Viking Line, a leader in passenger traffic on the Baltic Sea, is expanding its groundbreaking Green Sea Conference product to its Helsinki routes, effective in late spring 2025. This environmentally sustainable initiative will allow conference groups traveling on Viking Line’s vessels to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 90%, setting a new standard for eco-friendly business travel.
Introduced in 2024, the Green Sea Conference was initially available on the company’s Turku route. Due to its success, Viking Line is now extending this offering to its Helsinki routes, including services aboard Viking Glory, Viking Grace, and Viking Cinderella. With the expansion, all conference trips from Finland will be able to take advantage of the 90% emissions reduction, benefiting organizations that aim to meet their sustainability goals without compromising on quality.
“Starting in late spring 2025, conference groups traveling on our Helsinki routes will be able to reduce their emissions by 90%, which will make a significant environmental impact,” said Philip Sjöstrand, Viking Line’s Head of Sales. “This expansion is a meaningful step in Viking Line’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. The number of conference customers annually is significant—around 200,000—and if every one of them chose the Green Sea Conference, we would see an annual reduction equivalent to about 2,000 Finns’ carbon footprints.”
A Concrete Environmental Measure
The Green Sea Conference initiative enables a low-emissions travel experience by using renewable biofuels to offset the carbon emissions generated by the groups. Viking Line purchases renewable biofuels corresponding to the fuel consumed by conference passengers and uses this fuel on climate-smart vessels like Viking Glory and Viking Grace. This fuel technology reduces emissions by approximately 90%.
Large corporations, public sector organizations, and non-profit associations have already expressed strong interest in the Green Sea Conference, as sustainability is central to their operations. “For many of our clients, sustainability is essential, and the Green Sea Conference is an ideal fit for their goals,” says Sjöstrand. “We believe this product will become a standard part of our service offering.”
Positive Response from Conference Organizers
The Green Sea Conference offering has received enthusiastic feedback. Kalle Leinonen, chair of the Turku Businessmen’s Association, emphasized the value of sustainability for his organization. “Protecting nature and biodiversity is important to us, and the opportunity to reduce emissions by 90% during our conference trips was an easy choice,” Leinonen commented. “What’s even more impressive is how little extra it costs per participant compared to the environmental impact we avoid.”
The Green Sea Conference is well-received for its environmental benefits, but also for the sustainable aspects it integrates into the overall experience. For instance, 70% of the meal ingredients are locally sourced, coffee and tea are EU-certified organic, and most conference materials are available digitally, further minimizing paper waste. Participants also receive a carbon footprint report for the trip, ensuring transparency in the company’s sustainability efforts.
The Green Sea Conference Package
The Green Sea Conference offers a low-emissions travel solution specifically designed for conference groups traveling on Viking Line vessels. This product reduces the environmental impact of the trip by 90% through the use of renewable biofuels. The package also includes meals made from locally sourced ingredients, organic coffee and tea, and digital materials to reduce paper waste.
Conference organizers can opt to receive a detailed report on the carbon footprint of their trip, providing transparency and concrete evidence of their commitment to sustainability. The cost of the Green Sea Conference package is determined based on biofuel prices and the length of the route, with a review scheduled for early 2025.
Viking Line’s Longstanding Commitment to Sustainability
Viking Line has long been at the forefront of sustainable practices in the maritime industry. In the 1980s, the company led the way by eliminating toxic paints from the bottoms of its ships. In the 1990s, Viking Line switched to low-sulfur fuels to reduce sulfur emissions. In recent years, the company has embraced new technologies like LNG propulsion on the Viking Grace and hybrid rotor sail systems for wind power.
Viking Glory, one of the fleet’s newest vessels, features energy recovery systems that convert waste heat from LNG into electricity. This innovation allows Viking Line to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while offering a more energy-efficient travel experience. Additionally, Viking Glory is equipped with an Azipod propulsion system that helps improve fuel efficiency.
In 2024, Viking Line began offering passengers on Viking Glory and Viking Grace the option to purchase biogas equivalent to the fuel used for their travel. This offers a 90% reduction in emissions, which is now included in the Green Sea Conference package as well.
A Bright Future for Green Travel
The expansion of the Green Sea Conference to all Helsinki routes in 2025 underscores Viking Line’s dedication to leading sustainability in the maritime industry. By offering an eco-friendly travel alternative for conference organizers, the company is setting a new benchmark for responsible business travel in the Baltic region.
For more information about Viking Line’s Green Sea Conference and its sustainability initiatives, visit their website.
About Viking Line
Viking Line is the leading provider of passenger traffic on the Baltic Sea, with services connecting Sweden, Åland, Finland, and Estonia. The company operates a fleet of vessels including Viking Cinderella, Viking Grace, Viking Glory, Gabriella, and Viking XPRS, serving over 5 million passengers annually. Viking Line is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its operations through innovation and sustainable practices, making it a pioneer in eco-friendly maritime transport.
Source Viking Line