Viking Line introduces Green Sea Conference also on its Helsinki routes – a 90 per cent emissions reduction is available to all conference passengers

Every year, about 200,000 passengers take part in conferences and meetings on board Viking Line’s vessels. Starting in late spring 2025, it will be possible for all these conference trips bought in Finland to be completed with 90 per cent fewer emissions when the company’s Green Sea Conferences are expanded beyond the Turku route and made available on all routes. “This is a concrete environmental measure with a cost that will scarcely be an obstacle for anyone,” says conference customer Kalle Leinonen, who chairs the Turku Businessmen’s Association for that region’s experts and managers.

One year ago, Viking Line was the first Baltic Sea shipping company to launch its Green Sea Conference, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions from conference trips by about 90 per cent. The reduction in emissions is achieved by Viking Line buying renewable biofuel corresponding to the amount of fuel consumed by groups that opt for a Green Sea Conference and then using it on the climate-smart vessels Viking Glory and Viking Grace.

Starting in late spring 2025, Green Sea Conferences will also be available on the company’s three other vessels – Gabriella, Viking Cinderella and Viking XPRS.

“Each year we hold thousands of conferences on board our vessels, with a total of some 200,000 participants. If all our conference customers chose the Green Conference alternative, that would mean a reduction in emissions equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of about 2,000 Finns,” says Viking Line’s Head of Sales, Philip Sjöstrand.

In 2024, 1,800 passengers held meetings with low emissions on Viking Glory or Viking Grace, and interest in this new product is growing. Among those choosing the Green Sea Conference product are companies, public sector organizations and non-profit associations.

“Large companies that include sustainability in their strategy have shown the biggest interest. The green alternative is a natural choice for them. After the first year, we can note that this product is here to stay,” notes Philip Sjöstrand.

The association that represents experts and managers in the Turku region, which is part of Finnish Service Union United (PRO), has booked two Green Sea Conferences for 2025, with 150–200 participants at each conference.

“Nature and conservation of its biodiversity are important values for us, so the opportunity to carry out a trip with 90 per cent lower emissions appealed to me right away. I think that a few extra euros per person is a surprisingly small cost compared to the enormous benefit we get. The cost is scarcely a deciding factor for anyone,” says the chair of the Turku association, Kalle Leinonen.

“A Green Sea Conference is a genuine, concrete environmental measure. It is fantastic to be able to take part in this and to mention when we first send out invites that we are carrying out the trip in a way that respects the marine environment that is so important to us all. After the meeting, we get a carbon report for our trip from Viking Line, which gives credibility – and offers concrete proof that this isn’t nonsense.”

Viking Line’s conference customers appreciate to an ever-greater extent the opportunity for fellowship and strong team spirit that these trips provide.

“The vessel is an accommodating place for the conference organizer since the people who come on board can’t head off somewhere. Nor can they sit and look at their watch or mobile phone – instead, they have to focus on the conference programme. People like to meet. For the organizer,  Viking Line’s complete conference package is a simple, smoothly-functioning, competitively-priced alternative – and the fact that the conference package can now also be booked as a Green Conference with low emissions means that we are happy to choose Viking Line,” concludes Kalle Leinonen.

Green Sea Conference in brief

• The Green Sea Conference is Viking Line’s low-emissions product for conference groups. A Green Conference reduces the climate impact of the conference group’s trip by 90 per cent.
• The reduction in emissions is based on conference groups that choose the Green Sea Conference option sailing using renewable biofuel.
• If they wish, customers holding a Green Sea Conference can get a report on the carbon footprint of their trip.
• Sustainability is integral to the entire conference trip. For example, the coffee and tea served in the conference package is EU-certified and organic. 70 per cent of the ingredients for meals are locally  sourced. Instead of printed material, information on board the vessels is for the most part available digitally.
• The price of the conference is based on the price of biofuel and the length of the route. Prices are reviewed several times a year. The next time will be in early 2025.

For further information:

Philip Sjöstrand, Head of Sales, philip.sjostrand@vikingline.com, tel. +358 400 667 868

Dani Linberg, Head of Sustainabilty, dani.lindberg@vikingline.com, tel +358 18 27000

Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, johanna.boijer@vikingline.com, tel. +358 18 270 00

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