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{{Short description|Finnish shipping company}}
{{Distinguish|Royal Viking Line|Viking Cruises|Viking Airlines}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name             = Viking Line Abp
| logo             = [[File:Viking Line wordmark.svg|center|250px]]
| image            = 
| image_caption    =
| type             = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as        = {{OMX|HEX24389|VIK1V}}
| slogan           = 
| foundation       = 1959
| location         = [[Mariehamn]], [[Åland]], [[Finland]]
| key_people       = [[Jan Hanses]] <small>([[CEO]])</small><br>[[Andreas Remmer]] <small>([[Executive Vice President]])</small>
| num_employees    = 2,227 (2023) <ref name="result23">{{Cite web |url=https://www.vikingline.com/globalassets/documents/market_specific/corporate/investors/annual-reports/viking-line-annual-report-2023-en.pdf |title=Viking Line Annual report 2023, retrieved 2024-03-26 |access-date=26 March 2013 }}</ref>
| industry         = [[Shipping]]
| area_served      = [[Northern Europe]]
| products         = Ferries, port services, passenger transportation, freight transportation, holidays, business travel
| revenue          = {{decrease}} 491.4 million [[euro]]s (2023) <ref name="result23" />
| operating_income = {{increase}} 55.0 million [[euro]]s (2023) <ref name="result23" />
| net_income       = {{increase}} 36.3 million [[euro]]s (2023) <ref name="result23" />
| parent           =
| homepage         = [http://www.vikingline.com/ www.vikingline.com]
| footnotes = [[File:House flag of Viking Line.svg|150px|center]] [[House flag]] of Viking Line
}}
'''Viking Line Abp''' is a [[Finland|Finnish]] shipping company that operates a fleet of [[ferry|ferries]] and [[cruiseferry|cruiseferries]] between [[Finland]], the [[Åland|Åland Islands]], [[Sweden]] and [[Estonia]]. Viking Line shares are quoted on the [[Helsinki Stock Exchange]]. Viking Line is operated from [[Åland]]. The company currently operates five ferries, of which four travel to [[Stockholm]] and one to [[Tallinn]].<ref>[https://www.vikingline.fi/valitse-matka/laivat/ Laivat], Viking Line. Accessed on 13 April 2022.</ref>

The activities of Viking Line include route trips, cruises and cargo traffic. In 2023 Viking Line employed an average of 2138 people both on land and on sea. As well as the corporation's own staff, the ''[[MS Viking XPRS]]'' employs an average of 65 rented workers.<ref name="vuosikertomus">[https://www.vikingline.com/globalassets/documents/market_specific/corporate/investors/annual-reports/vuosikertomus-2018.pdf Viking Line vuosikertomus 2018], Viking Line. Accessed on 13 April 2022.</ref>

== Company history ==
[[File:Steam Ship Viking 1963.jpg|thumb|upright|Sun deck of the original {{SS|Viking|1924|6}}, photographed in 1963]]

=== Early years: 1959–1966 ===
Viking Line's history can be traced back to 1959, when a group of sea- and businessmen from the Åland Islands province in Finland formed Rederi Ab Vikinglinjen, purchased a steam-powered car-ferry SS ''Dinard'' from the UK, renamed her {{SS|Viking|1924|6}} and began service on the route [[Korpo]] (Finland)–[[Mariehamn]] (Åland)–[[Gräddö]] (Sweden).<ref name="40 years">[http://www.vikingline.fi./about/history/40_years.asp Viking Line: 40 Years of Ferry Service], retrieved 12. 10. 2007  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622200643/http://www.vikingline.fi./about/history/40_years.asp |date=22 June 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Proj">{{in lang|sv}} Eliasson, Thor-Alf: ''Viking Line i backspegeln''. Mariehamns Tryckeri/Viking Line 2005. No ISBN code</ref>{{rp|18–20}} In the same year the [[Gotland]]-based [[Rederi AB Slite]] began a service between [[Simpnäs]] (Sweden) and Mariehamn.<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|22–23}}

In 1962, a disagreement caused a group of people to leave Rederi Ab Vikinglinjen and form a new company, [[Rederi Ab Ålandsfärjan]], who began a service linking Gräddö and Mariehamn the following year.<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|18–20}}

Soon the three companies, all competing for passengers between Åland Islands and Sweden, realised that they in the long run all stood to lose from mutual competition. In 1965 Vikinglinjen and Slite began collaborating,<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|22–23}} and in the end of July 1966 Viking Line was established as a marketing company for all three companies.<ref name="40 years" /><ref name="Proj" />{{rp|18–20}} At this time Rederi Ab Vikinglinjen changed their name to [[Rederi Ab Solstad]], in order to avoid confusion with the marketing company.<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|18–20}} The red hull livery was adopted from Slite's [[Ålandspilen]] service<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|22–23}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/apollo_1964.htm|title=Fakta om Fartyg: M/S ''Apollo'' (1964)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526064048/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/apollo_1964.htm|archive-date=26 May 2012|language=sv|url-status=dead}}, retrieved 24 October 2007</ref> (to which it had been taken from the colour of the chairman's wife's lipstick!<ref>{{in lang|fi}} [http://www.fcbsweb.com/forum/index.php?topic=2641.msg36423#msg36423 FCBS Forum: laivojen nimien alkuperä ja merkitys], retrieved 12 October 2007</ref>). In 1967 Rederi Ab Ålandsfärjan changed its name to [[SF Line]]<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|26–27}} and in 1977 Rederi Ab Solstad was merged into its mother company [[Rederi Ab Sally]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/marsk_stig_1940.htm|title=Fakta om Fartyg: M/S ''Marsk Stig'' (1940)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526064052/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/marsk_stig_1940.htm|archive-date=26 May 2012|language=sv|url-status=dead}}, retrieved 12 October 2007</ref>

