“We are currently analysing the outcome of the funding application and looking ahead. Regarding the innovation component, we were pleased to receive high scores, but overall, it was not quite enough to reach the finish line. Unfortunately, the EU’s decision makes construction in Europe more complicated and challenging, which is very regrettable,” says Viking Line’s Communications Director Johanna Boijer-Svahnström to the media Ålands Sjöfart.

She emphasizes that the project, which is of great importance to Viking Line, will continue as planned. The project is the result of a development collaboration that includes the shipyard Rauma Marine Constructions and involves a battery capacity of 85–100 MWh as well as 30 MW charging capacity in the two ports, to allow the 43-nautical-mile route to be potentially operated emission-free.

Viking Line has previously stated that the VIKING HELIOS project, at a later stage of the process, will form the basis for a shipyard tender.

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