The parties intend to operate the route within the framework of a joint operation without establishing a separate company. As part of the arrangement, Viking Line will acquire a 50% ownership interest in the vessel to be deployed on the route. Operations are planned to commence during the first quarter of 2027.

Viking Line's investment in the arrangement is estimated at approximately EUR 10 million. The investment is not expected to have any material impact on the Group's financial position.

"The cooperation with TT-Line is a natural step in the development of our operations between Finland and Estonia. The arrangement strengthens our position in freight transportation while at the same time providing us with an opportunity to develop a competitive and long-term alternative on the Vuosaari–Muuga route. We see strong potential to create added value for customers together with TT-Line and to support the continued development of the transport corridor between Finland and Estonia,” says Marcus Risberg, President and CEO of Viking Line.

“VIKING XPRS will continue to play a central role in our service offering between Finland and Estonia, as it does today. At the same time, work on the Helios project continues. The project encompasses Viking Line's previously communicated plans to develop a long-term traffic and logistics concept between Helsinki and Tallinn," Marcus Risberg elaborates, and is supplemented by Bernhard Termühlen, CEO of TT-Line:

"This agreement marks an important milestone in the development of freight transportation across the Baltic Sea. By combining the strengths and experience of TT-Line and Viking Line, we can offer customers an efficient and reliable transport solution while further strengthening the transport corridor between Finland and Estonia. We look forward to a successful cooperation and to jointly developing the route's long-term potential," Bernhard Termühlen says.

The initiative between the two parties will be in direct competition with Eckerö Line, which already operates on the route with the RoPax ferry FINBO CARGO, and, like Viking Line, also operates a mini-cruise/shuttle ferry service between Helsinki and Tallinn with FINLANDIA.

© Shippax