=== 1967–1985 ===
Because Viking Line was only a marketing company, each owner company retained their individual fleets and could choose on which routes to set their ships (naturally there was also co-ordination on schedules and such). Each company's ships were easy to distinguish by name: all Sally ships had a "Viking" prefix on their names, Slite took their names from Roman and Greek mythologies, while SF Line's names ended with -ella in honor of managing director Gunnar Eklund's wife Ellen Eklund.
[[File:Vikingline 1974.jpg|thumb|{{MS|Viking 5}}, built 1974 for Rederi Ab Sally, in Stockholm during her first year of service]]
During the 1970s Viking expanded greatly and overtook [[Silja Line]] as the largest shipping consortium on the Northern [[Baltic Sea]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}} Between 1970 and 1973 Slite and Sally took delivery of five nearly identical ships built at [[Meyer Werft]] Germany, namely [[MS Apollo|MS ''Apollo'']] and [[MS Diana|MS ''Diana'']] for Slite, and [[MS Viking 1|MS ''Viking 1'']], [[MS Viking 3|MS ''Viking 3'']] and [[MS Viking 4|MS ''Viking 4'']] for Sally. [[MS Viking 5|MS ''Viking 5'']], delivered in 1974, was an enlarged version of the same design.<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|40–43}} These so-called [[Papenburg]] sisters can be considered to be one of the most successful ships designs of all times{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}} (the shipyard built three additional sisters of the original design for [[Transbordadores]] for ship services in [[Mexico]]: ''Coromuel'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/coromuel_1973.htm|title=Fakta om Fartyg: M/S ''Coromuel'' (1973)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731133833/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/coromuel_1973.htm|archive-date=31 July 2012|language=sv|url-status=dead}}, retrieved 12 October 2007</ref> ''Puerto Vallarta''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/puerto_vallarta_1974.htm|title=Fakta om Fartyg: M/S ''Puerto Vallarta'' (1974)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730073124/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/puerto_vallarta_1974.htm|archive-date=30 July 2012|language=sv|url-status=dead}}, retrieved 12 October 2007</ref> and ''Azteca''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/azteca_1975.htm|title=Fakta om Fartyg: M/S ''Azteca'' (1975)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803172854/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/azteca_1975.htm|archive-date=3 August 2012|language=sv|url-status=dead}}, retrieved 12 October 2007</ref>). In 1973 Viking Line started service on the [[Turku]]–Mariehamn–[[Stockholm]] route, directly competing with Silja Line for the first time. The next year Sally began Viking Line traffic between [[Helsinki]] and Stockholm.<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|44–46}} For the next decade this route stayed in their hands, whereas on other routes the three companies operated together.

By the latter half of the 1970s, Sally was clearly the dominant partner in the consortium. In 1980 they took delivery of three new ferries ([[MS Viking Saga|MS ''Viking Saga'']], [[MS Viking Sally|MS ''Viking Sally'']] and [[MS Viking Song|MS ''Viking Song'']]), largest to have sailed under Viking's colours. This further established their dominance over the other partners, although SF Line did take delivery of the new [[MS Turella|MS ''Turella'']] and [[MS Rosella|MS ''Rosella'']] in 1979&ndash;80 and Slite [[MS Diana II|MS ''Diana II'']] in 1979.<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|53–54}} In the early 1980s Sally started expanding their operations to other waters, which became the company's failing as those operations were largely unprofitable and ultimately made Sally unable to invest on new tonnage for Viking Line service.<ref>{{in lang|fi}} [http://www.fcbsweb.com/forum/index.php?topic=7976.msg64353#msg64353 FCBS Forum: Matkustajalaivojen vaihtuminen matkustaja-autolautoiksi], retrieved 12 October 2007</ref>
[[File:Mariella Kustaanmiekka.jpg|thumb|{{MS|Mariella}}, the world's largest cruiseferry 1985–89, at Kustaanmiekka strait, Helsinki]]

=== 1985–1993 ===
In 1985 a new leaf was turned in Viking Line's history when SF Line's brand-new [[MS Mariella|MS ''Mariella'']], at the time the largest ferry in the world, replaced [[MS Viking Song|MS ''Viking Song'']] on Helsinki–Stockholm service, breaking Sally's monopoly on the route. The next year Slite took delivery of Mariella's sister [[MS Olympia|MS ''Olympia'']] and thus forced Sally out of Helsinki–Stockholm traffic completely. While SF Line and Slite were planning additional newbuilds, Sally were in an extremely poor position financially and in 1987 [[Effoa]] and [[Johnson Line (company)|Johnson Line]], the owners of [[Silja Line]], purchased Sally. As a result, SF Line and Slite forced Sally to leave the Viking Line consortium.<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|69–70}}

