VIKING XPRS - Photo: Aker Yards

New 2500 passenger ferry delivered from Helsinki shipyard
VIKING XPRS is a new concept in Baltic ferry scene says Aker Yards...

On Monday 21 April 2008 Aker Yards delivered from its Helsinki shipyard a fast passenger-car ferry called VIKING XPRS for Viking Line.

The vessel, worth EUR 130 million, gave 700 man years of work for the yard.

Described as "an environmentally friendly fast ferry" it is designed to carry passengers and cars between Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia and is intended for year-around service regardless of weather conditions.

The new ferry represents an entirely new concept in Baltic Sea ferry service, say Aker Yards, bringing together the best qualities of conventional car ferries and catamarans. The emphasis is on customer comfort, e.g. modern innovative restaurants and a high class conference centre.

The 185 m long and 27.7 m wide vessel takes 2,500 passengers, and is driven by 40 MW engines giving the vessel a speed of 25 knots.