane-meters for truck carriagr and a separate car deck with approximately 500 lane-meters for passenger cars. Additional room for passenger cars will be provided by hoistable car decks.

December 22, 2010