Between 1988 and 1990 SF Line took delivery of three new ships ([[MS Amorella|MS ''Amorella'']], [[MS Isabella|MS ''Isabella'']] and [[MS Cinderella|MS ''Cinderella'']]) while Slite took delivery of two ([[MS Athena (1989)|MS ''Athena'']] and [[MS Kalypso|MS ''Kalypso'']]).<ref name="Proj" />{{rp|73}}Unfortunately [[Wärtsilä Marine]], the shipyard building one of SF Line's newbuilds and both of Slite's, went bankrupt in 1989. SF Line avoided financial repercussions, their Cinderella had been continuously paid for as her construction progressed. Hence it was SF Line who owned the almost completed ship when the shipyard went bankrupt.<ref>{{in lang|fi}} [http://www.fcbsweb.com/forum/index.php?topic=9391.msg41854#msg41854 FCBS Forum: Sliten konkurssin syyt ja seuraukset + muuta 1980–90-l. taitteen Vikingistä], retrieved 12 October 2007</ref> Slite however had signed a more traditional type of contract, the Kalypso was to be paid for on delivery. Since the shipyard owned the unfinished ship, this led to an increased cost for the Kalypso<ref>{{in lang|fi}} [http://www.fcbsweb.com/forum/index.php?topic=10631.msg78945#msg78945 FCBS Forum: Gunnar Eklundin lähtö Vikinglinjenistä], retrieved 12 October 2007</ref>—about 200 million [[Swedish krona|SEK]] more than had been originally envisaged.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}} In the end, despite the financial problems, by 1990 Viking Line had the largest and newest cruiseferry fleet in the world.
[[File:Cinderella-kesa-2009-tukholma.jpg|thumb|MS ''Cinderella'' was the largest cruiseferry in the world when delivered in 1989. In 2003 she was renamed MS ''Viking Cinderella'' and given the white livery displayed here.]]
In 1989{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} Slite started planning [[MS Europa (1993)|MS ''Europa'']], which was to be the jewel in the company's crown, the largest and most luxurious cruiseferry in the world. Unfortunately for them Sweden entered a financial crisis during the construction of the ship, which led to devaluation of the [[Swedish krona]]. This in turn meant that the cost for the Europa increased by 400 million SEK. When time came to take delivery of the new ship, Slite did not have the funds to pay for it and their main funders (Swedish [[Nordbanken]], who were also the main funders of Silja Line) refused to loan them the money needed. Eventually the ship ended up in Silja Line's fleet and Slite was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/europa_1993.htm|title=Fakta om Fartyg: M/S ''Europa'' (1993)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904054202/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/europa_1993.htm|archive-date=4 September 2012|language=sv|url-status=dead}}, retrieved 12 October 2007</ref>

=== 1993–2010 ===
Following the bankruptcy of Rederi AB Slite, SF Line was left as the sole operator under the Viking Line brand. The remaining two Slite ships, ''[[MS Pearl Seaways|Athena]]'' and ''[[Star Pisces|Kalypso]]'' were auctioned in August 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/athena_1989.htm|title=Fakta om Fartyg: M/S ''Athena'' (1989)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730134130/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/athena_1989.htm|archive-date=30 July 2012|language=sv|url-status=dead}}, retrieved 12 October 2007</ref><ref name="Kalypso">{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/kalypso_1990.htm|title=Fakta om Fartyg: M/S ''Kalypso'' (1990)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730095705/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/kalypso_1990.htm|archive-date=30 July 2012|language=sv|url-status=dead}}, retrieved 12 October 2007</ref> SF Line made a bid for the ''Kalypso'', but both ships ended up sold to the newly established [[Malaysia]]n [[cruise ship]] operator [[Star Cruises]]. In 1995 SF Line changed their name into Viking Line.

[[File:Viking Gabriella Illustration.svg|thumb|right|Overview illustration of the ''M/S Gabriella''.]]
[[File:Viking Line Gabriella lähtee Helsingistä 210722.png|thumb|right|The ''M/S Gabriella'' leaving Helsinki towards Stockholm in July 2022.]]
Between 1994 and 1996 the company operated a fast ferry service from Helsinki to [[Tallinn]] during the summers on chartered [[catamaran]] ships.<ref>[http://www.vikingline.fi./about/history/vessels/chartered_vessels.asp Viking Line: Chartered Vessels] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103073602/http://www.vikingline.fi./about/history/vessels/chartered_vessels.asp |date=3 January 2011 }}, retrieved 12 October 2007</ref> In 1997 they purchased MS ''Silja Scandinavia'' from [[Sea-Link Shipping AB]] and renamed her {{MS|Gabriella}} for Helsinki–Stockholm service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/frans_suell_1992.htm|title=Fakta om Fartyg: M/S ''Frans Suell'' (1992)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525105827/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/frans_suell_1992.htm|archive-date=25 May 2012|language=sv|url-status=dead}}, retrieved 12 October 2007</ref> It has been reported that around the same time plans were made to construct a pair of new ships for the Helsinki–Stockholm service so that Viking could better compete with Silja on that route, but the plans were shelved.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}
[[File:Viking XPRS - Helsinki pier.jpg|thumb]]
In 2006 [[Sea Containers Ltd]]—that had become the main owner of [[Silja Line]] in 1999—placed Silja Line and their cargo-carrying subsidiary [[SeaWind Line]] for sale, except for {{GTS|Finnjet}} and {{MS|Silja Opera}} that were transferred under Sea Container's direct ownership and eventually sold.<ref>{{cite book |title=Siljan viisi vuosikymmentä |last=Malmberg |first=Thure |author2=Stampehl, Marko  |year=2007 |publisher=Frenckellin Kirjapaino Oy |location=Espoo |isbn=978-951-98405-7-4 |language=fi, en |pages=168–169, 276, 285 }}</ref> Viking Line placed a bid for their main competitor,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.fi./yritysinfo/lehdistotiedotteet/uutiset_060125_Silja.asp |title=Pörssitiedote |access-date=5 October 2008 |date=25 January 2006 |work=Viking Line press release |publisher=Viking Line |language=fi}}</ref> but were outbid by the Estonian [[Tallink]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.fi./yritysinfo/lehdistotiedotteet/uutiset_060612_Silja.asp |title=Silja Linen myynti |access-date=5 October 2008 |date=12 June 2006 |work=Viking Line press release |publisher=Viking Line |language=fi}}</ref>

