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The Estonian maritime sector is gearing up to set global records. Travel carrier Viking Line is preparing to launch what would become the world’s largest fully electric passenger and vehicle ferry, connecting Helsinki and Tallinn across the Gulf of Finland, reports Postimees. The vessel, named Viking Helios, will be a big leap toward emission-free maritime transport.
The planned ferry would carry 2,000 passengers and 650 vehicles, completing the Helsinki-Tallinn journey in just over two hours. At 195 meters long and 30 meters wide, Helios would be slightly smaller but faster than Viking Grace, reaching speeds of 23 knots. The project is part of a broader green corridor initiative promoting zero-emission shipping in the Gulf of Finland.
The project is expected to be a record-breaking endeavour. Helios would require an enormous 85-100 MWh battery capacity, demanding charging infrastructure exceeding 30 MW at both ports–roughly equivalent to 200 electric cars charging simultaneously. Currently, neither Helsinki nor Tallinn possesses charging capabilities for such a vessel, but both are eager to adopt the new technologies.
Concept image of a new ship
Tallinn Port‘s infrastructure division head Peeter Nõgu confirmed that while technically feasible, supporting fully electric ferries would require “significant additional investments” from the port. Helsinki is planning to renovate its Jätkäsaari terminal specifically for electric vessels, targeting completion by 2032.
The project also carries a hefty price tag of €200-300M. Viking Line has applied to the EU Innovation Fund for financing, with a decision expected in autumn 2025, asking to support two electric ferries on the route.
Chairman Jan Hanses indicated that if funding and infrastructure requirements are met, Viking Line could begin soliciting bids from shipyards before next summer, potentially bringing the service online in the early 2030s. “It is great that both cities and their ports have committed to creating a green maritime corridor. Electric shipping is not created solely by ship investments. It also requires efficient, reliable charging infrastructure in ports,” states Hanses.
Meanwhile, Estonia’s shipbuilding industry is also taking on new challenges. Last year, Saaremaa-based Baltic Workboats (BWB) secured its largest contract to date: a €110M deal with Belgium’s state-owned DAB Vloot. Earlier this year, the company started the construction of a 45-meter semi-autonomous warship as part of one of the Euroguard projects, backed by the European Defence Fund.
