Finnish shipping company Viking Line has decided to introduce its biofuel-based sustainable initiative for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from conference trips on three vessels on its Helsinki routes.
The initiative called Green Sea Conference, which is said to reduce GHG emissions from conference trips by about 90%, was launched in early 2024.
As explained, the reduction in emissions is achieved by Viking Line buying renewable biofuel corresponding to the amount of fuel consumed by groups that opt for a Green Sea Conference and then using it on the climate-smart vessels Viking Glory and Viking Grace.
Starting in late spring 2025, the company will introduce Green Sea Conferences on its three other vessels – Gabriella, Viking Cinderella, and Viking XPRS – for all conference trips bought in Finland.
According to the company, every year about 200,000 passengers take part in conferences and meetings onboard its vessels. In 2024, 1,800 passengers held meetings with low emissions on Viking Glory or Viking Grace, signaling a growing interest in the Green Sea Conferences, Viking Line said.
“Each year we hold thousands of conferences on board our vessels, with a total of some 200,000 participants. If all our conference customers chose the Green Conference alternative, that would mean a reduction in emissions equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of about 2,000 Finns,” Viking Line’s Head of Sales, Philip Sjöstrand , stated.
“Large companies that include sustainability in their strategy have shown the biggest interest. The green alternative is a natural choice for them. After the first year, we can note that this product is here to stay.”