The first new ship built for Viking Line since Slite's MS ''Kalypso'' in 1990, {{MS|Viking XPRS}}, had been ordered from [[Aker Finnyards]] in 2005,<ref name="FoF XPRS">{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/viking_xprs_2008.htm |title=M/S ''Viking XPRS'' (2008) |access-date=5 October 2008 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730035935/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/viking_xprs_2008.htm |archive-date=30 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in response to growing competition from Tallink on the Helsinki–Tallinn route.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} The ''Viking XPRS'' eventually entered service for Viking in April 2008.<ref name="FoF XPRS" /> A second new ship was ordered in January 2007, when Viking Line announced that they had placed an order for a {{GT|15,000}} ferry at the Spanish shipyard [[Astilleros de Sevilla]]. The project name for the ship, that would have replaced the {{MS|Rosella}} on the Mariehamn–Kapellskär route,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.se/pdf/Pressmeddelande/PrM2008-04-08.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812115354/http://www.vikingline.se/pdf/Pressmeddelande/PrM2008-04-08.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 August 2016 |title=M/S ''Rosella'' snart tillbaka i Roslagens skärgård: Viking Line ersätter M/S ''Ålandsfärjan'' med större fartyg |access-date=8 April 2008 |date=8 April 2008 |work=Viking Line press release |publisher=Viking Line |language=sv }}</ref> was ''[[Viking ADCC]]''. Her delivery was originally expected for March 2009,<ref>[http://www.vikingline.fi./about/press_releases/press_070130_adcc.asp Viking Line press release: Viking Line orders new vessel] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129064046/http://www.vikingline.fi./about/press_releases/press_070130_adcc.asp |date=29 January 2010 }}, retrieved 12 October 2007</ref> but after delivery of the ship had been delayed multiple times, on 8 February 2010 Viking Line decided to cancel the contract altogether.<ref>{{in lang|sv}}[http://www.vikingline.fi/foretagsinfo/pressmeddelanden/aktuellt_100208_skeppsbyggnadskontrakt.asp Skeppsbyggnadskontrakt uppsagt, vikingline.fi], retrieved 2 February 2010</ref>

=== 2010–present ===
[[File:Viking Line office building in Katajanokka on a sunny afternoon in May 2025.jpg|thumb|right|An office building for Viking Line located in an old cargo warehouse in [[Katajanokka]], [[Helsinki]].]]
Nils-Erik Eklund retired as Viking Line's CEO in July 2010. He was replaced by [[Mikael Backman]], who has previously worked with [[Royal Caribbean International|Royal Caribbean]]. In interviews Backman has stated he hopes to introduce features from Caribbean [[cruise ship]]s to Viking Line vessels, as well as begin selling Viking's routes to North American customers as a new cruise experience.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ts.fi/online/talous/55496.html |title=Mikael Backman tuo ruotsinlaivoille villejä ideoita Karibian risteilijöiltä |access-date=18 June 2009 |last=Enkvist |first=Liisa |date=18 April 2009 |publisher=Turun Sanomat |language=fi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717043934/http://www.ts.fi/online/talous/55496.html |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

In a seminar held in January 2010, Backman stated that Viking Line were negotiating with nine different shipyards about the possibility of constructing a pair of {{GT|60,000}} ships to replace ''Amorella'' and ''Isabella'' on the Turku–Stockholm service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ts.fi/online/talous/104032.html |title=Viking Linen laivatilaus jo pitkällä |date=19 January 2010 |publisher=Turun Sanomat |access-date=19 January 2010 |language=fi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717044315/http://www.ts.fi/online/talous/104032.html |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=au>{{cite web |url=http://www.abounderrattelser.fi/au/2161992.php |title=Viking väljer varv i sommar |publisher=Åbo Underrättelser |access-date=19 January 2010 |language=sv }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The possibility of using [[liquefied natural gas]] engines and other emission-reducing technologies were reportedly researched,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://svenska.yle.fi/nyheter/artikel.php?id=177184 |title=Viking Line överväger gas som bränsle |date=18 January 2010 |publisher=svenska.yle.fi |access-date=19 January 2010 |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cruisebusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=495:wind-and-lng-power-wartsilas-cruise-ferry-design&catid=48:top-headlines-category&Itemid=116 |title=Wind and lng power Wartsila's cruise ferry design |last=Reinikainen |first=Kari |date=22 June 2009 |publisher=Cruise Business Online |access-date=19 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708211930/http://www.cruisebusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=495:wind-and-lng-power-wartsilas-cruise-ferry-design&catid=48:top-headlines-category&Itemid=116 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> while according to Mikael Backman the ships would include various features akin to those found onboard [[cruise ship]]s such as [[Royal Caribbean International]]'s {{MS|Oasis of the Seas}}.<ref name=au /> Projected delivery dates for the vessels were May 2012 and February 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyan.ax/nyheter/?news_id=52625&news_instance=2 |last=Dahlblom |first=Patrick |title=Viking line vill ha besked före färjbeställning |date=23 April 2010 |publisher=Nya Åland |access-date=23 April 2010 |language=sv}}</ref>

In October 2010 Viking Line signed a letter of intent with STX Turku for a 57,000 GT cruiseferry for the Turku–Stockholm route.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.se/pdf/pressrum/pressmeddelanden/2010/Personalmeddelande_25_10_2010.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023215234/https://www.vikingline.se/pdf/pressrum/pressmeddelanden/2010/Personalmeddelande_25_10_2010.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2021 |title=Viking Line och varvet STX Finland Oy tecknat ett intentionsavtal |date=25 October 2010 |publisher=Viking Line |access-date=25 October 2010 }}</ref> Two months later, the formal order for the new ship was placed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.fi/download/20101222_new_ship.pdf |title=Viking Line orders new vessel |date=22 December 2010 |publisher=Viking Line |access-date=22 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908140810/http://www.vikingline.fi/download/20101222_new_ship.pdf |archive-date=8 September 2016 }}</ref> The new ship, christened ''[[Viking Grace]]'', was laid down on 6 March 2012 and launched on 10 August. The ship entered service in January 2013. Viking Line had an option for a sister ship but announced in May 2012 that they have decided not to build it.

