Shipping company Viking Line on Friday (6 June) unveiled a new vessel concept, which upon realisation, would be the world’s largest electric passenger-car ferry.

The company said it is preparing to launch entirely emission-free service between Helsinki and Tallinn and that its vessel concept is proof that a green maritime corridor across the Gulf of Finland could be realised as early as the beginning of the 2030s.

The vessel concept, named Helios, developed by Viking Line will feature a battery capacity of approximately 85-100 megawatt hours (MWh) and could transport 2,000 passengers across the Gulf of Finland in just over two hours. 

The length of the concept vessel is 195 metres, the width 30 metres and the speed approximately 23 knots. The freight capacity on board is approximately 2 kilometres. Compared to the silhouette of traditional vessels, Helios mainly stands out due its lack of a funnel.

Helios is based on a research collaboration between Viking Line and Rauma shipyard as well as other partners. The concept is specifically designed for the Helsinki–Tallinn route, as the 80 kilometre, or 43 nautical mile, route is ideally suited for electric vessel traffic. The electric vessel is always charged when the ship is in port. The vessel requires a charging capacity of over 30 megawatt hours.

Viking Line’s CEO Jan Hanses, said: “Helios heralds a new era in maritime transport, just like the first sail, steam, and motor ships did in their time. The concept proves that large-scale emission-free maritime transport is no longer a utopia. 

“The world’s largest fully electric passenger-car ferries could be in operation as early as the beginning of the next decade. We are strongly committed to realizing the ambitious vision that Helios represents.”

The newly announced electric passenger-car ferry concept serves as a basis for continued planning and for the invitation to tender to shipyards. This spring, Viking Line submitted a funding application to the EU’s Innovation Fund for the construction of a ferry.

Photo credit: Viking Line
Published: 10 June, 2025

Pacific International Lines (PIL) on Friday (6 June) announced the naming ceremony of its latest 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Ocean, at the PSA Terminal in Singapore. 

The event, held in conjunction with Singapore’s 60th anniversary of nation-building, underscores PIL’s commitment to sustainability, efficiency and innovation in the maritime industry.

The vessel was named by Ms Ho Ching, Chairman of Temasek Trust, and is the sixth LNG dual-fuel vessel in PIL’s fleet. Kota Ocean is also the second in a series of four 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessels, designated as “O” Class, that PIL is building. 

Mr Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, added: “We are grateful to Ms Ho Ching for honouring our company and our crew by naming our vessel, Kota Ocean.

“This naming of Kota Ocean represents a significant milestone in our fleet renewal programme, which further enhances our network deployment and operational capabilities to better serve customers. We are delighted to hold the ceremony in Singapore to commemorate SG60, which highlights our ongoing commitment to contributing to Singapore’s maritime industry and future.

“Kota Ocean is our sixth newbuild LNG dual-fuel vessel delivered and demonstrates our dedication to sustainable shipping. PIL was the first Asian container shipping line to invest in LNG dual-fuel ships in 2022, and we have since ordered 18 new vessels, bringing us closer to our net zero emissions target by 2050, in alignment with Singapore’s net zero goal.”

Operating on PIL’s South West Africa service (SWS), the vessel’s trade route will connect the Far East, from China to Singapore to Ghana, Togo, Nigeria and Ivory Coast, strengthening trade links between Asia and Africa and supporting economic development in these regions.

Kota Ocean joins sister vessel, Kota Oasis, which was delivered in April 2025 and four 14,000 TEU LNG vessels in operation. PIL has another 12 vessels on order, including two 8,200, five 13,000 and five 9,000 TEU vessels to be delivered over the next few years.

PIL’s newbuild vessels can utilise greener bio-methane fuels and are equipped with engines fitted with the latest exhaust recycling technology which significantly reduce methane emissions. These vessels also feature full-spade type rudder with twisted leading edge, rudder bulb, pre-swirl stator as well as an optimised hydrodynamic hull form with superior anti-fouling coatings to improve fuel efficiency.

The state-of-the-art vessels incorporate digitalisation such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to increase the automation of tasks as well as operational efficiency and safety. It also enables better monitoring and planning of the vessels’ operations and routes through PIL’s Centre for Maritime Efficiency.

These newbuild vessels are part of PIL’s strategy to grow its network and renew its fleet to deliver efficient and sustainable solutions that create lasting value for customers, partners and stakeholders.

Related: Singapore-based PIL names first 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel boxship in China

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 9 June, 2025

COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Guangdong) on Wednesday (28 May) started construction of the second 7,999 dwt methanol bunkering vessel. 

This marked the second methanol bunkering vessel to be built by the shipyard since the first ship started construction on 20 March. The company did not reveal the identity of the company which ordered the vessels. 

The ship has a total length of 114.9 metres, a beam of 19 metres, a depth of 10 metres, a designed draft of 7.2 metres, and is classified by classification society ClassNK. The total volume of the cargo hold area is about 9,000 cubic metres (m3).

The cargo tank uses a special coating, which is suitable for loading diesel, gasoline, biodiesel and methanol. The cargo hold adopts a double-hull design, equipped with a nitrogen system and a high-speed ventilation system.

COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Guangdong) said the construction marks a further improvement in the company’s technology and construction capabilities in the field of small and medium-sized new energy ships.

Photo credit: COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry
Published: 9 June, 2025