A significant step towards sustainable maritime transport is set to take place on the Baltic Sea, as emissions on ferry traffic between Stockholm and Turku will be slashed by 90% through the exclusive use of liquefied biogas (LBG) for one week, from August 29 to September 4. This initiative, launching on Baltic Sea Day, heralds the creation of the first green shipping corridor between Sweden and Finland.

The creation of a “green sea corridor” between Stockholm and Turku is a collaborative effort between Viking Line, operating scheduled ferry- and cruise traffic on the Baltic Sea, Ports of Stockholm and the Port of Turku. This corridor aims to achieve 100% carbon neutrality in both cargo and passenger transport by 2035, aligning with the EU's Fit for 55 program, emissions trading system, and the International Maritime Organization's strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

To kick off this effort, Viking Line will operate its vessels, Viking Glory and Viking Grace, entirely on liquefied biogas (LBG) for one week on the Stockholm-Turku route—an industry first, despite the challenges of limited availability and higher costs of renewable fuels. The switch to LBG, a cleaner alternative to liquefied natural gas (LNG), will prevent the release of 2,600 tonnes of greenhouse gases—equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of 270 Finns.

“This is an historic moment for us, the Baltic Sea and maritime transport. Scheduled service has never before been powered solely by biofuel. We have invested 450 million euros in our climate-smart vessels Viking Grace and Viking Glory, and one of their most important features is that they can run on LNG, biofuel, and future synthetic fuels produced from renewable energy. Such significant environmental measures result from our long-term work,” says Viking Line’s Sustainability Manager, Dani Lindberg.   

For the past year Viking Line has allowed passengers, conference attendees, and cargo customers to purchase biofuel to offset the fuel used for their travel, reducing emissions by 90% per passenger or cargo unit. After highlighting this option in the booking system, trips using biofuel increased by 500%. Typically, the Stockholm-Turku route uses liquefied natural gas (LNG), which has significantly lower nitrogen oxide emissions than traditional heavy fuel oil and produces virtually no sulfur or particle emissions, similar to liquefied biogas (LBG).

Annually, approximately 8 million travelers pass through Stockholm's ports, with the vast majority utilizing ferry services, particularly between Sweden and Finland. In addition to being a key ferry hub, Sweden is also a popular international cruise destination, with Stockholm leading the way as a sustainable port of call.

The Ports of Stockholm are constructing one of Europe's first shore power connections for cruise ships. By the end of this year's cruise season in a couple of months, the port will have welcomed several new vessels equipped with modern technology, including shore power connections and the capability to use alternative fuels. Shore power reduces the environmental impact of ships by allowing auxiliary engines to be turned off, thereby decreasing noise and air emissions.

The Baltic Sea holds a unique diversity of archipelagos, harbors and fishing villages from the Kvarken archipelago in the north, via the Stockholm archipelago with over 30,000 islands and the dramatic coasts along the islands of Gotland and Öland, to the open seascapes in the south with the Blekinges and Tjust archipelagos.

Read more about the Baltic Sea's many destinations and Sweden's archipelagos.

Read more about the Historic Green Corridor on the Baltic Sea and for press images to download.

For more information on Stockholm as a cruise- and ferry destination.