Viking Line revealed in November 2016, that a letter of intent had been signed with Chinese shipyard Xiamen Shipbuilding for the construction of a 63,000 GT cruiseferry that would on completion replace the [[MS Amorella|Amorella]] in the Viking Line fleet. The new ship would be LNG powered and would sport [[Flettner rotors]] to reduce fuel consumption.<ref name=hbl>{{cite web|url=https://www.hbl.fi/artikel/storre-snalare-och-snallare-an-grace/|language=sv|title=Större, snålare och snällare än Grace}}</ref>

On May 27, 2019, Viking Line announced the official name of the ship, [[MS Viking Glory|M/S Viking Glory]], after a public name-giving contest.

The maiden voyage of M/S Viking Glory took place from March 1–2, 2022. She is in service on the [[Stockholm]]-[[Mariehamn]]-[[Turku]] route.

==Corporation==
The Viking Line Abp corporation includes the shipping companies Viking Rederi AB (previously known as Finlandshamnen), OÜ Viking Line Eesti, Viking Line Skandinavien AB, Viking Line Finnlandverkehr GmbH responsible for sales and marketing in [[Germany]] and Viking Line Buss Ab responsible for bus traffic. Each ship has its own command crew responsible for the activity and usage of the ship, including the ship's captain, chief of engineering and intendent. Viking Line has its own harbour terminals in Stockholm and Turku. In Helsinki, Mariehamn, Kapellskär and Tallinn the company rents the premises it needs for its activities.<ref>[http://www.vikingline.fi/yritysinfo/konsernirakenne.asp Konsernirakenne], Viking Line Abp. Accessed on 19 November 2015.</ref>

[[Jan Hanses]] has served as the CEO of Viking Line since 20 March 2014, replacing [[Mikael Backman]] who was dismissed from the corporation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140320192028/http://www.hs.fi/talous/a1395285227492 Viking Linen toimitusjohtajalle potkut], ''[[Helsingin Sanomat]]'' 20 March 2014. Accessed on 3 April 2014.</ref> [[Ben Lundqvist]] serves as chairman of the board. The head office of Viking Line is located in Mariehamn.<ref>[https://www.vikingline.fi/merella/kestava-matkailu/avainlippu-suomalaisen-tyon-puolesta/ Avainlippu - suomalaisen työn puolesta], Viking Line Abp. Accessed on 28 September 2025.</ref>

In 2018 Viking Line transported 6,411,537 passengers and 128,549 unit loads of cargo.<ref name="vuosikertomus"/>

==Trademark==
[[File:20171015 171420512 iOS.jpg|thumb|right|The yellow square logo of Viking Line is prominently displayed on the main entrance of the Turku terminal. In the background is the ''[[MS Viking Grace|Viking Grace]]'' with a similar logo on its funnel.]]

Viking Line's ships are known for their vivid red colour. The colour dates from 1964 when the colouring of the new ship ''M/S Apollo'' was taken from the ''Mexican Fire'' [[lipstick]] used by the sister of the CEO of one of Viking Line's companies.<ref>[http://yle.fi/uutiset/3-9592569 Paperille piirretyllä huulipunaviivalla oli valtava voia - samalla sävyllä väritetään nyt kaikki Viking Linen laivat], ''Yle Uutiset'' 6 May 2017. Accessed on 6 May 2017.</ref>

The name "Viking Line" is sometimes shown shortened as "NG LI", which is a registered trademark of the corporation.<ref>[http://epalvelut.prh.fi/web/tietopalvelu/haku/?appNum=T199001731&regNum=123166 Tavaramerkin tiedot, rekisterinumero 123166], Finnish Patent and Register Bureau. Accessed on 6 May 2017.</ref> Viking Line has also used a logo consisting of a yellow square standing on its corner, with a black letter V inside it.<ref>[http://epalvelut.prh.fi/web/tietopalvelu/haku//?appNum=T199001730&regNum=117015 Tavaramerkin tiedot, rekisterinumero 117015], Finnish Patent and Register Bureau. Accessed on 6 May 2017.</ref>

On the older ships of Viking Line, the announcements start with [[Rod Stewart]]'s song "Sailing".

==Ville Viking==
[[File:Viking Grace, 20221226, Club Vogue, Ville Viking, 19.jpg|thumb|left|Ville Viking is a white [[ship's cat]] in a sailor's outfit.]]
[[File:Gabriella - Viking Line - 20220616 - 44 - Ville Viking-hytt.jpg|left|thumb|Ville Viking cabin]]
'''Ville Viking''' is the [[mascot]] of Viking Line, which is used as an icon for activities for children passengers, [[marketing]] and [[merchandising]]. The white [[ship's cat]] figure appears on ships and Viking Line's marketing events at least in Finland and Sweden.<ref>[http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/vikingline-sverige/pressreleases/sportlovskul-foer-barnen-med-cirkusskola-och-ville-viking-1117503 Sportlovskul för barnen med cirkusskola och Ville Viking], My News Desk, Viking Line 13 February 2015. Accessed on 27 April 2015.</ref> The feline figure can be hugged and can appear in pictures with people.<ref>[http://www.helsinkithisweek.com/events/ville-vikingin-lasten-leikkip%C3%A4iv%C3%A4-ville-viking-childrens-play-day Ville Vikingin lasten leikkipäivä], Helsinki This Week, no date given. Accessed on 27 April 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.supermessut.fi/supermessut/sivu.tmpl?sivu_id=4660 Lapsille], Supermessut 2015. Accessed on 27 April 2015.</ref>

The name of the Viking Line children's club is Ville Viking Club. Children under 12 years of age can join the club free of charge, and members receive a mail letter twice per year. The club has its own cruises from [[Turku]] once per week and from [[Helsinki]] once per month except for the summer holiday season.<ref>[http://parkalandiahotel.com/en/suomi/merella/lapset-ja-ville-viking/ville-viking-club/ Ville Viking Club], Park Alandia Hotel. Accessed on 27 April 2015.</ref>

Alcohol-free Ville Viking drinks can be bought on Viking Line's ships. Children's menus and buffet tables on the ships are also named for the character.

