Viking Grace is modern and environmental ferry, which implements the latest technologies of shipbuilding and marine engineering. The vessel is the first LNG-fueled vessel operating in the Baltic Sea, but also the first merchant ship, which implements the wind turbosail for hybrid usage of wind power together with main diesel engine. The ferry Viking Grace was built in 2013 by STX Europe shipyard in Turku, Finland. The Ro-Ro passenger vessel has overall length of 218.20 m, moulded beam of 32.40 m and maximum draft of 6.80 m. The deadweight of the ferry is 6,107 DWT and the gross tonnage is 57,565 GRT. With such dimensions, the ship has capacity for 2,800 passengers with 1,275 m for Ro-Ro cargo and 1,000 m for cars. The ship features with 880 rooms for the guests, as well as restaurants, spa and shopping centers. The ferry is designed to provide highest comfort for the guests and remarkable cruise in Baltic Sea with 12 passenger decks, last of which is Sun deck with great view to the archipelago.
The engineering of the ship Viking Grace is modern and reliable. The vessel relies on four diesel/gas electric engines Wartsila 8L50DF, each with power of 10,100 hp. The total power of 40,500 hp is transmitted to the propulsion system with two shafts fixed-pitch propellers, so the ship may search service speed of 22.0 kts. Viking Grace is the largest passenger vessel, which is powered by LNG. This reduces the harmful CO2 and sulfur emissions, but also reducing the operational costs. Moreover, the Finnish ferry operator decided to install on board a cylinder with height of 24.00 m and a width of 4.00 m, which will rotate around its axis, creating phenomenon in which the air flow around the rotating body and creates additional power. This additionally reduces the fuel consumption by 300 tons per year. Also the shipbuilders hydrodynamically optimized the underwater hull of the vessel to minimize its fuel consumption and cause the smallest possible waves, which is particularly important when passing through an archipelago.
The ferry Viking Grace is operating under the flag of Finland with IMO number 9606900, MMSI 230629000 and call sign OJPQ. The ship is operated by Viking Lines on fixed route between Stockholm (Sweden) and Turku (Finland).
Viking Grace specification
Length: 218.20 m
Width: 32.40 m
Draft: 6.80 m
Deadweight: 6,107 DWT
Gross tonnage: 57,565 GRT
Passenger Capacity: 2,800 passengers
Engine: Wartsila 8L50DF
Engine power: 40,500 hp
Speed: 22.0 kts
Viking Grace photos
