The VIKING HELIOS vessel concept, developed by Viking Line, showcases what the world’s largest fully electric passenger-car ferry would look like. With a battery capacity of approximately 85–100 megawatt hours (MWh), VIKING HELIOS could transport 2,000 passengers across the Gulf of Finland in just over two hours. The concept vessel measures 195 metres in length, 30 metres in width, and has a speed of approximately 23 knots. Its freight capacity is around 2,000 lane metres.  

VIKING HELIOS is the result of a research collaboration between Viking Line, Rauma shipyard, and other partners. The concept is specifically designed for the Helsinki–Tallinn route, as the 80-kilometre (43-nautical-mile) route is ideally suited for electric vessel traffic. The electric vessel would be charged while in port, requiring a charging capacity of over 30 megawatt.

“VIKING HELIOS heralds a new era in maritime transport, just as the first sail, steam, and motor ships did in their time. The concept proves that large-scale emission-free maritime transport is no longer a utopia. The world’s largest fully electric passenger-car ferries could be in operation as early as the beginning of the next decade. We are strongly committed to realising the ambitious vision that Helios represents,” says Viking Line’s CEO, Jan Hanses.

“It is fantastic that both cities and their ports have committed to creating a green maritime corridor. Electric shipping is not created solely through ship investments; it also requires efficient, reliable charging infrastructure in ports. The home port for the new electric vessels would be Jätkäsaari, where the Port of Helsinki has a development and expansion programme underway until 2032. The progress of this project is extremely important for our plans,” states Jan Hanses.

Currently, most passenger and freight traffic from the Port of Helsinki is destined for Estonia. According to the Port of Helsinki’s forecasts, passenger traffic between the city’s West Harbour and Tallinn will increase from 5.5 million passengers in 2024 to 11.6 million by 2040. Cargo volumes are also expected to grow significantly.

“The Helsinki–Tallinn route performed particularly well last year, and we believe volumes will continue to increase – there is strong demand, based on need, for connections between Finland and the Baltics. EU emissions trading fees and tightening regulations place an ever-larger burden on fossil fuel-based maritime traffic each year, but emission-free technology would enable us to increase capacity on the route. Our goal is to order two electric ships for the route, which would double our current capacity year-round,” says Jan Hanses.

The newly announced electric passenger-car ferry concept serves as a foundation for continued planning and for issuing invitations to tender to shipyards. This spring, Viking Line submitted a funding application to the EU’s Innovation Fund for the construction of a ferry.

VIKING HELIOS concept ferry
• Length: Approx. 195 m
• Width: Approx. 30 m
• Power source: Electricity (100%)
• Battery capacity: 85–100 MWh (equivalent to ~1,500 EV cars)
• Charging power requirement >30 MW
• Speed: Approx. 23 knots
• Passengers: Approx. 2,000
• Private cars: Approx. 650
• Cargo capacity: Approx. 2,000 lane metres

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