Full speed ahead for the Viking ADCC

During the spring, Viking Line completed the task of planning its newbuilding for the route between Mariehamn (Åland Islands, Finland) and Kapellskär (Sweden). All contractual documents related to construction of the ferry at the Spanish shipyard Astilleros de Sevilla were finally approved on June 19, 2007. Planning was largely based on the ideas Viking Line had solicited from the general public. In the end, more than 3,800 such suggestions were submitted by 503 participants.
 

A newly built vessel entirely adapted to the specific needs of the route

The Viking ADCC (All Seasons Day Cruising and Commuting), which is being built for service between Kapellskär and Mariehamn, will be Viking Line’s first newbuilding for this route across the Sea of Åland. This extremely environmentally friendly vessel will be delivered in 2009 and the contract amount is about EUR 60 million. The Viking ADCC will accommodate 1,500 passengers and 320 cars. The newbuilding project was preceded by several years of planning and research work. The aim is to create a vessel that is as appealing as possible to customers travelling to and from the Åland Islands.

Customer needs and wishes on this short route as well as Viking Line’s own experience from service on the route by the existing vessel m/s Ålandsfärjan (“the Åland Ferry”) have been the point of departure in this work. The Company’s invitation to the general public to submit ideas about the design of the vessel during the winter, which was aimed at eliciting a direct response from customers, yielded invaluable suggestions during the planning process. The suggestions exceeded 3,800 in number and were contained in more than 500 replies. Many of these suggestions were used in the detailed planning of the Viking ADCC.
 

Project fully under way

Pre-construction engineering is fully underway at the shipyard in Spain. The shipyard, located in the southern city of Sevilla (Seville), has extensive experience of similar types of vessels in its previous operations. For some time, the shipyard’s own specialists and consultants have been working with the project and with procurement of equipment.
 

Slim hull and rapid crossing

“The first model trial will soon take place to ensure that the hull design will be optimal, including low water resistance and good seagoing qualities. Meanwhile the vessel’s service speed and top speed will be verified,” explains Kaj Jansson, Project Manager at Viking Line. The slim, efficient hull will allow a cruising speed of 22 knots, with minimal swells and good fuel economy, while a crossing time of only two hours will allow the vessel to offer an attractive timetable all year round. The most important components with the longest delivery time − such as the main engine, auxiliary engines, propellers and gears − have already been ordered. These parts are being delivered by Wärtsilä, which has solid experience in this field. All engines will be equipped with catalytic cleansing systems to minimize their adverse environmental impact.

For public spaces, Viking Line has retained Tillberg Design, a naval architectural firm that is internationally renowned among cruise ship companies. Since the 1960s the company has planned the interior design of many Viking Line vessels, among them the currently ongoing Viking XPRS newbuilding, which will be delivered in January 2008.
 

ADCC vessel data:

Length 133 metres
Width 22 metres
Engine output 20,000 kW
Cruising speed 22 knots
Ice class 1A
Weight 5,600 gross registered tonnes
 

For further information, please contact:
Nils-Erik Eklund, Managing Director and Chief Executive
Telephone +358 18 270 00