STX Turku Shipyard launches M/S Viking Grace
A third milestone has been reached in the task of constructing Viking Line’s newbuilding, the M/S Viking Grace. The vessel was launched on August 10, 2012 at the STX Finland shipyard in Turku, the Viking Line press release said.
The M/S Viking Grace is a concrete expression of Viking Line’s belief in future passenger traffic featuring good on-board service, new on-board concepts and green values. The vessel will replace the M/S Isabella on the Turku−Åland Islands (Finland)−Stockholm (Sweden) route in January 2013.
An environmental pioneer ─ heavy interest in the new LNG vessel The Viking Grace is the first large passenger vessel in the world fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG). By using this fuel alternative, Viking Line will greatly reduce emissions: nitrogen by 85 per cent and carbon dioxide by 20 per cent. Sulphur and particulate emissions are practically zero. The LNG tanks are located outside on the rear deck.
State-of-the art vessel with first rate service
The Viking Grace embodies the ambition of Viking Line to combine state-of-the-art design with new on-board concepts that place extra focus on friendly, customercentred service. The entire vessel concept reflects fresh thinking that takes all the human senses into account. A great deal of thought has gone into lighting, sound and the different hours of the day and night. Beautiful archipelago vistas will glide past as seen from the vessel’s fantastic panoramic view windows, combined with a quiet and comfortable voyage during all the seasons of the year.
New cabin categories and four exclusive suites The new vessel features completely new cabin categories with very high standards. Seaside cabins have a view of the sea through large windows, and Inside cabins are on the other side of the same corridor. One pleasant innovation for families with children is that they will now be able to stay in a family cabin, that is, a cabin with a double bed that is combined with a four-bed cabin. The vessel also offers many cabins specially adapted for people with allergies or limited mobility.
Four exclusive suites ─ all with their own unique concepts ─ are located at the far forward end of the vessel. These cabins were conceived by the leading Finnish interior design company dSign Vertti Kivi & Co, which has also been responsible for the interior design of the vessel’s public spaces. The new concepts are the following:
FLOW − a trendy, fresh and youthful suite. Relaxed.
ORGANIC − a suite that has a calm, harmonic mood and features green elements as
well as its own sauna.
ROMANTIC − a romantic suite that is perfect for a couple celebrating an anniversary,
for example.
HI-TECH − a hyper-modern suite with clean lines, a HiFi touch and its own jacuzzi.
The ship's main characteristics:
Length: 214 + 4 m
Width: 31.8 m
Speed: 22 knots
Gross tonnage: 57,000
Route: Turku- Mariehamn/Långnäs (Åland)-Stockholm
Classification: Lloyd’s Register
Flag state: Finland
Passenger capacity: 2,800
Lane metres: Cargo 1,275 m, cars 500 m on Deck 4 plus 500 m on Deck 5
Planned delivery: January 10, 2013
The ferry will begin scheduled service on January 15, 2013. A maiden voyage, which
will also be sold to the public, is planned for January 13. Tickets for this unique allinclusive cruise will go on sale in the autumn.
