PRESS RELEASE

M/S Viking XPRS begins service

Tomorrow, April 28, the new high-speed passenger ferry M/S Viking XPRS begins service between Helsinki (Finland) and Tallinn (Estonia). The Viking XPRS was ordered on November 29, 2005 and built by the Aker Yards shipyard in Helsinki. The size of the investment is about EUR 130 million. Unlike other vessels on its route across the Gulf of Finland, it was built in the highest ice class, I A Super, to allow safe, on-time scheduled service during all seasons. Its customer-friendly concept, developed over a period of several years, brings together the best features of first-class passenger ferries and high-speed vessels. The Viking XPRS combines comfort, on board service and reliability with a short crossing time.

Environmental aspects a top priority − the only high-speed vessel in its service area with catalytic cleansing in the main engines

The Viking XPRS is a vessel that employs the best available technology to achieve minimal environmental impact. “We are very pleased that we could take advantage of the best available technology where the vessel’s environmental impact is concerned. Our work in this field has been satisfying and highly advanced,” says Kaj Jansson, Project Manager at Viking Line.

In terms of environment, the Viking XPRS is exceptional. For example, the following measures have been undertaken:

• All the main and auxiliary engines are equipped with catalytic cleansing systems − the technology that provides the highest degree of direct purification today.

• The Viking XPRS has a closed water system. No wastewater − black, grey or bilge water − will be pumped overboard. Everything will be collected in tanks on the vessel and pumped ashore.

• All of the vessel’s fuel tanks are located in a protected position above the double bottom. This means that any damage to the bottom of the vessel will not damage the oil tanks, thus eliminating the risk of oil spills and resulting environmental damage.

• All waste fractions intended to be handled separately will be collected in their own containers, taken ashore separately and handled there according to the rules in effect. All solid waste will be compacted, collected in purpose-built containers and taken ashore separately. Food waste will be separated from other waste, crushed and collected in a separate tank, from which it will be pumped into a tanker truck and taken ashore.

• The noise level from the vessel will be low. The Viking XPRS is a quiet vessel, with engines, fans and other major noise-generating sources being specially sound-proofed to meet extra low noise threshold limits.

• No toxic paints will be used to keep the vessel’s bottom free of vegetation. Instead, divers will brush the hull clean.

A focus on the customer: the comfortable, pleasant Viking XPRS

The Viking XPRS combines the best features of traditional passenger ferries and high-speed catamarans. Comfort, friendly service and safety along with a fast schedule in all weather conditions are guiding principles. The Viking XPRS offers several exciting restaurants with different types of food and beverage menus and a modern conference department with an adjacent Business Lounge. For customers who are eager to go some shopping, there will be many new choices in the vessel’s shops. In keeping with Viking Line environmental policy, no disposable plates or cutlery will be used in the restaurants on board.

• Bistro Bella
Bistro Bella is the largest restaurant on board the Viking XPRS, seating more than 400 people. It is a whole new type of fast buffet, offering a modern selection of dishes. In the morning, a sea breakfast will be served here. The restaurant is open to the kitchen, allowing diners to watch the chefs in action. Bistro Bella has its own bar, called Kippiz, with a large selection of Scandinavian vodkas and other fine alcoholic beverages.

• Blue Deli
The Blue Deli restaurant is a breath of fresh air on board. It will serve an early harbour breakfast in Tallinn for those passengers who have stayed on board overnight. The menu will vary seasonally according to various themes, for example Mexico, the Mediterranean, Asia and Scandinavia. The menu also includes hamburgers, pizzas and salads as well as the soup of the day. For evening snacks, there will be pizzas and other hot dishes. The restaurant will operate according to the “free flow” model.

• Robert’s Coffee

An entirely new concept on Viking Line vessels, serving a variety of beverages and cocktails based on coffee from the Robert’s Coffee roasting plant.

• Red Rose Bar Café
The Red Rose Bar Café will serve savoury small dishes such as baguettes, sandwiches and snacks. Guests here may also enjoy food and beverages purchased at the Blue Deli.

• Viking’s Inn and an adjacent outdoor café
Viking’s Inn is a traditional pub with many kinds of beer. The pub will also offer small hot dishes such as special sausages, barbecued ribs, pies and pasties with potato salad or sauerkraut. Viking’s Inn also opens out onto a weather-protected outdoor café on the Baltic Sea’s largest afterdeck. It will feature both a barbecue and a beach bar and serve as a venue for various organized activities.

Ample conference capacity and Business Lounge
The new vessel has ample conference capacity. A modern conference department, with flexible spaces for gatherings both large and small will allow for pleasant, efficient daytime conferences. The facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Near the conference department is a separate Business Lounge for business travellers who prefer more privacy. The department is equipped with such amenities as wireless Internet.

Shops feature new product launches
For customers eager to go shopping, the Viking XPRS will offer good opportunities in generous-sized shops with a fresh, modern range of products. Brand goods such as bags, jewellery, accessories, beverages, perfumes and cosmetics are included in the selection.
Viking Line follows the green trend in the cosmetics field. A number of new products will be launched on the Viking XPRS. One example is Estée Lauder’s organic natural cosmetics series, Origins, which is being introduced for the first time in Finland on board the Viking XPRS. Otherwise there will be additional natural cosmetics brands on board, including products from Weleda of Switzerland. High-quality interior decoration

Interior decoration plays a key role in creating a project that meets the travel demands of people nowadays. In this field, Viking Line enlisted the help of the Finnish architect Lasse Heikkinen, who has previously designed several luxury cruisers and hotels, and the internationally renowned architect agency Tillberg Design, which Viking Line has worked with in all its newbuilding projects since the late 1960s.

Timetable:

Helsinki	Timetable			Tallinn
11.30		daily		14.00
10.30		daily		08.00
21.30		Monday-Saturaday		00.00
20.30		Monday-Saturaday		18.00
20.00		Sunday		22.30
19.00		Sunday		16.30

Technical data:

Passenger certificate: 2,500
Vehicle decks: Two separate decks (one for cars only)
Length: 185 m
Width: 27.7 m
Draught: 6.55 m
Gross tonnage: 34,000 BRT
Engine output:40,000 kW
Cruising speed: 25 knots
Finish ice class: 1 A Super

For further information, please contact:
Nils-Erik Eklund, Managing Director and Chief Executive, tel: +358 18 27 000
Kaj Jansson, Project Manager, tel: +358 18 27 000
Tuomas Nylund, Director of Corporate Communications, tel. +358 9 12 35 272
Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Public Relations Manager, tel: +358 18 27 748
Christa Blomqvist, Information Officer, tel: +358 9 12 35 242