In 2007 a CD of [[children's song]]s was published under the Ville Viking name.<ref>[https://kansalliskirjasto.finna.fi/Record/viola.784261 Ville Viking], CD record in the Finna database. Accessed on 27 April 2015.</ref>

== Fleet ==
=== Current fleet ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! style="background:#FF0000"|Ship
! style="background:#FF0000"|Type
! style="background:#FF0000"|Built
! style="background:#FF0000"|Entered<br />service
! style="background:#FF0000"|Gross tonnage
! style="background:#FF0000"|Passengers<br /><small>(max)</small>
! style="background:#FF0000"|Vehicles
! style="background:#FF0000"|Knots
! style="background:#FF0000"|Route
! style="background:#FF0000"|Flag and home port
! style="background:#FF0000"|Image
|-
|''[[MS Viking Cinderella]]''
|[[Cruiseferry]]
|1989
|1989–
|{{GT|46,398}}
|2.560
|480
|22 
|[[Helsinki]] – [[Mariehamn]] – [[Stockholm]]
|{{flagicon|FIN}} {{flagicon|Åland}} Mariehamn, Finland
|[[File:Viking_Cinderella_-_20240120_-_03.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|''[[MS Gabriella]]''
|Cruiseferry
|1992
|1997–
|{{GT|35,492}}
|2.420
|400
|21,5 
|Helsinki – Mariehamn – Stockholm
|{{flagicon|FIN}} {{flagicon|Åland}} Mariehamn, Finland
|[[File:Gabriella_kustaanmiekka_2016.JPG|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|''[[MS Viking XPRS]]''
|Cruiseferry
|2008
|2008–
|{{GT|35,918}}
|2.500
|240
|25 
|[[Helsinki]] – [[Tallinn]]
|{{flagicon|FIN}} {{flagicon|Åland}} Mariehamn, Finland
|[[File:Viking_XPRS_arriving_at_Tallinn_2_July_2015.JPG|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|''[[MS Viking Grace]]''
|Cruiseferry
|2013
|2013–
|{{GT|57,565}}
|2.800
|500
|22 
|[[Turku]] – [[Mariehamn]] / [[Långnäs]] – [[Stockholm]]
|{{flagicon|FIN}} {{flagicon|Åland}} Mariehamn, Finland
|[[File:Viking_Grace_in_Stockholm.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|''[[MS Viking Glory]]''
|Cruiseferry
|2021
|2022–
|{{GT|65,211}}
|2.800
|640
|22,1 
|Turku – Mariehamn / Långnäs – Stockholm
|{{flagicon|FIN}} {{flagicon|Åland}} Mariehamn, Finland
|[[File:MS_Viking_Glory_March_2022_1a.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|''[[MS Birka Gotland]]''
|[[Cruise ship|Cruiseship]]
|2004
|2024–
|{{GT|34,924}}
|1.800
|0
|21,5 
|[[Stockholm]] – [[Mariehamn]] – [[Visby]]
|{{flagicon|SWE}} Stockholm, Sweden
|[[File:Birka_Gotland,_Stockholm_-_20240320_-_06.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|}

