Construction work begins on fast-moving passenger ferry Viking ADCC

On December 18, 2007, construction work began on the Viking ADCC. This extremely environmentally friendly vessel is being built at the Spanish shipyard Astilleros de Sevilla and is expected to be ready for delivery by the summer of 2009. The vessel is Viking Line’s first newbuilding for service on the short route across the Sea of Åland and has been tailored to the specific needs of this route. The newbuilding project was preceded by several years of planning and research work. Pre-construction engineering was largely based on a competition that Viking Line organized among the general public, which resulted in more than 3,800 suggestions submitted by 503 contestants.

“The task of building the Viking ADCC is now entering Phase 2,” explains Kaj Jansson, Project Manager. “So far work has consisted of such steps as pre-construction engineering, drafting work and model trials, but now we are beginning to see concrete results of what has been planned as the various sections of the hull are put together. It is clear to us that the Spanish shipyard’s technical know-how and desire to build a first-rate vessel are meeting our expectations,” Mr Jansson concludes.

Improved transport and increased accessibility year round

The Viking ADCC is being built to Ice Class 1A specifications, which will guarantee reliable transport year round. The vessel will accommodate 1,500 passengers and 320 cars. Because of its large cargo capacity, the vessel will also be able to handle future growth in the flow of goods between Åland and Sweden.

With a cruising speed of 22 knots, the Viking ADCC will shorten the passage between Kapellskär (Sweden) and Mariehamn (Åland Islands, Finland) to two hours, which will make possible a customer-friendly timetable year round.

First-rate interior design

For public spaces, Viking Line has retained Tillberg Design, a naval architecture 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 March 2008.

To satisfy a broad spectrum of customer wishes, the range of food and restaurants will be many-faceted, including a completely new type of bistro buffet, a separate à la carte café, a two-storey cafeteria and a bar for dancing and entertainment. In order to satisfy the needs of the conference market as well, the vessel will be equipped with dedicated space for day conferences.

Environmentally sound and accessible to the disabled

To minimize its environmental impact, the Viking ADCC will be equipped with catalytic cleansing systems on all engines and a solid waste sorting facility to allow both recycling and land-based destruction. All liquid wastes such as grey, black and bilge water will be pumped ashore for treatment in land-based wastewater plants. Like Viking Line’s other vessels, the Viking ADCC will be certified in compliance with ISO 14001 international standards for environmental management.

Special importance has been attached to meeting the needs of people with disabilities. There will be ample space between vehicles on the car deck, roomy stairways and lifts, as well as short distances between the entry hall, restaurants, shopping areas and car deck to make the vessel more easily accessible to the disabled.

Vessel data:

Length 133 metres
Width 21.9 metres
Engine output 20,000 kW
Cruising speed 22 knots
Ice class 1A
Weight 15,600 gross registered tonnes

Mariehamn, Åland, December 19, 2007

For further information, please contact:

Nils-Erik Eklund, Managing Director and Chief Executive
Viking Line Abp, telephone +358 18 27000