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10/3/06 - Production of New Concept Fast Ferry Started at Aker Yards |
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The production of Viking XPRS, a new type of fast car passenger ferry,
was started in Aker Yards, Turku on the 3rd of October by Nils-Erik
Eklund, CEO Viking Line pushing the button of the cutting machine with
Yrjö Julin, President of Aker Yards Cruise & Ferries wittnessing the
forming of the first plate for Aker Yards newbuilding No. 1358.
The contract by Aker Yards and Viking Line Abp was signed on 30
November 2005 to deliver this fast ferry in January 2008.The value of the
contract is approximately 130 million euro.
"We are pleased to have the possibility to realize together with Viking
Line this new ship concept, which was developed over a four-year
period" said Yrjö Julin, President of Aker Yards Cruise & Ferries business
area. "Aker Yards is globally known for innovative high quality products,
of which the Viking XPRS is again a good example".
The new ferry represents an entirely new concept in Baltic Sea ferry
service, bringing together the best qualities of conventional car ferries
and catamarans. The emphasis will be on customer comfort, eg. modern
innovative restaurants and a high class conference centre.
The environmentally friendly fast ferry designed to carry passengers
and cars between Helsinki and Tallinn is intended for year-around service
regardless of weather conditions. The 185 m long and 27.7. m wide
vessel will be taking 2,500 passengers, and driven by 40 MW engines giving
the vessel a speed of 25 knots.
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