=== Former ships ===
Ships that are still in use are marked in green.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! style="background:#FF0000"|Ship
! style="background:#FF0000"|Built
! style="background:#FF0000"|Owner/operator
! style="background:#FF0000"|In service
! style="background:#FF0000"|Current status
! style="background:#FF0000"|Image
|-
|{{SS|Viking|1924|6}}
|1924
|[[Rederi Ab Vikinglinjen]]
|1959–1970
|Scrapped in 1973.
|-
|[[MS Slite|MS ''Slite'']]<br>[[MS Tella|MS ''Tella'']]
|1955
|[[Rederi AB Slite]]
|1959–1963<br>1989 (chartered)
|Scrapped in 2006.
|-
|[[MS Boge|MS ''Boge'']]
|1956
|Rederi AB Slite
|1961–1963
|Sunk in 1981.
|-
|[[MS Linden|MS ''Linden'']]
|1951
|
|1963–1964
|Scrapped in 1974.
|-
|{{SS|Ålandsfärjan}}
|1933
|[[SF Line|Rederi Ab Ålandsfärjan]]
|1963–1972
|Scrapped in 1972.
|-
|[[MS Thor Viking|MS ''Thor Viking'']]
|1944
|
|1963–1967
|Scrapped in 1974.
|-
|{{SS|Drotten}}
|1924
|Rederi Ab Vikinglinjen	
|1964–1966
|Scrapped in 1979.
|-
|[[MS Apollo (1964)|MS ''Apollo'']]
|1964
|Rederi AB Slite
|1964–1967
|Scrapped in 2006.
|-
|[[MS Visby (1964)|MS ''Visby'']]
|1964
|Rederi AB Slite<br>Rederi Ab Ålandsfärjan
|1965, 1967–1970 (chartered)
|Scrapped in 2002.
|-
|[[MS Kapella|MS ''Kapella'']]
|1967
|Rederi Ab Ålandsfärjan
|1967–1979
|Scrapped in 2006.
|-
|[[MS Viking 2 (1940)|MS ''Viking 2'']]
|1940
|[[Rederi Ab Solstad]]
|1968–1978
|Scrapped in 2016.
|- 
|[[MV Apollo|MS ''Apollo'']]
|1970
|Rederi AB Slite
|1970–1974
|Scrapped in 2020.
|[[File:Finnboda varv 1972.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|[[MS Viking 1|MS ''Viking 1'']]
|1970
|[[Rederi Ab Sally]]
|1970–1983
|Scrapped in 2002.
|[[File:Wasa Express ship.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|[[MS Marella|MS ''Marella'']]
|1970
|[[SF Line]]
|1970–1981
|Scrapped in 2004.
|- 
|[[MS Ionian Spirit|MS ''Viking 3'']]
|1972
|Rederi Ab Sally
|1972–1976
|Scrapped at [[Aliağa]], [[Turkey]] in 2022.
|- 
|[[MS Rahal|MS ''Diana'']]
|1972
|Rederi AB Slite
|1972–1979
|Scrapped in 2021.
|[[File:MS Diana Maiden voyage 1972 001.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|[[MS Express O|MS ''Viking 4'']]
|1973
|Rederi Ab Sally
|1973–1980
|Scrapped in 2005.
|- 
|[[MS C.T.M.A. Vacancier|MS ''Aurella'']]
|1973
|SF Line
|1973–1982
|Scrapped in 2024.
|[[File:Aurella IMO 7310260 F Hamburg 06-1973 (1).jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|[[MS Viking 5|MS ''Viking 5'']]
|1974
|Rederi Ab Sally
|1974–1981
|Scrapped in 2015.
|[[File:Vikingline 1974.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|[[MV Wickersham|MS ''Viking 6'']]
|1967
|Rederi Ab Sally
|1974–1980
|Scrapped in 2001.
|[[File:Viking 6 IMO 6717148 F Emden 04-1975.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|{{SS|Apollo III}}<br>[[MS Apollo III|MS ''Apollo III'']]
|1962
|Rederi AB Slite
|1976–1981<br>1982–1989
|Sold for scrap, July 2008.
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[MS Rigel III|MS ''Turella'']]
|1979
|SF Line
|1979–1988
|Since 2018 MS ''Rigel III'' for [[Ventouris Ferries]].
|[[File:MS REGINA DELLA PACE.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- 
|[[MS Bluefort|MS ''Diana II'']]
|1979
|Rederi AB Slite
|1979–1992
|Scrapped in [[Alang]], [[India]] as ''Bluefort''.
|[[File:Diana 2 - panoramio.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|[[Celestyal Crystal|MS ''Viking Saga'']]
|1980
|Rederi Ab Sally
|1980–1986
|Scrapped in Alang, India, 2025.
|[[File:Le ferry-boat Viking Saga (Viking Saga).jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|[[MS Estonia|MS ''Viking Sally'']]
|1980
|Rederi Ab Sally <br> Rederi AB Slite
|1980–1990
|[[sinking of the MS Estonia|Sunk]] 1994 as MS ''Estonia''.
|[[File:Viking Sally 002.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[MS Regina Baltica|MS ''Viking Song'']]
|1980
|Rederi Ab Sally
|1980–1985
|Since 2010 MS ''Regina Baltica'' for [[Baleària]].
|[[File:Viking Song Helsinki 1981-2 (cropped).jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[Moby Orli|MS ''Olympia'']]
|1986
|Rederi AB Slite
|1986–1993
|Since 2023 MS ''Moby Orli'' for [[Moby Lines]].
|[[File:Matkustaja-alus Olympia lähdössä Katajanokanlaiturista - D498 - hkm.HKMS000005-km002lkb (cropped).jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[MS Pearl Seaways|MS ''Athena'']]
|1989
|Rederi AB Slite
|1989–1993
|Since 2025 MS ''Nordic Pearl'' for [[Destination Gotland]].
|[[File:MS Athena 007.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|[[Star Pisces|MS ''Kalypso'']]
|1990
|Rederi AB Slite
|1990–1994
|Scrapped in 2022.
|[[File:Star Pisces at Ocean Terminal, Hong Kong, from ferry pier 2.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[HSC Hanil Blue Narae|HSC ''Condor 10'']]<br>(marketed as ''Viking Express I'')
|1992
|Viking Line
|1995 (chartered)
|Since 2018 HSC ''Tiger'' for Tiger Shipping.
|[[File:Condor 10 Boat In Weymouth Ferry Terminal - Dorset..jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[MS Expedition|MS ''Ålandsfärjan'']]
|1972
|SF Line/Viking Line
|1987–2008
|Since 2008 MS ''Expedition'' for [[G Adventures|G.A.P. Shipping]].
|[[File:Ålandsfärjan In Mariehamn.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[MS Isabelle X|MS ''Isabella'']]
|1989
|SF Line/Viking Line
|1989–2013
|Since 2024 MS ''Isabelle X'' is sold to Notamare Shipping.
|[[File:MS Isabella saaristomerellä 2008-05-19 cropped.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[HSC Superexpress|HSC ''Express'']]<br>(marketed as ''Viking FSTR'')
|1998
|Viking Line
|2017 (chartered)
|Since 2019 HSC ''Superexpress'' for [[Golden Star Ferries]].
|[[File:Viking FSTR Suomenlinna Kustaanmiekka.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[MS Mega Regina|MS ''Mariella'']]
|1985
|SF Line/Viking Line
|1985–2021
|Since 2021 MS ''Mega Regina'' for [[Corsica Ferries - Sardinia Ferries|Corsica Ferries]].
|[[File:Mariella departing Tallinn 9 July 2018.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[MS Mega Victoria|MS ''Amorella'']]
|1988
|SF Line/Viking Line
|1988–2022
|Since 2022 MS ''Mega Victoria'' for [[Corsica Ferries - Sardinia Ferries|Corsica Ferries]].
|[[File:MS Amorella - August 2020.jpg|frameless|170x170px]]
|- style="background:#7FFF7F;"
|[[MS Anemos|MS ''Rosella'']]
|1980
|SF Line/Viking Line
|1980–2023
|Since 2023 MS ''Anemos'' for [[Aegean Sea Lines|Aegean Speed Lines]].
|[[File:Rosella leaving Mariehamn.jpg|Frameless|170x170px]]
|-
|}

