Viking Line significantly increased recycling in 2015

Baltic Sea cruise ferry operator Viking Line recycled 15% more solid waste and 10% more solid waste in 2015 than in 2014.

Last year, the line recycled 1,565 tonnes of solid waste – including glass, plastic, paper and metals – from its vessels and collected 1,042 tonnes of biowaste, which is used to produce biogas on land. In addition, the company collected 2,155 tonnes of used oils for recycling.

“We operate in the sensitive Baltic Sea archipelagos, so environmental issues have top priority,” said Susanna Airola, Viking Line’s environmental coordinator. “Greening is an integral part of the company’s day-to-day operations, and our environmental work today extends beyond what the regulations in force require. A big thank you to our shipboard staff, who make sure that environmental measures are implemented in practice.”

Viking Line has also invested in environmentally sustainable technology and cleaner fuel. Last year, the company installed its Ocean Marine energy recycling system on Viking Grace to convert waste heat from her engines into electricity via a vacuum process. The patented technology, developed by the Swedish firm Climeon, produces some 700,000 kWh of emission-free electricity each year.

Meanwhile, Mariella features a humid air motor to lower the combustion temperature of her engines and reduce nitrogen oxide, while Cinderella has catalytic converters. Various fuel optimisation systems have been implemented on several vessels.

The line’s cruise ferries also offer an expanded range of organic options, while water-saving mouthpieces were fitted to taps and showers, and laundry is washed with more eco-friendly detergent.