Viking Line broke its cargo record and took important step towards fossil-free maritime transport

14. januari 2026

In 2025, Viking Line had 4.6 million passengers on its five vessels and transported a record volume of goods. The company strengthened its position on the Helsinki route, increased its use of biogas tenfold and presented a concept for the world’s first electric-powered passenger/car ferry.

In 2025, a total of 4,608,573 passengers travelled on Viking Line’s vessels. Passenger volume decreased somewhat compared to 2024, by 0.8 per cent. However, the number of passengers on Birka Gotland, which the company owns jointly with Gotlandsbolaget, increased 30 per cent to 570,513 passengers, compared to its shorter first year in service, 2024. Birka Gotland sails mostly between Stockholm and Mariehamn.

The number of passengers sailing between Helsinki and Stockholm increased 12 per cent to 808,787, with Viking Line’s market share increasing to 47 per cent. A total of 1,823,917 people sailed between Helsinki and Tallinn, while 1,944,798 people sailed between Turku and Stockholm. A total of 509,634 passenger cars were transported on the company’s  five vessels.

“Consumers in our markets have been cautious – but towards the end of the year, we saw signs of a recovery. We are immensely pleased about the increase in our share of international passengers, which was 13.5 per cent, and our customer satisfaction, which continued to improve and reached record levels during the summer season on all routes. This shows that our efforts focused on service and staff as well as successful investments in our vessels have yielded results. For example, the extensive upgrades carried out on Viking XPRS further increase the  vessel’s attractiveness on the highly competitive Helsinki–Tallinn route,” says Viking Line’s Deputy CEO, Peter Hellgren.
Viking Line increased its market share in cargo

Last year Viking Line transported a record 139,484 cargo units. That figure was nearly 4 per cent higher compared to 2024.

“In this uncertain economic environment, we are very pleased with the strong results for cargo. That is based on good long-term collaboration with our partners. Our customers rely on us, and we develop new solutions for them – now most recently by offering fossil-free transport,” says Freight Director Harri Tamminen.

Greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 60,000 tonnes

During the past year, Viking Line took significant steps to reduce emissions and promote a fossil-free future for maritime transport. The company increased its use of biogas tenfold to about 6,000 tonnes, which reduced greenhouse gas emissions from its vessels by more than 60,000 tonnes. For the first time, both passengers and cargo customers have the option to choose a carbon-neutral alternative.

In June, Viking Line presented its Helios concept for an electric-powered passenger/car ferry for planned service between Helsinki and Tallinn. If the project is realized, the world’s largest electric-powered passenger/car ferry could enable a green shipping corridor across the Gulf of Finland as soon as the early 2030s.

Passenger volume by route, 2025

• Helsinki–Tallinn: 1,823,917 passengers
• Helsinki–Mariehamn–Stockholm: 808,787 passengers
• Turku–Mariehamn–Stockholm: 1,944,798 passengers
• Other special cruises: 31,071 passengers
• Total number of passengers: 4,608,573
• Birka Gotland (jointly owned with Gotlandsbolaget): 570,513 passengers

 

For further information, please contact:

Peter Hellgren, Deputy CEO

peter.hellgren@vikingline.com, tel +358 18 270 00

Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Director of Communications

johanna.boijer@vikingline.com, tel +358 18 270 00

Christa Grönlund, Press and PR Manager

christa.gronlund@vikingline.com, tel +358 9 123 51