A New Era for Maritime Sustainability
The maritime sector is entering a decisive phase as European regulations such as FuelEU Maritime come into force. These policies are pushing shipowners to adopt alternative fuels, invest in greener operations, and rethink collaboration models. Against this backdrop, Viking Line and Gasum are showing how partnerships can be the catalyst for both compliance and innovation.
Their latest step involves operating Viking Line’s two RoRo ships, Viking Glory and Viking Grace, on bio-LNG. This shift is not only about meeting regulations but about setting a new precedent for practical and scalable solutions in maritime sustainability.
The Strategic Importance of Bio-LNG
Bio-LNG, or liquefied biomethane, has emerged as one of the most viable fuels for maritime operations. Unlike many experimental fuels, it already benefits from established infrastructure, proven performance, and compatibility with existing LNG vessels.
By switching half of their fuel consumption on the Turku to Stockholm route to bio-LNG, Viking Line is cutting emissions while also generating compliance units for the FuelEU Maritime pooling service. This regular and predictable route adds value to the compliance pool by offering measurable and consistent volumes of low-emission fuel use.
For a sector often criticized for uncertainty in fuel supply and scalability, this move highlights how bio-LNG can deliver both reliability and real-world impact.
Pooling as a Pathway to Scale
Gasum’s management of the FuelEU Maritime pooling service is a key part of this development. Pooling allows shipowners that are unable to switch fuels immediately to still participate in sustainability efforts by purchasing over-compliance generated by others.
The process is transparent and data-driven. Gasum supplies the bio-LNG, validates fuel use with DNV technology, and ensures accuracy through year-end verification. This mechanism creates trust while allowing smaller or conventionally fueled operators to transition more smoothly.
Pooling not only balances compliance obligations but also builds resilience in the regulatory system. Instead of leaving companies behind, it offers a bridge for gradual participation in decarbonization.
Viking Line’s Expanding Role
Viking Line’s decision to operate on bio-LNG at scale underscores its position as a forward-looking operator in the Baltic region. According to its CEO, Jan Hanses, the switch to 50 percent bio-LNG marks a significant cut in emissions along one of Northern Europe’s busiest passenger and freight corridors.
This is not only an operational change but also a signal to the wider maritime community. By making environmental responsibility visible on a high-traffic route, Viking Line is proving that the path to sustainable shipping does not need to be experimental or uncertain.
Gasum’s Long-Term Commitment
Gasum’s contribution to this collaboration extends beyond supplying bio-LNG. The company has taken a strategic view of the sector’s needs, positioning itself as both a fuel provider and a compliance enabler.
Gasum’s Vice President for Maritime, Jacob Granqvist, explained that demand for pooling has grown beyond the capacity of Gasum’s own bunkering vessels. This makes collaboration with shipowners such as Viking Line essential for scaling the service. It also reflects the growing recognition that maritime decarbonization is a shared responsibility rather than an isolated effort.
The company’s actions reinforce this vision. In August 2025, Gasum transitioned its own bunkering vessel Coralius to operate entirely on bio-LNG. This vessel has already performed over 1,000 bunkering operations and delivered more than 270,000 metric tons of LNG in its service life. These milestones demonstrate a practical track record that strengthens confidence in LNG and bio-LNG as near-term solutions.
Building Infrastructure for the Future
Gasum’s commitment does not stop at current operations. Plans are already in motion to expand bio-LNG infrastructure with the addition of a new bunker vessel, Celsius, by 2027. With larger cargo capacity, improved tank insulation, and better fuel efficiency, Celsius is expected to enhance the availability of bio-LNG across more shipping routes.
Infrastructure investment is one of the main barriers to alternative fuel adoption. By addressing it head-on, Gasum is positioning bio-LNG as a long-term player in the maritime fuel mix rather than a transitional stopgap.
Why Collaboration Matters More Than Ever
The Viking Line and Gasum partnership is more than a compliance strategy. It is a blueprint for collaboration that balances regulatory demands with operational realities.
For shipping companies, adopting new fuels often involves financial and technical hurdles. Pooling provides a flexible mechanism that reduces these barriers while encouraging early adopters to lead the way. For fuel suppliers, working with operators ensures stability and scale that cannot be achieved in isolation.
This kind of partnership highlights how maritime decarbonization is not a single-company challenge. It is a collective effort where collaboration becomes a competitive advantage.
Broader Implications for the Maritime Sector
The significance of this development goes beyond the Baltic region. Other shipping corridors can learn from the pooling model, particularly those facing similar regulatory timelines under FuelEU Maritime.
Pooling offers an alternative to compliance shortfalls, while also incentivizing investment in cleaner fuels. By using established LNG infrastructure, bio-LNG provides a smoother transition for operators compared to more nascent fuels like hydrogen or ammonia. This pragmatic approach can accelerate emissions reduction in the near term while leaving room for innovation in the future.
For policymakers, such partnerships offer proof that regulation can stimulate constructive industry action rather than stifle it. The compliance pool does not weaken ambition but makes it more achievable.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Viking Line and Gasum represents a forward-thinking approach to maritime sustainability. By leveraging bio-LNG, embracing pooling mechanisms, and investing in long-term infrastructure, the two companies are not only meeting regulatory requirements but shaping a model that others can replicate.
This initiative demonstrates that sustainability in shipping is not about isolated actions but about integrated strategies that combine technology, regulation, and partnership.
As the maritime industry continues to navigate regulatory deadlines and fuel transitions, collaborations like this provide a clear message. Practical, scalable, and cooperative solutions are not only possible but already underway. The Baltic Sea route between Turku and Stockholm is now more than a passenger link. It is a living example of how maritime sustainability can be delivered today, while laying the foundation for tomorrow.