Viking Line invests in maritime reseach in the Baltic Sea

Viking Line is continuing its efforts to help achieve a cleaner Baltic Sea. The Company is donating 100,000 euros to the University of Helsinki, which is Finland’s largest centre for research and teaching on the Baltic Sea. Long-term work to improve Baltic Sea conditions has begun to bear fruit, but a great deal of basic research is still needed, the Company said in a press release.

The University of Helsinki conducts vital research on the Baltic Sea, and Viking Line wants to support this work with a donation of 100,000 euros. This donation will help fund maritime research, including at the Tvärminne Zoological Station, which is maintained by the university. The station conducts research on topics such as biodiversity, ecosystems and the effects of human activities on the Baltic Sea.

“The condition of the Baltic Sea is gradually improving, and the long-term task of reducing nutrient emissions is starting to yield results. But there is still a great deal to be done, so it is extremely important to have funding for basic research. We are still trying to find out how various phenomena such as eutrophication, climate change, ocean acidification, introduced species and fishing affect the ecosystem. New challenges are constantly arising,” says Alf Norkko, professor of Baltic Sea research.

Viking Line carries out long-term work on environmental matters and to improve the condition of the Baltic Sea. The Company has long collaborated with the Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG) and the Finnish nonprofit Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association. Viking Line endeavours to minimize its own energy consumption and emissions. The Company’s vessels do not discharge wastewater or bilge water into the sea; instead, all water is pumped ashore in port to minimize their impact on the Baltic Sea.

“The Baltic Sea is important to Viking Line, and we want to provide passenger service in a way that is environmentally responsible. Viking Line has long invested in the environment, and we also support partners that make an important contribution to the Baltic Sea,” says Jan Hanses, President and CEO of Viking Line.

Viking Line has received a number of awards for its environmental efforts. For instance, the M/S Viking Grace was recognized for its sustainable solutions in 2014, when the vessel won Skål International’s Sustainable Tourism Award. The Company was also awarded the Port of Stockholm’s Environmental Buoy 2012 for its unique and innovative environmental solutions.