The Ministry of Transport and Communications decision to grant Viking Line EUR 28 million for vessel investments improving the level of environmental protection has been approved by the European Commission.
The Ministry granted Viking Line Abp the aid in December 2010. However, because of the amount of the aid in question, the decision had to be submitted to the European Commission for separate approval.
Viking Line applied for aid for investments improving the level of environmental protection in its new passenger vessel. The vessel will use liquefied natural gas as its fuel, which will substantially reduce air pollution and energy efficiency is also a major consideration in its design. The new vessel is expected to go into service on the route between Turku and Stockholm in early 2013.