Additionally a large number of ferries were chartered during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s for seasonal traffic.

=== Planned new ships ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! style="background:#FF0000"|Ship
! style="background:#FF0000"|Estimated time of completion
! style="background:#FF0000"|Estimated time of start of service
! style="background:#FF0000"|Planned route
! style="background:#FF0000"|Notes
|-
|[[MS Viking Helios|M/S ''Viking Helios'']]
|Unknown
|2030s
|Helsinki - Tallinn
|Largest electric-powered passenger car ferry in the world<ref>[https://www.vikingline.com/fi/lehdistohuone-old/71A4398708728DF7/ Viking Line konseptoi maailman suurimman sähköisen matkustaja-autolautan], Viking Line 6 June 2025. Accessed on 19 October 2025.</ref>
|-
|Sister ship of M/S ''Viking Helios''
|Unknown
|Unknown
|Helsinki - Tallinn<ref>Suojanen, Kristiina: [https://www.tekniikkatalous.fi/uutiset/a/763b594d-87de-43ba-9fb6-d6092676201d Maailman suurin täyssähköinen laiva suunnitteilla Suomeen – Nyt toimitusjohtaja kertoo T&T:lle hankkeen etenemisestä], ''[[Tekniikka & Talous]]'' 15 September 2025. Accessed on 19 October 2025.</ref>
|
|-
|}

=== Ordered but never delivered ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! style="background:#FF0000"|Planned/project name
! style="background:#FF0000"|Projected delivery
! style="background:#FF0000"|Ordered by
! style="background:#FF0000"|Gross tonnage
! style="background:#FF0000"|Notes
! style="background:#FF0000"|Current status
|-
|[[MS Silja Europa|MS ''Europa'']]
|1993
|Rederi AB Slite
|{{GT|59,912}}
|Building project was almost complete when [[Rederi AB Slite]] went bankrupt. She was then completed for [[Silja Line]] as MS ''Silja Europa'' in 1993.
|In Tallink service.
|- 
|[[MV Madeleine II|MS ''Viking ADCC'']]
|2009
|Viking Line
|{{GT|15,600}}
|Building project cancelled by Viking Line due to Seville shipyard's inability to complete the ship on time.
|Hull was transferred to another shipyard in Vigo, where it was finished and delivered to Trasmediterránea as MS ''Villa de Teror'' in July 2019,10 years after original delivery date. Since 2021 ''Madeleine II'' for [[Coopérative de Transport Maritime et Aérien|CTMA]].
|- 
|[[MS Hansa Express|MS ''Hansa Express'']]
|1962
|Rederi Ab Vikinglinjen
|{{GRT|2,268}}
|Completed for [[Finnlines]] as MS ''Hansa Express'', 1962.
|Scrapped in 2003.
|-
|}

== Terminals ==
Viking Line has six terminals, of which four are in Finland (two in mainland Finland and two in Åland), one in Sweden and one in Estonia.<ref>[https://www.vikingline.fi/valitse-matka/aikataulut-yhteydet-satamiin/satamat/ Satamat], Viking Line official site. Accessed on 4 October 2024.</ref>

[[File:Katajanokka Terminal in September.jpg|thumb|Viking Line terminal in Helsinki, Finland]]
[[File:Turku - Viking Line.jpg|thumb|Viking Line terminal in Turku, Finland]]
'''Finland'''
* Helsinki: [[Katajanokka Terminal]]. Served by [[Helsinki tram]] lines 4 and 5.
* Turku: [[Port of Turku|Linnansatama]]. Served by the Port of Turku railway station and bus line 1. 
* Mariehamn: [[Västhamnen]]. Served by the Mariehamn city bus.
* Lumparland: [[Långnäs]].

[[File:Viking Line Stockholm.jpg|thumb|right|Viking Line terminal in Stockholm, Sweden]]
'''Sweden'''
* Stockholm: [[Stadsgården]]. Served by a terminal bus line and the city ship ''Emelie''.

[[File:Passenger Terminal A in Tallinn.jpg|thumb|Viking Line terminal in Tallinn, Estonia]]

'''Estonia'''
* Tallinn: [[A-terminal]]. Served by Tallinn bus line 2 and tram lines 1 and 2.

== See also ==
*[[Finnish maritime cluster]]
*[[List of companies of Finland]]
*[[Viking]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Viking Line}}
* {{Official website|http://www.vikingline.fi/}} {{in lang|fi}}
* {{Official website|1=http://www.vikingline.fi/index.asp?lang=en}}

{{Viking Line ships}}
{{Nasdaq Helsinki}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ferry companies of Finland]]
[[Category:Companies listed on Nasdaq Helsinki]]
[[Category:Transport companies established in 1963]]
[[Category:Cruise lines]]
[[Category:Companies of Åland]]