Viking Line Cuts 50,000 Tonnes of Emissions with Biogas

Every day, two massive passenger ferries glide between Finland and Sweden powered by something most ships won't touch for another decade: biogas that once would have been trash.

Viking Line secured enough renewable biogas to power half its fuel needs through mid-2026 on its newest vessels, Viking Glory and Viking Grace. The ships carry passengers and freight daily between Turku and Stockholm, running cleaner than almost any ocean-going vessels their size.

The numbers tell a remarkable story. The company increased biofuel use tenfold in 2025 alone, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50,000 tonnes. That's the climate equivalent of taking roughly 10,000 cars off the road for a year.

"Globally, there is no lack of initiatives to create fossil-free sea lanes, but most are still in the planning stages," said Marcus Risberg, Viking Line's CEO. "Our investment in biogas and energy-efficient vessels is one of the clearest and largest-scale examples of how shipping can transition in practice."

The biogas comes from renewable European sources and burns with almost no sulphur or particle pollution, crucial for the sensitive Baltic Sea environment. Passengers and freight customers who choose the Turku-Stockholm route directly impact how much biogas the ships use, creating a feedback loop between consumer choice and environmental action.

The Ripple Effect

Viking Line isn't working alone. The company partnered with the Ports of Stockholm and Port of Turku to develop the world's first truly operational green shipping corridor. Their goal sounds ambitious but now feels achievable: completely fossil-free operations by 2035.

While competitors announce plans and conduct feasibility studies, Viking Line offers proof of concept at commercial scale. The shipping industry produces nearly 3% of global emissions, but solutions often stall at the pilot phase. These daily ferry runs demonstrate that available technology and existing infrastructure can slash emissions right now.

"For the first half of 2026, we have secured 50 per cent biogas to cover our fuel needs, and our ambition is to maintain a high level throughout the entire year," said Dani Lindberg, head of sustainability at Viking Line. The company plans to keep pushing that percentage higher as biogas availability grows.

Every voyage proves that green shipping isn't waiting for some breakthrough technology. It's happening today, carrying real people and real cargo across open water, powered by waste turned into fuel.