Keel laying ceremony for fast-moving passenger ferry Viking ADCC

Work on Viking Line’s new fast-moving ferry Viking ADCC is proceeding as planned. Today on May 6, 2008, the keel laying ceremony took place at the Spanish shipyard Astilleros de Sevilla. The vessel, tailor-made for the specific needs of the route between Mariehamn (Åland Islands, Finland) and Kapellskär (Sweden), is being built to Ice Class 1 A specifications, with a capacity of 1,500 passengers and 320 cars. Its slim, efficient hull will allow a cruising speed of 22 knots. The voyage between Mariehamn and Kapellskär will take an estimated two hours.

Intensive work at the shipyard

At the shipyard, intensive work is under way. Kaj Jansson, Project Manager for the Viking ADCC, explains:

“Every day you can see how steel plates are being cut out and welded together into more and increasingly large sections. Today, about 12 of a total of 50 sections are already under construction. The shipyard is doing an outstanding job, and our newbuilding monitors are very pleased. To address all of Viking Line’s comments, regular weekly follow-up meetings are held with the shipyard’s quality department. The last propeller design was recently tested in the Netherlands. Architectural planning has also begun in earnest. We are holding architecture meetings with the shipyard and its interior fitting sub-contractors. The sub-contractors engaged so far have solid experience of passenger vessel interiors, and we look forward with confidence to excellent results.”

The actual keel laying ceremony works as follows: the first section is lifted on to the keel block, and the traditional “lucky coin” ceremony takes place. A number of coins are placed on the keel block under the first section that has been lifted on to the keel block. These will be removed when the vessel is launched. On a later occasion − at the mast raising ceremony (radar mast) − the coins will be placed under the foot of the mast. This is supposed to ensure the vessel’s success on its voyages across the sea.

Environmentally and disabled-friendly vessel

The Viking ADCC is a vessel that employs the best available technology to achieve minimal environmental impact. “The best available technology has been used when it comes to the vessel’s environmental impact. Our work in this field has been satisfying and highly advanced,” says Kaj Jansson, Project Manager.

The main and auxiliary engines will all be equipped with catalytic cleansing systems to minimize nitrogen oxide emissions. In addition, the vessel will run on low-sulphur fuel to also minimize sulphur emissions. All black, grey and bilge water will be pumped ashore while in port. All sortable waste, including food waste, will be gathered in separate receptacles and brought ashore. In order to keep the vessel hull free of vegetation, divers will brush the hull clean. No toxic paints will be used.

To meet the needs of the disabled, the Viking ADCC will have spacious stairwells and lifts, ample room between vehicles on the car deck and short, disabled-accessible passageways between the entry hall, restaurants, shopping areas and car deck.

First-rate interior design, exciting restaurants and fantastic views

The interior of the vessel is being designed by Tillberg Design, a naval architecture firm internationally renowned for its experience with cruise ships. The architect bureau has planned the interior design of many Viking Line vessels, for example the Cinderella and the company’s most recent newbuilding, the Viking XPRS, which went into service on April 28.

The Viking ADCC will offer a broad range of restaurants for different tastes. These will include a whole new type of bistro buffet, a charming à la carte café, a trendy two-storey café restaurant at the front of the vessel with a magnificent view of the sea, and a dance bar for dancing and entertainment. For the smallest members of the family, there will be an exciting playroom next to the café restaurant.

Conferences on board

To meet the needs of the conference market, the vessel will be equipped with flexible spaces for daytime conferences. The separate upper vehicle deck can also be utilized as a flexible combi-deck for trade fairs, exhibitions and the like. For individual travellers, there will be specially designed lounge chairs that will enable them to work comfortably. Wireless Internet service will be available in all spaces.

Naming competition

A competition to name the new vessel will be arranged among the general public in the near future. The competition will be launched on Viking Line’s websites for the Åland Islands, Sweden, Finland and Estonia. A jury consisting of representatives of Viking Line will select the winning name.

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

From right to the left:
Javier Suarez, Carlos Aguado, Manuel Romero, Luis Martin, Francisco Gallardo, Rafael Gómez and from Viking Line: Nils-Erik Eklund, Kaj Jansson, Jan Willberg, Göran Lindström, Stefan Andersson and Ulrica Strandin.

For further information, please contact:

Nils-Erik Eklund, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Viking Line Abp, tel: +358 18 270 00
Boris Ekman, Deputy Managing Director, Viking Line Abp, tel: + 358 18 270 00
Kaj Jansson, Project Manager, Viking Line Abp, tel: +358 18 270 00