By
Alex Smith |
Viking Line has developed a concept for the world’s largest electric ro-pax vessel, which would be capable of transporting 2,000 passengers across the Gulf of Finland in just over two hours.
The concept, named Helios, would have a battery capacity of approximately 85-100 megawatt hours. Helios would be 195 metres long, 30 metres wide and have a speed of approximately 23 knots, as well has having a freight capacity of two kilometres. It would be charged while the ship is in port and would have a charging capacity of over 30 megawatt hours.
“Helios heralds a new era in maritime transport, just like the first sail, steam, and motor ships did in their time,” said Jan Hanses, CEO of Viking Line. “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.”
The vessel concept is based on a research collaboration between Viking Line and Rauma shipyard, with the aid of other partners. The concept is designed for the route between Helsinki, Finland, and Tallinn, Estonia, which is expected to carry 11.6 million passengers by 2040.
“The Helsinki–Tallinn route performed particularly well last year, and we believe volume will continue to increase – there is strong demand, based on need, for connections between Finland and the Baltics,” said Hanses. “EU emissions trading fees and tightening regulations place an ever-larger burden on fossil fuel-based maritime traffic every 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.”
The concept is also intended to provide proof for the realisation of a green maritime corridor across the Gulf of Finland. The FIN-EST Green Corridor project was launched by the cities of Helsinki and Tallinn and includes the ports of Helsinki and Tallinn, Estonia’s Ministry of Climate and the companies Viking Line, Rederi AB Eckerö and Tallink Grupp as partners.
“It is great that both cities and their ports have committed to creating a green maritime corridor,” said Hanses. Electric shipping is not created solely by 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 own plans.”
The newly announced electric passenger-car ferry concept will serve as a basis for continued planning and for the invitation to tender to shipyards. Viking Line submitted a funding application in spring 2025 to the EU's Innovation Fund for the construction of a ferry.